Total pages in book: 83
Estimated words: 81285 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 406(@200wpm)___ 325(@250wpm)___ 271(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 81285 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 406(@200wpm)___ 325(@250wpm)___ 271(@300wpm)
“Heard about that. Heard he’d helped restock the bar, too.”
“Fixed a damn good meal last night.”
“That he did.”
“You think it’ll last?”
“I don’t know.” I took a drink of coffee. “He’s not planning on staying long. In fact, he was supposed to check out a place yesterday.”
“I could make some calls… Any idea what he’s looking for?”
“No clue. I figure he’s just trying to find something he can afford. It can be a lot with all the deposits and shit, but I’ll help if he needs it.”
“Just let me know if I can do anything to help.”
“Appreciate that.” I paused for a moment, then told him, “I don’t regret giving him a chance.”
“Good.” He lifted his cup, then turned and started out of the room. “I hope it stays that way.”
Once he was gone, I exhaled, letting go of tension that I didn’t even realize I was carrying. It was going to be okay. It had to be.
The clubhouse was waking up now. Doors were opening and closing. Voices were drifting down the hall, and the guys were filing in. Life was moving forward like it always did, and it was time for me to do the same.
I rinsed my mug and set it in the sink, then headed for the door. On a whim, I turned to the left. Figured I’d take the opportunity to check in on my big brother and make sure he was squared away for the day.
I stopped at his door and knocked.
No response.
I knocked again, a little harder, and yet again, no answer.
I tried the handle and eased it open a few inches. My gut dropped the second my eyes reached his bed. Davis was dead asleep, sprawled out on the mattress like he didn’t have a care in the world, and right next to him was Chasity, one of the club’s hang-arounds.
She lifted her head, and the second her eyes met mine, I waved her off, letting her know to go back to sleep. I shut the door, and all the good I’d been feeling about my brother went right out the window.
Damn.
8
PRESLEY
“Be at the clubhouse at seven.”
“What for?”
“Because I said so.”
“You have to give me more than that.”
“I already told you,” he snapped. “They’re having a party, and Luke expects us to be there.”
“I’ve never been to a club party before.”
“It’s just a damn party. Throw on some jeans and something that makes your tits look good.”
“You’re so crude.”
“Well, you could always skip the party and find another way to come up with a hundred grand.”
“I’ll be there.”
“That’s a good girl. And be sure to stop by the liquor store and pick up a fifth of Buffalo Trace.”
Before I could even think about arguing, he ended the call, leaving me even more annoyed. But I sucked it up and went to my room to start getting ready. I was looking for something to wear when Lila Kate came in and plopped down on the bed. “Whatcha doing?”
“Getting ready to go to some stupid party at the clubhouse.”
“Ooohh, can I go?”
“No.”
“But why not?”
“Haven’t you already gotten us into enough trouble?”
“Hey, that’s not fair.”
“But it’s true.” I pulled out a fitted V-neck top and held it up against my chest. “What do you think about this one?”
“Depends on what you’re planning to wear with it.” She jumped up and opened my bottom dresser drawer, pulling out a pair of my distressed jeans. “It’d look great with these.”
“I forgot I had those.” I took them from her hand and held them up. “You don’t think the holes are too much?”
“The holes are what make them cool. You have to fix your hair and wear those big hoop earrings I gave you last Christmas.”
“You don’t think I’ll look out of place?”
“Babe, you’re gonna look out of place no matter what you wear, so you might as well go all out.”
“If you say so.”
I spent the next hour trying to amp myself up for this club party. I’d even had a glass of wine, hoping it would settle my nerves.
No such luck.
I was a wreck.
It didn’t help matters that the clubhouse was packed wall to wall. The bar was filled with music and laughter, and while everyone looked to be having a great time, I couldn’t have felt more out of place. Everyone had someone. A shoulder to lean on, a warm smile to chat with, or a significant other to share the night with, but I was flying solo.
Yeah, you heard that right.
I was sitting alone at the bar, nursing my second shot, while Davis was across the room, talking to a couple of women I’d never seen before. And they were laying it on thick.
Laughing too loud.
Touching his arm when they spoke.
Batting their fake eyelashes that were two sizes too big while shoving their perfect breasts right in his stupid face.