Hayden stood watching me. He pulled out his wallet and handed over a wad of cash to Conrad before storming off. As much as I wanted to follow him, I knew better than to do so. We were usually oil and vinegar, with occasional eruptions that mirrored the volatile combination of gasoline and matches.
That was all well and good when we were both down to fuck, even if we fought to be the one in charge. I didn’t mind handing over control to him in measured amounts, but he took a mile when I gave him an inch, and then he pushed for a mile and a half.
I surveyed the mess. A perfect representation of my life lay in smithereens at our feet. I picked my way across the mess to Liam.
“Did he lose consciousness?”
Liam’s brow scrunched up as he shook his head no. Thank God for small favors. That’s all he needed.
“Do we need to worry about that?”
“I don’t know.” My gaze roamed over the others, catching Priest, Cameron, and Scott’s shocked gazes. “Ask them,” I said, nodding at the guys.
“He’s fine,” a woman standing with Hayden’s buddies said.
“You, Lucia?” I asked, knowing the answer without her response. She looked too much like Scott.
“Yes. It’s nice to meet you. Finally.”
I wanted to be an asshole. I really did, but my raisin’ kept me from smarting off to the woman. My situation wasn’t her doing.
“Likewise.”
Feeling like a zoo attraction with everyone gawking at me, I turned and walked off, passing Celeste and Heidi, who were standing so they hid from where Hayden’s buddies were standing. It didn’t take a genius to figure out why.
“Thanks, guys. That was great. I really appreciated that.”
“What’s he talking about?” Celeste asked.
“Don’t act like you don’t know, but just in case I’m wrong, I’ll let these two assholes fill you in.”
Outside, the tears I’d been holding at bay fell without permission. Determined to get some time to myself, I hopped in the vehicle we’d rented and drove off. I needed space and time. A lot of it, if I had to be around Hayden regularly, and not let our history get in the way of protecting Jackie and Katie.
The cabin of the car filled with ringing, and my phone lit up with Walker’s face. I pressed the button to ignore him, only for the phone to ring again. Heaving a deep breath, I answered the call.
“Yeah.”
“Where are you?”
“I went for a drive.”
“I need you here. We need that brain of yours when we question the PA and manager.”
“Did you know?”
“Know what?”
“Don’t fucking give me that shit. Did you know?”
“Yes. Now get your ass back here or go the fuck home to Texas and keep licking you damn wounds.”
“I’ll be there in twenty.”
“And be sober when you get here.”
“What?”
“Don’t act like I’m an idiot. Your dad is my favorite uncle. We talk daily. My father is the point of contact for the family trust. Everyone knows how much you’re drinking. The fact that you’re killing your liver by getting drunk on five-hundred-dollar bottles of imported Irish whiskey is ridiculous and wasteful.”
