“Yeah. We got a busted keg line and Stephanie just went racin’ off the floor toward the bathroom. Addy said she’s in there puking her guts up.”
A twitch formed in my eyelid as I blew out a breath and reached up to massage the dull ache between my eyes. If it wasn’t one thing, it was another. “Okay, Davis. Thanks for letting me know. I’ll be right out.”
“No problem. You need me to look after that little guy while you go put out these fires? I’m happy to help.”
A low, threatening rumble came from Raylan’s chest before he spoke. “Thanks, David, but I’ve got it. That’s why I’m here.”
Davis bristled at Raylan’s tone. “It’s Davis.”
“Sure, buddy. Whatever.”
I jerked my head around, a frown puckering my forehead as I whispered, “What has gotten into you?”
“It’s just that I know you aren’t really a fan of having random people in your office.” Davis cut his eyes back to Raylan for just a moment.
“It’s really okay?—”
Raylan cut me off. “Trust me, bud. I’m a hell of a lot more than some random guy. And this isourdog. We co-own it. So how about you leave me to taking care ofmydog and go pour some drinks, yeah?”
“Raylan!” I snapped, my jaw hinging open in shock. “Not cool, man.”
Davis spoke up, offering me a smile that would have probably melted the panties off at least half the women out in the bar just then. “No, it’s fine, Lenni. Don’t worry about it. I’m sure he can handle a tiny dog. I’ll give you a hand out here with the big stuff.”
I was so over this day and the pissing contest taking place in my office, so I did the only thing I could think to do. I shoved the puppy’s bottle at Raylan and pushed past Davis out into the hallway without saying a word.
It was going to be a long freaking night.
Chapter Eleven
Lennix
By the time closing rolled around, I was dead on my feet. I couldn’t remember the last time I’d been so tired. The stomach virus had taken Stephanie out for good, leaving only me and one other waitress to cover the entire floor, which would have been fine if we hadn’t been running a promotion where we were offering two-dollar drafts, bringing in what felt like at least half the town.
It must have been a full moon, because if those things weren’t enough, the walk-in fridge decided to kick the bucket, and more than one bar fight had broken out. Poor Zeke was a one-man crew, ejecting bodies and trying to keep the peace when he would have had more luck herding cats.
The throb between my eyes had been a persistent asshole all night, only getting worse with each new problem that cropped up. I’d never been so happy to announce last call and kick everyone the hell out.
I shooed the rest of the staff off just as soon as everything was prepped, cleaned, and ready to go for the next day. I twisted thelock on the front door and flipped the sign toclosed, turning out the lights as I moved through the space.
“You headin’ out, Boss Lady?”
“Shit,” I yelped, jumping back from the shadowed figure that had just stepped out from behind the bar and into my path. “Damn it, Davis. You scared the hell out of me.”
“Sorry.” His white smile flashed. “Was just grabbing the garbage to take out before I left.” He hefted up the swollen black trash bag. “Thought you heard me.”
I gave him a smile as I reached up to tuck my hair behind my ear. “No worries.”
“You heading out?” he repeated. “I can stick around, walk you to your car if you want.”
My shoulders sank with exhaustion. “Thanks, but I’ve got a few things I have to wrap up before I head out. I appreciate the offer, though. You go on.” I waved him off. “Get out of here before one more thing goes wrong and traps you here for the rest of the night.”
He chuckled, walking backward as he spoke. “Okay. Well, drive safe. And get some rest, yeah?”
“Will do. Goodnight.”
“Night, Lenni.”
I headed back toward my office on autopilot, so consumed with daydreaming about starfishing face down in the middle of my bed, that I completely forgot about the muscle-packed six-foot-something cowboy I’d left in my office with a puppy hours earlier. Things were so busy all night I hadn’t had a single free moment to go back and make sure they were both surviving.
