Where She Least Expects It

Chapter 3

It was time for a bachelorette party. Becky was dressed, her hair and makeup fixed, and just slipping the incredibly high heels on her feet. She had things for Alli, a sash and crown, in order to make her feel special tonight. She heard someone knocking on her door and assumed it was the driver of the limo that she had hired. It would drive them around until the last bar, then they would get rides home with the men.

She walked out the door and locked up, hearing whistles coming from the limo. Claire was waiting for her with the door open. Her mom and Alli were already inside. They would pick Lisa up on the way.

"Have mercy!" Claire exclaimed, "you look even better in that today!"

"Thank you," Becky smiled and looked in the limo and saw the other two women smiling. She was a little worried about her mom's reaction, but she seemed fine with it.

"Honey, you look amazing."

"Really? It's not too...revealing?"

"Well since you aren't sixteen anymore, I believe it's your decision, right?"

She nodded and focused on Alli, "well my dear, let's get you fixed up!"

They got on the road, and she got everything out for Alli. The woman had taken no time in becoming the sister Becky never had. She wanted nothing more than a great night for her, but she also hoped a little that she would actually be noticed.

They began their rounds. Becky was surprised from the very first bar, men were buying her drinks! She had been asked to dance a few times. She had even been given a few numbers. She doubted she would call them...she didn't know a thing about them after all. It was nice , though, to feel appreciated. Who cares if she was showing a little skin tonight?

Hours later, they finally made it to the last bar where the men were. In truth, she had been less worried about her mom than she was about her dad and brothers. They weren't going to be sitting together, and they were supposed to leave them alone for the evening. She noticed them all looking their way as they walked to their own table. She hadn't noticed any of them looking too long at her, but then she didn't check to make sure.

She ordered drinks for them all at the bar, and the man next to her was trying to chat with her. Luckily, she got the drinks fast and left again. For some reason, she had lost a little of the fire she had in her throughout the rest of the night. Hopefully a few drinks and some dancing would fix that.

"Alli! Let's dance!"

"Come on!" Alli grabbed Claire too and they headed to the dance floor.

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Tom was with Brandon and his brothers and a few other friends. They had been there for awhile, content to just hang out and drink. Tripp and Sean had found a few women to chat up, but Tom didn't really feel like going into that song and dance tonight.

It didn't get too interesting until the women showed up...make that one woman in particular.  They came in, and he immediately noticed a leggy brunette in heels and an outfit that was barely there.  On second thought, maybe he would go into that song and dance tonight...just for her.  He was starting to feel a little warm when she turned around.  For a few minutes, his mind went blank as he stared at her.  When it finally started working again, he still wasn't able to process it.  This was...Becky...his best friend's little sister...the girl that had always been like his little sister.  Problem is, he definitely didn't feel brotherly. 

He tore his gaze away from her and looked at the other men.  Brandon and his brothers were staring at her too, but they looked something more like mad.  Their dad was trying to tell them to calm down, but he didn't look too happy either. 

"I'm gonna go over there and tell her to find something else to wear," Tripp was saying.

Mike looked over at him, "no, you're not.  She's old enough to make her own decisions.  We may not agree, but that doesn't mean we can do anything about it."

Sean was next to disagree, "are you kidding me?  What the hell have we been doing ever since she was old enough for boys to notice her?  We make sure she covers up and threaten the hell out of anyone that looks at her."

"Guys, as much as I hate to say this, I think dad's right.  We can't keep doing this...we have to trust her."  Brock looked like he wanted to cut his tongue off for even saying it.

Brandon finally chimed in, "they're right.  She's old enough, and she can handle herself.  She's stronger and smarter than we give her credit for."

Dino started laughing, "I'll go tell her!"

"And you're wife will crucify you," Mike said laughing.  "You guys are going to have to loosen the hold you've had on your sister for all these years.  Give her a chance to prove herself."

It was true, the four Stone brothers had started early on scaring the daylights out of anyone that even came close to Becky.  They may have thought it was for her own good, but what if they were the reason behind this blatant rebellion of hers tonight?  One thing was for sure, he would enjoy it from afar for the evening and try to keep a lid on the thoughts he was having...the last thing he needed was to get on his friends' bad sides. 

He watched Becky discretely as she drank and danced.  There were no shortage of men around their group, Becky especially.  She didn't pay them too much attention, but he had seen a few of them give her a piece of paper and she stuck it in her purse.  For some reason, every time he saw it happen, he was a little more on edge.  He was trying to tell himself that this was Becky, and it was just protectiveness. 

As the night wore on, though, he was starting to wonder if that was even anywhere's close to the truth.

Brandon's dad came over to talk to him for a bit.  He wasn't sure if he had noticed the staring or not.  Mike was like a second dad to him.  "So, Tom, how is everything?"

"It's good...really good.  Practice is doing great, rentals are all full.  I couldn't ask for more."

"Is there anyone else around to share it with?" 

Tom let out a sigh, "not at the moment, no."

Mike seemed to understand exactly what Tom was feeling even though he hadn't said a word...must be some sort of fatherly instinct that he had honed over the years.  He nodded, "don't give up.  These things take time son."

"Thanks."

Mike left and went over to his wife to ask her for a dance.  He envied their connection.  Years of marriage and they're relationship only seemed to grow stronger with each passing year.  Tom knew that with patience, maybe someday he could have that too.  It wasn't always easy to wait in the meantime though.  For some reason, he lifted his head and watched Becky again as she danced with her friend Claire.

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