A smile spread across his cheeks as he rose from his seat. “I was wondering when you’d finally show yourself.” My smirk faded as I took a good look at Reid with his buzzed hair and glasses, dress shirt sleeves rolled up. I was sure he was the kind of assistant principal that had no problem getting his hands dirty and worked overtime to protect his students—maybe save them from the same life he lost one of his friends to. I was proud as hell and grateful he didn’t throw me out on sight.
“Get your hoodlum ass over here.” Reid grabbed my hand and pulled me into a hug.
It was a quick guy hug, but I exhaled the brick off my chest. Just like my other best friend, Reid was too good to me. I treated them both like shit, and I wouldn’t give me a second glance if I were either one of them.
“Damn good to see you, Falco!” Reid pounded my back a second time.
“Sorry it took me so long. My shop is a couple of blocks away, but it took me a bit to grow some nerve.” I raised a brow and Reid shook his head.
“I know.” He cocked his head. “FalcoCustom Bikes. Pass it every day on my way to work. I was thinking about my own ambush visit soon. Brianna told me you were back a couple of months ago.” He snickered at me before he went back to his desk. “I figured you’d come in when you were ready. I’m just about done here; how about you take me on a tour of the shop, starting with the bar across the street?”
“You got a deal.” I stood from the chair and followed Reid out of his office.
“Goodnight, Ms. Frances!” he yelled behind him as we strode out of the school.
“Ms. Frances?” My brows raised. “Secretary and everything?”
“Yeah,” he scoffed. “I’m a big fish. What can I say? Complete with a semi-retired secretary who can’t work the computer. Let’s get a goddamn beer and you can start catching me up on your life.”
We headed into Landmark Saloon and took two seats at the bar.
“How many damn tattoos do you have? I know you wanted one when you turned eighteen, but Jesus, man. I hardly see any skin.”
“I got a few when I was—away. The rest I collected here and there over the years.” I held out my arms and rolled up my shirt sleeves. “Don’t be jealous, you know you wanted one, too. Does academic life make it a no go?”
“No, just never found the right one, and it . . . didn’t feel right not going with you.” He shrugged, and his eyes darted back to his mug.
“Listen, Reid, I’m sorry for—”
He grabbed my shoulder and shook his head. “No need for sorry. You were in a bad way because you thought you had no choice. Now, you got yourself out, and I got my friend back. The way he used to be. All good, bro. Besides, you can’t see all those colors on my black ass. It would be a waste.”
“You’re still an idiot.” I shook my head.
“How many say ‘Brianna’?” Reid smirked around the rim of the glass before he set it down.
“None say her name, asshole. But maybe one or two are for her.” My eyes darted from his. Fucker still saw right through me.
“Still a sad sack when it comes to that girl?” He chuckled. “Now who’s still an idiot? She’s with that preppy dude now, though. Sam?”
“Scott.” His name left a sour taste in my mouth.
“Ah, yes.” Reid nodded. “I met him once. Nice enough, I guess. Happened to be in the same diner Missy and I were in one night. That’s my wife, who you’ll meet when you come to my house for dinner.”
I let a smile curve my lips and nodded. If anyone deserved a good life, it was Reid. “I’d love to meet Missy. See what poor soul got stuck with you.”
“I’m amazing. You know it and I know it. I take it you met him, too?”
“Yeah,” I sighed. “A few times. He works a lot so he’s really not around that much.”
“I guess it’s you and Bri again, like peas and car-rots.” His voice dropped into a Southern twang.
“Stop with theForrest Gumpbullshit.” My eyes narrowed into slits.
“All right, listen. They’ve been going out a couple of years, and no ring. You got everything else back. How about you finally take what you really want?”
“I can’t just take her. She has to want to go.”
Reid slammed down his newly-filled mug and leveled his gaze on mine.
