It took my eyes a moment to adjust to the dim lighting.The interior of the bar was loud, but compared to the crowd outside, it was bearable.The bar itself was tucked along the back wall.Tables were scattered around the main room.
Some ceiling-mounted screens advertised specials and the on-tap offerings, while others streamed a variety of sports and news channels.The air was thick with the scent of fried food, warm bodies, and spilled beer.The combination should have been revolting, but instead it immediately put me at ease.This could have been any of the bars on any of the stations we spent our leave on.
“I see Finn!”Burn grabbed my hand, dragging me away from Lacy and toward our teammate.
27
Lacy
Burn dragged Daxtoward a table near the back wall.I took a minute to breathe and get my bearings.Competition for spacer cash was fierce.Good food drew them in and good fights kept them coming back.Moya’s Place had the best of both on Rigel Naught.
It had been a few years, but I’d been here before with my dad and his crew.I didn’t expect anyone to recognize me, especially since my larger-than-life father tended to draw every eye in the room, but my nerves flared to life anyway.
Once my eyes adjusted to the light, I sought out my companions.Dax and Burn had reached their friend.A white guy with blond hair, Finn had a hint of shadow on his jaw, circles under his eyes, and a smirk on his lips.Burn greeted him enthusiastically, but his greeting didn’t seem quite as effusive.Dax shook hands with Finn then did that hug–back slap combo that men did.When they separated, Dax turned and searched the crowd for me.He tilted his head, a concerned smile on his face.
I’d intended my smile to be reassuring, but whatever he saw on my face made him frown deeper.
Crap.Might as well get this over with.
I found that same loose-hipped swagger, the one that said I belonged here and that I’d used to cut through the crowds, and made my way across the much smaller space toFortuna’s crew.
Every step felt like I was walking a tightrope.Dax and his comrades were tight and I was obviously the outsider.But being onFortunaand now on Rigel Naught felt right.I’dmissedthis.Missed ship life and adventure and exploring new ports of call.Dax’s ship—hell, Dax’s presence —felt more like home than Elegium Station ever had.
Finn had staked out a booth near the back of the bar.It was curved, allowing everyone to sit with their back to the wall.Smart.
“Lacy, Finn.”Dax made the introductions.“Finn, Lacy.”
“Hi, Finn.”
“Hey,” he said in return.
I offered my hand.He took it, but I got the sense he only did so because it was expected.
We dropped hands after two pumps, almost like we’d choreographed it.
“Have a seat.”He gestured toward the booth and indicated all of us.
At first no one moved.Then Burn slid in first.Finn followed, sitting on the outside edge of the booth.
Dax stood silently and I knew he was waiting for me.Hating the thought of being trapped in the middle, I didn’t have much of a choice, unless I wanted to cause problems right off the bat.
I slid across the seat toward Burn.
Dax slid in next to me.The press of his outer thigh against mine was a warm, welcome weight, but it didn’t counter the feeling of being trapped.
“We’re getting the team back together!”Burn’s exclamation was loud enough that nearby tables looked at us.
“She’s not part of the team,” Finn grumbled.
Burn slapped his arm.“She’s temporary crew.Dax said he picked her up on Elegium Station, but I’m still not sure if they’re sleeping together or not.”
My jaw dropped and I tried to melt into the shadows.
“Burn,” Dax said.
“Sorry, Sarge,” Burn said, though she didn’t sound sorry at all.
He just sighed and shook his head.“Burn’s right, though.She’s crew for now.A combination of mechanic and consultant.”
