Roxie snorted.Maxie had been a timid thing when they’d first met, but the girl was coming out of her shell.
“Yeah, well, everyone is on their best behavior tonight.”
“Charlie looks so happy,” Lexie noted.
He did.His eyes were all crinkly around the edges, and his smile was bright against his mahogany-colored skin.Roxie tilted her head to the side as she considered him.That grizzled old man had known her longer than practically anyone in her life, and she’d considered him ancient when she’d first met him.Then again, teenagers don’t have the best perspective.
Still, he’d always been an old and generous soul.Tonight, he was surrounded by everyone he loved and who loved him in return.His family had come for the event, and all the regulars were toasting him.The bouncer, Skeeter, had already led two rounds of “For He’s a Jolly Good Fellow.”She watched as her boss’s ever-patient wife gave him a kiss on the cheek.
The tenderness made Roxie clear her throat.Charlie had Lola, Lexie had Cam, and Maxie had Zac.Funny how things never changed.When she’d been in foster care surrounded by all those other kids, she’d still felt like the odd one out.Except for once.
Well, now she had The Ruckus.It had just officially become her significant other.
Lexie rubbed her shoulder.“You okay?”
“I’m spectacular,” Roxie said.She intercepted a beer that the bartender was passing to a patron and gave the guy a saucy wink.She took a long pull on the cold amber liquid and felt it go down nice and smooth.
“Woo hoo,” Skeeter cheered.
Damn straight to that.
Rounding the bar, Roxie climbed the footstool up onto the shining surface.That got people’s attention fast.Heads turned her way and a catcall rang out.
“Think all three of them can fit up there?”someone in the back called.
Lexie turned an interesting shade of pink.
“No dirty dancing tonight, fellas.”Roxie waved off the grumbles.“Well, maybe later.We’ll see how much we can get Lexie to drink.”
She had no doubt she could get Maxie up here if they could get Ms.Prim and Proper to cave first.But that was for later.
She lifted her mug.“To Charlie!”
Her mentor rubbed his close-cropped hair in embarrassment at the attention.
She decided to play with him just a little.“To celebrate, I say we give away free…”
His eyes widened so dramatically, she almost started laughing.The bar was packed.He was probably having heart palpitations, but she wasn’t about to give away free rounds.At least, not free rounds of liquor.The scavengers were already rushing the bar, but she gestured to the kitchen as one of the barmaids came out with a tray.“… free teeny weenies for everyone!”
“Aw, Roxie,” one of the regulars complained.
“What, Whitey?Already have a teeny weenie?”
Hearty laughter filled the room.
Out of the corner of her eye, Roxie saw Zac frown.With one step, he positioned himself better to protect her.He was such a cop.Whitey sputtered and guffawed.One of his buddies finally slapped him on the back, and the bruiser got back into the game.Wrapping his meaty hands around his belt, he thrust his hips forward provocatively.“Now, Roxie girl, if you’re interested in my weenie, I’d be more than happy to show you just how big it is.”
Roxie took another gulp of her beer.“Like I said, pork chop, we’ll see after I’ve had more to drink.”
She didn’t add that she’d have to be well above the legal limit to even consider the proposition.
Not wanting to take the attention away from Charlie, she climbed down from her perch, but didn’t get off the bar entirely.Instead she sat on it with her legs swinging back and forth over the edge.The barmaid brought the tray of appetizers over to her, and she snagged some teeny weenies for herself.With the beer to chase them down, they were pretty tasty.
Sitting back, she began to people-watch.These were her peeps, her clientele.She knew them better than anyone, but they always managed to surprise her.
People were funny that way.
Someone cranked up the jukebox and “Back in Black” made the walls start to thump.She nodded along in time with the driving rock ’n’ roll, but her eyes narrowed when she saw Cam cozying up with Lexie against the jukebox.Glowering, she focused elsewhere, but spotted Zac trying to show Maxie how to handle the pool cue without inciting a riot.Roxie’s heel knocked against the bar with athunk.It seemed like everyone had somebody to keep them warm on a chilly autumn night.
