Landon's fingers wrap around my upper arm and he pulls me off the Latino, who looks taken aback.

"Sorry, señor," he raises up his hands. "I didn't mean no trouble."

"You didn't," I tell him, scowling at Landon, who doesn't look at me but glowers at the other guy. "I'm sorry about my friend." The guy nods and disappears in the crowd.

"What the fuck, Landon?" I turn to him, wrenching my arm free. "What the hell did you do that for? I was having fun."

"Yeah, I noticed," he scowls. "A little bit too much, don't you think?"

I take a step back. "I'm allowed to do whatever hell I want, with whoever the hell I want. The last I checked, I'm still single. And I wasn't even doing anything other than dancing." I emphasize the last word, narrowing my eyes.

"Looked a bit more than that to me. I'm just shocked you still have all your clothes on."

I flinch as if he'd hit me. "Is that so?"

His eyes soften a little as if he regrets his words. I don't give him a change to apologize.

"I'm not your property. Nor am I the slut you obviously think I am," I spit and push him back. He falters, taking a few steps backwards. I stalk off, shaking my head at Stella's concerned look. She obviously saw the whole thing.

I make my way through the crowd to the bar and order a vodka soda, which I down instantly and order a second one.

"What was that all about?" Nate comes to lean against the bar next to me, ordering himself a rum cola.

"What was?" I ask, trying to look clueless. He just gives me a look that says he's not stupid.

"Is there something going on between you and Landon?"

I avoid his eyes, not knowing what to say, my hands starting to sweat. "No."

"Avery..."

"Look, we're not dating, okay?" I snap. Regretting my tone, I take a deep breath and remind myself it's not Nate I'm angry at. " So don't worry. I'm not getting between your friendship."

"Not what I was worried about," he says, taking a sip of his drink. I look at him surprised. He gives me a small smile.

"I'm not stupid, you know. I've seen you two these last few days. And while I wish it was anyone but my friend, I actually think you'd be good for each other."

"What?" I can't wrap my mind around it. Nate would be okay with us dating? His best friend and little sister.

He rolls his eyes, as if I'm dense. "It's obvious. You're the only one not seeing it. Or you're just denying it."

I look down, hating how well he knows me. "Yeah well, it doesn't matter now. He's an ass."

Nate chuckles. "Sometimes. But you have your moments as well."

I open my mouth, shocked. "Hey!" I slap his shoulder playfully. "You should be on my side!"

He laughs. "I love you, but you can be hell of a stubborn when you want to."

"I am not," I whine, but only half-heartedly. "But like I said, it doesn't matter anymore. I'm not some possession of his he can order around."

"Avery" Nate says, facepalming himself, obviously frustrated with me. "The guy was jealous! You were grinding against some other guy in front of him. And yes," he holds up his hand to stop me from firing back, "you're right, you're not his property. He was in the wrong. But still, can you really blame him for acting like he did?"

I think about it for a minute. I can understand him being jealous, but he didn't have to act like that. And what he said... "He basically called me a slut," I tell him, seething. "So yeah, I can blame him." And all I did was dance.

"What?" my brother looks like he's been hit in the head. "He did what?"

"Forget I said anything," I say quickly, recognizing the murderous look on his face. "Nate!" I yell after him as he gets up and leaves.

I try to go after him but lose him in the crowd. Damn it. I search the club, craning my neck to spot either my brother or the asshat. Finally I catch a familiar head of brown hair. I rush across the floor to the backdoor the two idiots just walked through.

I'm at a dark alley, music playing faintly through the door. Then I spot the two, facing off. Nate is saying something to Landon, who is looking really uncomfortable. He scratches his head, mumbling something incoherent.

I see the muscles in Nate's arms tense as his hands form fists at his side. My eyes widen and I'm about to shout a warning when Nate's fist strikes through the air and stops an inch from Landon's face.

My mouth drops open in surprise, as does Landon's. He looks at my brother warily, then nods in understanding.

"Nate!" I shout, rushing toward them. He turns around, looking like he's just been caught red-handed. Landon groans, clearly embarrassed I saw that.

"What the fuck? You almost hit him! Gosh!" I stop in front of my brother.

"I didn't, though," he shrugs, but does look a little apologetic. "Just a warning. He deserved it."

"I did" Landon agrees, much to my surprise. "Look, I shouldn't have said what I said," he looks at me, his eyes begging. "I'm sorry."

I swallow and look away, feeling Nate's eyes on me.

"I'm gonna head inside" Nate points over his shoulder. "Landon," he fixes a hard look on his friend before he turns around and leaves us alone.

"Uh, you okay?" I ask.

"Fine," he replies. "So, Nate knows."

I nod, wincing. "Yeah, he kinda figured it out. Not that he's mad about it."

"He's not?" His brows come up. I guess neither of us give him enough credit.

"Nope," I say, then look away. "Just about you basically calling me a slut."

"I'm really sorry," he apologizes, taking a few steps closer to me. "I was seeing red. Seeing you dance like that, with someone else...I just, snapped. It's not an excuse, I should've never grabbed you like that."

I nod.

"So, are we cool?" he asks, a look of deep regret in his eyes. I can't help but forgive him, especially after Nate already defended my honor.

"Yeah, we're cool," I say, and his shoulders relax in relief. "As long as you don't do it again."

"I promise I'll restrain myself the next time."

I laugh. "I don't think there's going to be a next time."

He raises his brow and I explain. "I should've taken your feelings into consideration," I admit, feeling a bit ashamed of myself.

His eyes soften. "Yeah, well, you were right. You're not mine. You can do whatever you want."

I nod, "I know. But...I don't want to hurt you, so..."

He closes the space between us, taking my hand in his. I look up at him and he lowers his head. My breath hitches. His lips are inches away from me. I close my eyes, wanting nothing more than to close the gap. I can feel his cool breath on my lips, and then he steps back. I open my eyes and find him looking at me amused.

"You didn't think I'd let you win that easily, did you?" he grins smugly. I narrow my eyes at him. Damn the bet. "But from the way you just wanted to kiss me, you'll crack soon. And then I'm taking you on the best date of your life."

I purse my lips. "I don't lose. Ever."

He smirks. "You will this time." At that he leads me back inside, my mind reeling. Losing the bet doesn't seem so bad anymore. But I'm not one to fold, it's just not in my nature. Oh you're going down, boy, I think as I let him pull me to the dance floor where the others have gathered.