Gracelyn walked toward the door.
“Hey, wait up. I’m heading over to the bar. I’ll walk with you or drive you, if that’s okay,” Buzzard said.
Britt watched her friends walk out the door. Gracelyn was strong. She’d had to be after her husband was killed, but Gracelyn had also kept the softness. Sometimes she seemed fragile, as if a stiff wind could knock her down. They all watched out for her, especially the guys. There was no way they would allow those children to lose both parents.
Well, she’d spent enough time pining over the hot guy. She wasn’t sure why she wasstalking him because the odds of her seeing him again, when he didn’t know where she lived, were minuscule. He’d ruined her quest, but she couldn’t trust him with the truth. He’d been the guy at the right time, helping her, but what if he was actually a part of the trafficking? He could have been sent in to see if she was for real or a trap.
But now, her face had been seen, so she wouldn’t get to play the damsel in distress next time on that road, which sucked. She’d worked hard on that scenario for the quest, and in minutes, biker boy had screwed it up. Despite all that, she still couldn’t get him off her mind.
She’d go help pick out Legos for her buddy, and then maybe she’d go hang out at the bar and check her online auctions. She’d become obsessed with Legos, and there were a couple retired ones that she was specifically interested in. Maybe they’d keep her mind off the storm-chasing biker.
Chapter Five
Twist glanced around the bar at all the groups in town due to the bad weather. The forecast was looking like they’d see something around three a.m. Dex had ridden up from Bluff Creek to go storm chasing with Twist. At least Twist knew Dex wouldn’t be on the floor screaming. When he’d left the military, he, Dex, and Booker had ridden around until War and Bear had offered them a place to land. Dex had gone storm chasing multiple times before settling in Bluff Creek.
Twist was enjoying spending time with his buddy from the military. When you’dlived so closely with someone, words weren’t even needed. Which had been a blessing since Twist had spent about two hours researching the town of Honey Creek and Britt. The town had lost two of its own a couple years ago when they were murdered. Twist had zero doubts that Britt had known the two people. Honey Creek was too small a town for her not to have. He wondered if the woman had been a close friend. Her age had put her close to what Twist imagined Britt’s age to be.
Twist felt for Britt. He, Booker, and Dex had lost friends while serving. It didn’t get any easier, and he still missed his friends. He imagined the ties would be even deeper if they’d grown up in a small town together.
He was glad he’d be busy tonight chasing because he was finding it excruciatingwaiting to get to talk with Compass and Maureen when their trip was over.
Twist recognized some of the people who were in town for the storm, as did Dex. Dex could be the life of the party but was also deadly when he needed to be. Twist was sipping cola. He wasn’t drinking because he planned on chasing this storm tonight, and beer made him sleepy. Sometimes it sucked getting older, but Twist wouldn’t be saying that to Dex. They might be the same age, but Dex acted as if he was still in his thirties. Twist could hear his own body popping and crackling like a breakfast cereal when he got up. Dex never complained about any of that.
Twist checked another site for radar. Three different storms moving toward the area had potential. It was figuring out which one had the best chance.
“Another drink?” the bartender asked.
“No, thanks, but is the kitchen still serving? I debated which side to get, and now I’m wanting the other one.”
The bartender grinned. “It’s still open. You’re wanting those cheese sticks with marinara you passed up, or you want one of the platters that has the French fries, onion rings, and cheese sticks?” she asked.
“You sold me. Platter it is,” Twist said.
Twist always had good intuition about storms. His parents had always been amazed by how he checked out anything from the local library about weather from a young age. He’d planned on studying meteorology and being one of those weather reporters who were in the craziest storms leaning sideways, but then the 9/11 terrorist attacks happened. His dad had served, and Twist had considered serving but had gone toschool first. He’d graduated in May and was taking the summer to storm chase before looking for a job in the fall. But in the fall, his plans had changed. He enlisted five days after 9/11 and never looked back.
Twist loved visiting these older small-town bars. Pool tables and darts in the corner, and some televisions in another section of the bar. They gave you free popcorn. Of course they did. It had a decent amount of salt and butter. Salt and butter would make people thirsty, and they’d buy more drinks. Twist had to appreciate their marketing plan.
They even still had a jukebox. Most of the songs this evening had been country. There were about six people hanging out in the bar—a couple who looked to be amateur storm chasers, along with some townspeople. Dex had joined them a few times to playpool. Now, he was over feeding some bills into the jukebox. Twist had to wonder what Dex was going to play.
When Dex headed toward him, Twist was immediately on guard because of the smirk on Dex’s face.
“Why are you so sad sitting over here? I’ve gone chasing with you before. You’re usually hyped,” Dex said.
Twist rolled his eyes, then tried to get his friend off track. “You’re imagining things. Probably all that perfume rotting your brain. Did you rub up against them while playing pool? You smell like at least three different scents.”
“Oh, nice deflection there. The next song is for you because I’m positive it’s what you’re feeling,” Dex said, tossing popcorn into the air and catching it in his mouth.
The music started, and Twist wondered if he could leave Dex here and chase alone. Hunter Hayes’Everybody’s Got Somebody But Mewas playing.
“I’m not sad,” Twist said.
“Okay, maybe sad isn’t the correct word, but I’ve had a lot of experience at Bluff Creek seeing guys fall one after another for a woman. You have the same look on your face. Who is she, and why aren’t you with her?” Dex asked, winking at the waitress.
Twist huffed, staring at his friend. Dex was like a freaking dog with a bone. He’d keep hounding Twist until he knew what Twist was thinking. Twist didn’t really feel like pouring his heart out here in the bar, but he also didn’t want Dex pulling and prying until he got it out of him.
“You are the biggest gossip. If I tell you, is it immediately going into a text to Bluff Creek and the Nelsons?” Twist grumbled.
“Just because I like to share news doesn’t mean I don’t want to know just because you’re my friend. You are in a mood. Oh man, please tell me that you didn’t bring the guitar and that while we’re waiting, I’m not going to have to listen to you sing about your lost love,” Dex said.
