“You just said yourself that you know I need the help. It’s cheaper to pay you than one of those fucks that wants to steal me blind.”
“For now, I will take it.”
“?‘Earn’ it, man. It’s not ‘taking’ shit.”
“Cool. I’ll gladly step in even when I’ve sorted my shit.”
“You wanna fill me in on your plans?”
“Not yet. Still need to see what’s coming in before I make the move.”
“You free tonight?” Hendrix asks from my doorway.
“Sure, what’s up?”
“Married Livi two months ago today. I was gonna go eat dinner at the bar, but I’d rather eat it in bed. You mind going down and helping close up later?”
“Who’s working?”
“Does it matter?” he asks.
“Thursday night: Hailey’s working,” I state, and he nods. “Sure, I can handle it.”
“Mail came today with something from an insurance company, and something from Vegas police?”
“No shit?”
I walk over and grab the envelopes off the counter, then go to my room, where I open up the one from the Vegas police first. Apparently, Monte is pleading not guilty. I have no clue how the idiot thinks he can pull that off. It makes me laugh out loud, until I read the part about me being called to testify against him.
Now little momma is gonna find out, and I know she will be pissed. I have to tell her sooner rather than later. I have a few weeks, though. Three, to be exact.
Fuck, she’s pissed now. I try real damn hard to keep the physical contact to a minimum, but I still give her a hug once in a while. You bet your ass it’s quick, though, or I’d be popping wood.
I see her look at my lips, and I know she wants me in that mouth as bad as I do, but I can’t, not yet. Things need to be solid, and I am gonna make damn sure she is the one making that first move. But God help her when she does.
The next envelope is the insurance check for my totaled car. The green is gonna come in handy, but it still pisses me off that that asshole rolled up on me the way he did. He’ll get his. In prison, someone will roll up on his ass, and then he’ll see what it feels like to be taken from behind with no fucking warning.
—
As soon as I walk into the bar, Livi grabs her things, then gives me a squeeze. “Thanks.”
“No problem.”
She practically runs out the door.
The place is hopping; it has been for a few months now. Caldwell’s is the place to be.
Hailey’s behind the bar, running her little ass off, so I get behind there with her.
“Here to help.”
“Do I look like I need help?”
Piss-ass, I think. “The place is three deep, so yeah, you need some help.”
“Coolers could use stocking, and the Miller Lite keg is nearing its end. You could change that. Other than that, I got this.” She doesn’t miss a beat, continues pouring shots, filling cups, and taking in cash while she speaks.
“Sure thing, boss lady.” I laugh, unable to help myself, and she stops dead in her tracks, then looks at me, pissed.
I don’t look away.
“Hey, sweet-ass, I’m empty,” a guy yells.
I whip my head around, ready to lose my shit, when she yells back, “Sweet-ass? Is that all you can come up with, Romeo?” She laughs as she pours a shot.
“It’s mighty fine,” the fuckhead says, giving her a wink.
She hands him the shot, and he hands her a ten.
“You think it’s okay to talk shit like that to me?”
“Damn.” The guy smiles. “Probably not. Probably should be on one knee, asking you to marry me.”
“You do know you have a better chance of seeing God, right, Ricky?”
“So you keep telling me.”
She looks at Jared. “Man has a thick skull, but he tips well.”
“Keep the change, girl.” Rick laughs.
She rings him up, then throws the extra eight bucks in her overflowing tip jar before she looks over at me.
I am still pissed. “Say the word, and I will throw his ass—”
“The guy’s drunk and likes to talk shit, Caldwell. He means no harm. You gonna stand in my way or change the keg?”
I change the keg, stock the coolers, and stand back, watching her work the crowd. She is just as much of a hard-ass with them as she is with me. The exception is Jared; they seem to be tight. They live in the same building now, too.
Jared may look like he’s in his forties with that thick-ass beard and wild hair, but he’s only in his early thirties. I really hope nothing is going on with the two of them, ’cause I like the guy and don’t wanna have to kill his ass.
She busts her ass all night, and anytime I try to help, I get the look, the one that’s supposed to intimidate yet in reality turns me the fuck on. So I grab the stool behind the bar and park my ass in it.
“Morrison?” I look up as a couple of women make their way over to me.
“Hey, Patsy, Tina, what’s up?” I give them the smile they are accustomed to.
“It’s Thursday—ladies’ night—and we came all the way here thinking we might get to see you and your brothers on the bar.”