For caution’s sake, I shifted to Horse’s other side. Not that Devil or I could stop him if he decided to lose it, but I wasn’t about to make it easier either.
Brenda finally noticed him. Didn’t flinch. Didn’t lower her chin. Just lifted her head a little higher.
That was Brenda. Guts any man would envy.
“Evenin’, Brenda,” I said.
“Who you got with you?” Devil asked, keepin’ one eye on Horse, who refused to look at either of them.
“This is Tom Montgomery,” she said. “Tom, this is Devil, Chain, and Gatsby.”
She didn’t acknowledge Horse. Not even a glance. Same as he wouldn’t look at her.
“Nice to meet you,” Tom said, smilin’ easy as he shook hands. “Brenda talks about you all the time.”
“How’d you two meet?” Gatsby asked, earnin’ sharp looks from both me and Devil.
“One day I was walkin’ to my office,” Tom said, oblivious. “Had my head buried in some papers when I ran right into her. When I looked up and saw her standin’ there, I swear I forgot how to speak.”
“He asked me out right then,” Brenda added.
“Couldn’t let her walk away,” Tom said, leanin’ in to kiss her cheek. “Too beautiful.”
“Fuck this shit,” Horse snarled.
He was on his feet in a second, stool clatterin’ to the floor as he stormed for the door and disappeared into the night.
Tom blinked. “Uh. What was that about?”
“He’s havin’ a bad day,” I said, givin’ Brenda a look that said maybe don’t poke the bear.
“Let’s sit down, Tom,” she said smoothly, steering him toward a table before turnin’ back to us. “I didn’t know he’d be here. He’s usually at the clubhouse or The Pit. I wouldn’t have brought Tom if I’d known.”
“I’ll check on him later,” Devil said.
“It’s fine,” I told her. “Horse’ll have to deal with it.”
She nodded once, then went to join Tom.
Gatsby exhaled. “Why doesn’t Horse just claim her? Thought they were a thing.”
“Guess she finally decided she wanted more than a good time,” I said, my eyes already findin’ Lark again across the room.
She caught my gaze, the smallest smile curvin’ her lips before she turned back to work like she trusted I’d still be there when she looked again.
Some men ran when it started feelin’ like this. Some burned everything down on their way out.
Me?
I stayed.
***
I LOST FOCUSsomewhere between pourin’ a drink and settin’ it down.
That didn’t sit right with me. High Voltage was my responsibility. Gatsby was behind the bar workin’ his ass off. Friday nights didn’t forgive distractions.
Didn’t stop mine.
