“Uh, anything non-alcoholic.”
Her eyebrows lifted toward her hairline.
Colter rolled his eyes. “Aw, come on. Drink something. We’re celebrating your sister’s life.” He grumbled something else, but it wasn’t loud enough that I could catch it. I’d almost say he was calling me a Goody Two-shoes, but with more colorful language.
“I’m allergic to the hops. I break out in hives.” The absolute truth. I’d learned that the very hard way when I was a junior in high school. I’d been invited to a party at a senior’s house, and the beer was flowing.
One allergic reaction and a hospital visit later, I was grounded. Needless to say, my days of being invited to cool parties were over when everyone found out the party host had also found themselves in trouble.
Jason looked at me, puzzled. Yep, that was a story I’d be telling him later.
Lanie looked at him. “You allergic too?”
“No, I just don’t drink.”
That was totally not true. I’d seen Jason consume Scotch late at night after a long day. Not a lot, just a finger or so. Enough to take the edge off. I’d never seen him drunk, though. I guess he just didn’t want to take the chance of impairment when we were in the middle of a biker bar.
“So… two Cokes.”
Jason smiled. “That’ll work.”
“Henry cleaned out the fryer earlier today. The oil is fresh, and our cheese sticks are pretty tasty.”
I shook my head. “No, thank you.”
“All right. I’ll be back with your drinks in a minute.”
Colter didn’t wait for the waitress to walk away before leaning forward, eyes on me. “So, it’s been a while. I take it you got a new job.” His gaze darted to Jason for a quick second and back to me.
“Yep, and it’s a job I love.”
“Still in that tiny apartment?”
Under the table, Jason’s hand found mine, and he squeezed it. A reminder that he was here for me.
These questions weren’t the innocent “let’s catch up” type of inquiries. We had a court hearing in the morning, and Colter needed all the ammo he could get. Anything he learned, he’d be passing on to his lawyer.
“For the time being,” Jason said. “My realtor is already looking for a bigger place.”
Colter glared at him. “I’m talking to her.”
“Yeah, I’m aware. You’re fishing for information you can use against her tomorrow.”
A smile stretched on his face and he looked at me again. “He’s not dumb.”
Why was Colter doing this? “Are you really trying to get custody of Elias? I thought you didn’t want kids.” According to Maya, he hadn’t. Had I known she was even pregnant…
Grief and guilt mixed in my stomach. Maybe I could have done something. Been there for her. I was a crummy big sister and I’d let her down. I wouldn’t let Elias down.
Colter shrugged and leaned back. “I didn’t, but he’s my kid. I’m not going to just let you take him and cut me out.”
“And what about the club? You being president? Wouldn’t a baby get in the way of that?”
If what Maya told me was true, Colter had played dirty to get this club too. The club president at the time didn’t even see it coming when Colter took him out.
Lanie returned with our drinks and set a pitcher of beer down with Colter’s glass. “Is there anything else I can get you guys?”
“Beat it. We’re talking,” he snarled.
