Sugar patted his friend on the back. “We should go.”

Todd leaned down, touching his temple to mine. I was more curious than offended, so I waited, unmoving.

Sugar leaned forward, waiting to pounce. His navy-blue button-down hid the monster beneath. He was a brick wall, maybe even more than Tyler, and just as tall. They both had a buzz cut, but Sugar was less unleashed bull dog, and more trained soldier.

“Maybe we’ll join you,” Todd said, turning to look at me. He smiled, far too close to my face, but I didn’t recoil. He was reckless, and I needed to be in the front row to witness whatever happened next.

“Todd,” Sugar warned, “Maddox’s been drinking.”

“So have I,” Todd said, smiling at me. “What’s your name, beautiful?”

“That’s it,” I said, mirroring his expression. “That’s my name.”

“Beautiful?” he asked, amused.

“Mercer,” Tyler said, his voice booming over the music. He stood close behind Todd, taunting him with the lack of personal space he offered.

Sugar stood up. “We’re leaving, Maddox.”

One side of Tyler’s mouth turned up, but he didn’t take his eyes away from Todd’s. “Not with all these pretty girls just getting here.”

Paige touched my hand and I squeezed, not because I was afraid, but because the spike in testosterone was making my lady parts cry out in the best kind of pain.

Zeke stood up, too, and the bartenders took notice.

Todd and Tyler stared each other down for a solid twenty seconds until Todd finally spoke. “I’m curious.”

“I’m sure I can answer,” Tyler said.

“If you’re worth a fuck without your brother around.”

Tyler’s eyes sparked with excitement. “Don’t just get my hopes up, Mercer. Swing or shut the fuck up.”

Without thinking, I stood between them, looking up. “Why do guys do that? Why do they call each other by their last names? Is saying the first name a pussy thing to do? Is it too intimate?”

Sugar reached out for me. “C’mere, Ellie.”

My face twisted. “They’re not going to do anything.”

“We’re not?” Todd asked, unsure if he should be insulted or relieved.

I touched his shoulders, reaching up on the balls of my feet to softly kiss his cheek. “You’ll thank me later.” I lifted my knee, sinking it deep into his groin. He doubled over, and then fell forward in the fetal position while everyone stood around in shock.

“Hey! Get the fuck outta here!” Annie yelled.

Tyler grabbed my hand and rushed out, pushing through the door and running down the alley, and then down the street. Our shoes crunched through the snow as we cut through a light flurry. Tyler didn’t stop until we reached his white crew cab Dodge truck, his friends close behind.