by Tawny Weber
“I think I have an idea,” Drake said.
“God save us,” Darius groaned.
“Seriously, Drake, you don’t need to help,” Mason backpedaled. The last thing he needed was Drake Avery to insert himself.
“No seriously, it’s a good plan.”
“Okay, tell us,” Finn prodded.
“It’s still in its infancy. Let me do a little bit more planning.”
“Oh God, save us,” Finn groaned.
“Here, here,” Darius seconded. Mason clasped his head in his hands. This did not bode well.
Sophia, Beth, and Lydia were still slightly stunned as they sat in Ashley’s bedroom. She had moved out of the home she had shared with Sophia’s father. Now she was living in a gated community in a ritzy suburb of San Diego not far from her parent’s home. What had the three women so amazed was the built-in lit make-up area that looked like something you would see backstage in a theater dressing room. Currently, Ashley was applying her make-up.
“Close your mouths, girls. Beth, you’re next.”
“I couldn’t possibly.”
“Not only am I doing your make-up but I've also picked outfits for each of you.”
“I’m happy with what I’m wearing,” Lydia said decisively. “And there isn’t a chance in hell you’re doing my make-up.”
“Lydia, I love you to pieces, but hon, you only have on eyeliner, lipstick, and mascara. I’ve never seen you wear anything else. Do you even know how to apply more makeup?” Sophia watched as Lydia squirmed.
“Seriously, girls. Don’t you want to learn how to apply makeup?”
“I would,” Beth said shyly.
“That’s why you’re next.”
“I’m satisfied with what I have.” Lydia was resolute.
“Fine. But I’ve arranged for someone to come in to do hair and make-up for Sophia’s wedding. Frannie and Margie are thrilled and you’ll have to suck it up.”
“I–” Lydia started to protest.
“That better be the sound of you sucking,” Ashley said.
“That’s gross.” Sophia felt like she was watching a tennis game between two evenly matched players.
“Lydia, are you trying to tell me my makeup doesn’t look good?” Ashley demanded.
Sophia knew her friend had won. “No,” was Lydia’s soft reply. Ashley took out some wipes and cleaned her face.
“Voila, a blank canvass. This is really simple and it doesn’t take much.”
Sophia went over to watch, with Beth and Lydia following. Ashley was right, she really didn’t apply a lot and the transformation was subtle but amazing. She got up and pushed Beth into the chair. Soon Beth’s big black eyes were even bigger and sparkled like gems.
“Lydia?”
“Okay. But I’m not changing outfits.”
In the end, all four girls were wearing cute dresses from Ashley’s closet, their eyes sparkled, and their lips were plump and shiny.
“Now we are going to the cutest little place for dinner. It’s in the Gaslamp Quarter and the waiters are big ole flirts. They pour the best martinis. You’ll love it.”
“I’m not drinking I’m the designated driver,” Lydia said.
“Girl, you’re getting on my last nerve.” Ashley rolled her eyes. “I have you covered. I’ve arranged for a limo tonight. He’s even going to drive you home. He has a partner who will drive your car home behind us. It’s all good.”
Sophia was amazed. To think this girl had been under her father’s thumb and afraid to leave him. As if she read her mind, Ashley looked at her and winked.
“I’ve definitely come into my own. Tonight I intend to really enjoy myself.”
“Well, I draw the line at a strip club.”
“Eww. I don’t want some man wagging his thing at me in public either,” Ashley said. Sophia breathed a sigh of relief. “We are however going to a bar I know where they have karaoke and dancing.”
“I don’t sing,” Lydia said.
“That’s not true. Now you’re being stubborn. You need to pull the stick out of your butt,” Beth said to her sister. Sophia and Ashley laughed. Sophia never would have expected Beth to have said that to her sister.
“Okay, maybe I do sing,” Lydia relented. “But I’m going to need one or two of those martinis.”
Ashley’s phone beeped. “The limo is here. Let’s get a move on.”
“Give me your phone,” Sophia requested. “I want to see pictures of Louisa.” Ashley handed over the phone as they headed downstairs. Sophia thumbed through the pictures.
“I can’t believe how big she’s getting.”
“She’s beautiful like her sister, Sophia.” Ashley threw her arm around Sophia’s shoulder.
“I think she’s beautiful like her mother. Look at those dimples.” Ashley smiled and flashed a set that matched her daughter’s.
“Marrying your father was both the worst thing and the best thing that ever happened to me.”
“I totally get that,” Lydia said. “Being kidnapped meant I ended up with Clint and it was both the worst thing and the best thing.” Ashley held out her fist and Lydia bumped hers against it.
They got outside and saw the limo waiting in the street. In unison, they stared in disbelief.
“Your chariot awaits, ladies.”
“You’ve got to be shitting me,” Ashley said to Drake.
“What?” he said innocently. “Your driver got sick and I volunteered to take his place.”
Sophia stifled a giggle as she saw Ashley’s outraged face.
“This is totally unacceptable.” She pulled her cell phone out of her tiny little purse and started to dial. Drake walked over and casually pulled the phone out of her hands.
“Hey, you can’t do that.”
“I just did.”
“Seriously Drake, this is Sophia’s bachelorette party and you are not going to wet blanket it.”
“I’m not, I promise. Hell, I’m going to help you up on to the bar top if you want to dance there. I swear. I’m just going to make sure nobody takes advantage of four beautiful women.”
“I can take care of them. I’m taking them to safe places. I’m not stupid.”
“Nobody said you were stupid, but men are going to be crawling out of the woodwork when they get a load of the four of you. Did you do makeovers?” Sophia felt her cheeks heating as Drake took in her outfit. She watched as Beth took a step behind Lydia.
“Drake, are you making snide comments about how we look?” Lydia walked up to the man and shoved her finger into his chest.
“Fuck no, are you kidding? Lydia, Beth, and Sophia look hawt.” He turned to Ashley. “You’re a fucking menace. These three have always looked great, but you’ve turned up the dial to ten. If I were to take pictures of them right now, their men would be here so fast it would make y’alls head spin.” Ashley buffed her fingernails against the thin material of her blouse.
“I did good.”
“Too good. Which is why I’m here.”
“Jack sent you? He was worried about what I’d do?” Sophia loved seeing Beth start to build up a head of steam. It didn’t happen often but when it did it was a beautiful thing. “I’ve never given that man one damn thing to worry about.”
Drake held up his hands and backed up a step. “Whoa. This is totally my idea. Mason was worried so I–”
“Mason was worried?!” Sophia took up where Beth left off. “How dare he? I’m with Beth, I’ve never given him any reason to think I’d do anything to betray him.” She struggled with the tiny purse Ashley had given her so she could call Mason.
A shrill whistle rang out.
“Ladies, your men totally know you’re one hundred percent faithful to them. They worry about your safety. They think Ashley is a little bit crazy.” Sophia stopped fumbling with the purse. She had to agree with that assessment, Ashley was a little bit out there.
“They have no idea I’m here right now. This was all my idea and it was a brilliant one.”
Lydia snorted and Beth giggled. “Now get your beautiful tushies into the limo and allow me to chauffeur and protect you around town.” He opened the door for them. “Where are we headed?”
“The Gaslamp Quarter,” Ashley promptly responded.
“Figures. You know the limo won’t work down there, we’ll have to park and walk.” Drake griped.
“Oh, is it too much for the big bad SEAL?”
“Again, get your butts in the car. I like walking.”
“Drake, you’re one of a kind,” Ashley said kissing his cheek as she got into the back of the vehicle.
Served him right, Sophia thought as she sipped the pineapple flavored martini. Drake had promised to support them in their endeavors, and Ashley decided to take him up on it. The girl was literally dancing on top of the bar. How she’d known about this place, Sophia didn’t know. They’d left the relative safety of downtown San Diego and were now in a less well-known area.
She took another sip of her drink.
“I think it was a twenty dollar bill!” Beth exclaimed. Sophia squinted and nodded. Yep, the man had actually thrown a twenty at Ashley as she danced. She wasn’t the only one on the bar top but she was the only one in a dress. All the rest of the girls were wearing jeans. Her panties were clearly visible. Thank God she wasn’t wearing a thong.
Drake pulled another man away from the bar who tried to touch Ashley.
“Sophia, how many martinis have you had to drink?” Lydia asked.
“I don’t know? They aren’t really strong. Mostly pineapple juice,” she yelled above the music.
Lydia pulled the drink out of her hand and took a sip. “You’re cut off, girlfriend. I’m going to go get you a bottle of water. Beth, keep an eye on her.”
Sophia watched as Drake pulled yet another man away from the bar. He had thrown a bunch of bills at Ashley. Ashley was making a shooing motion at Drake, who was beginning to look a little harassed. It was clear he was regretting his promise to support their antics tonight.
Sophia felt a man’s hand sweep up her waist and she let out a cry. Sophia tried to elbow the man but missed. She was feeling too muzzy headed. She saw Drake look up and his face darken. Drake started making his way over to them, but he was too far away.
“Asshole. Keep your hands to yourself.” Beth’s arm shot out, and Sophia heard a grunt behind her. Lydia was beside her sister in a heartbeat and had Sophia wrapped in her arms. Beth was now standing over a man.
“Get up, I dare you,” Beth growled at the man.
“Bitch!” A redhead came up from behind Beth and pulled her hair. “That’s my boyfriend!”
“Well, he should have kept his hands to himself.” The woman swung wildly and Beth ducked. The woman hit a man who was standing behind Beth.
“What?” He looked confused and turned to the man next to him and shoved against him. Then all hell seemed to break loose. Sophia watched in awe as another man pushed against Beth, and Lydia grabbed him and threw him to the floor. But then she was elbowed and her head jerked back.
“You bastard, you hit my sister,” Beth cried. This time, Sophia was able to see the straight arm shot to the throat she must have performed on the man who had originally touched her. It was amazing and, this man too fell to the floor.
Lydia got a punch into his ribs on his way down. It was a beautiful sight to behold.
“Dammit! Cease and Desist! The next man or woman who comes next to these three dies!” Drake Avery roared. All movement close to them stopped. It was like they were in a little bubble of peace and quiet while mayhem surrounded them in the honky-tonk.
“What about Ashley?” Beth asked.
“Follow me.” He pulled Sophia in front of him and had Lydia and Beth take hold of his shirt. Stay close.” Every few feet he would stop and punch or elbow someone who got too close. Sophia saw one of the two Lydia’s throw a punch as well. Maybe there had been alcohol in her pineapple juice since she kept seeing double.
Ashley was still dancing on the bar while the fighting was going on at floor level. Drake strode across the club like a hot knife through butter. Sophia heard the faint sounds of sirens.
Two men were trying to climb up on the bar. Drake set Sophia aside, grabbed both of them by the back of their necks, and sent them flying backward.
“Ashley Richmond, get down immediately.” Ashley stopped mid-shimmy and assessed Drake. Then she wound her arms over her head, cocked her hip, and twirled.
Drake was a tall man, he leaned over the bar, grabbed her around the back of her knees and had her over his shoulder in one smooth move.
“You bastard,” she shrieked. Sophia looked at Beth and Lydia and knew she wore a similar expression of shocked amusement. Ashley had definitely met her match. They followed the two out of the bar and the sirens got louder, it was definitely fun to watch Drake try to subdue the pretty blonde without doing damage.
“Ashley, the cops will be here any moment,” Drake said desperately. “Would you quit acting like a spoiled three-year-old having a tantrum?” Ashley wiggled harder to get out of his arms.
“Quit manhandling me you big oaf.”
“We’re so going to jail.” One of the two Lydia’s yelled over the fighting.
They made it outside to the limo as the cops arrived. Drake poured Ashley inside the vehicle while Beth and Lydia helped Sophia in because it seemed like there were three doors.
Drake ran around to the driver’s seat and whisked them away. Vaguely Sophia noticed they weren’t headed towards Ashley’s house. But mostly she was looking up through the moon roof and counting stars.
“Oh shit. I think he’s taking us to Sophia’s house. We’re so fucking busted,” Lydia said.
“I’m not. Luckily I’ve had the good sense not to get involved with a SEAL.” Ashley sat calmly re-applying her lipstick.
“Lydia, I think you might be getting a black eye,” Beth said. That woke Sophia up out of her stupor. She peered at Lydia. Both of the Lydia’s in her vision definitely had a swollen eye.
“Ya shad ice,” Sophia said helpfully. All of the girls giggled.
“Are you feeling carsick?” Ashley asked.
“Nope. Feels floaty.”
Lydia depressed a button and the glass that separated the driver from the passengers slid down.
“Drake, why are we headed to Sophia’s house?”
“I’ve called your keepers.”
“What?”
“Y’all need keepers and I’ve called them. They’re meeting us there. Ashley, I’ve called in some extras, so be fucking thankful. If I hadn’t you’d be over my knee.”
“As if.”
“Exactly.” The glass slid up.
Ashley pulled her mascara out of her purse and started applying it. “What did he mean by extras?
“Holy shit. I think we might have problems.”
“I think you shouldn’t do any of the talking,” Lydia said. Beth slid her hand under her armpit.
“I think ya bose needs ice.”
“You’re right Lydia she can’t talk,” Beth agreed.
“What did Drake mean about extras?” Ashley asked again. The limo pulled to a stop. The door opened and there was Mason. He looked worried.
“Come here, baby.” He tugged at Sophia’s hand and she teetered as she got up to go over to him. He scooped her out of the car and carried her up the walkway into the house.
“I love it when you carry me.”
“Fuck Lydia, you’re hurt!”
“It’s nothing.” Sophia looked over Mason’s shoulder and she saw Clint carrying Lydia followed by Jack carrying Beth. In the rear, Drake had Ashley in a fireman’s hold but he had his suit coat over her so her butt was sufficiently covered.
“Are they all right?” Sophia looked up and saw Darius, the SEAL team medic, holding the front door of her home open. Mason sat on the couch with her in his lap.
“Dare, can you get some ice for Lydia?”
“Ah shit. Lydia, what happened?” Darius
asked as he headed towards the kitchen. Sophia saw Finn standing next to the fireplace. He looked amused, at least until Drake walked up to him and handed Ashley to him.
“She’s yours, buddy. If I have to deal with her anymore tonight…well, suffice it to say, it won’t end well.”
“Drake, face it. You’re not used to dealing with a female version of yourself,” Ashley said as Finn set her beside him. “I bet when you were my age you probably danced on the bar tops or the male equivalent.”
Finn laughed. “I think she might have you there.”
“What do you mean at your age? I’m not that much older than you,” Drake protested.
“You’re so old you forgot what fun is.”
A shrill whistle pierced the room and Sophia groaned.
“Sorry, honey. Drake. Ashley. Cut it out. Drake, I want a report,” Mason demanded.
“Somebody laid hands on Sophia. I was dealing with this one.” Drake jerked his thumb towards Ashley. “She was dancing on top of the bar so I was across the room. Sophia was with Beth at the time. Beth laid the guy out with a straight arm punch to the throat. It was the last thing I saw as I made my way over because the crowd was in my way.”
“Beth?” Finn questioned.
“Beth?” Mason asked.
“Beth? Are you sure it wasn’t Lydia?” Darius queried Drake.
“My hand hurts, Jack,” Beth whispered to her fiancé.
“Let me see.” Jack pulled Beth’s hand out from under her purse where she had been hiding it. “Dammit Beth, you’re supposed to use the heel of your hand. Dare, can you bring more ice.” Jack kissed her knuckles.
“I’ve been taking self-defense classes,” she explained to all of the amazed men.
“They’re paying off, slugger.” Drake laughed.
“I wan self daffy classes,” Sophia said to Mason. Mason shook his head.
“How much did you have to drink, honey?” he asked, tilting her chin up so he could brush her hair away from her face.
“Jus some pine juice. Was soooo good.”