“Your brothers are here.”
That seemed to snap her out of her trance. Shoving to her feet, fear washed over her features briefly before she bit her lip and spun away from me.
“Tell them I’m not available.”
“Are you sure about that? You look like you need someone?—”
“I’m fine,” she snapped, spinning back around with fire in her eyes. “I just…need a few minutes, and my brothers don’t know how to mind their own business.”
I understood that well enough. “Alright, I’ll tell them you just stepped out.”
Her eyes darted to the front. “What about the customers?”
“I can handle it.”
Shaking her head, the tears returned with full force. “You shouldn’t have to.”
“Like I said, I have to pay my rent. It’s fine.”
Her voice was low, but grateful as she finally met my eyes. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.”
The words felt foreign on my tongue, but I didn’t know what the hell else to do. I should have just told her brothers, but after her kindness, I just couldn’t do it.
“She’s out,” I said as I walked back out to the bar. “Can I get you anything?”
Michael glanced behind me to the kitchen, then his eyes narrowed on me. I schooled my features, having played this game too many times to let someone like this guy trick me into spilling information.
“That’s my baby sister in there,” he growled. “I don’t know why the fuck she’s not coming out, but if you hurt her in any way?—”
“She’s not here,” I interrupted. “And like I said, I’m just helping out for the morning. She had some issue with a delivery she had to sort out.” I shrugged. “That’s all I know.”
“And you were just wandering through town and happened to offer your services?” he asked skeptically.
“Actually, I got to town a few days ago, visiting a friend. When I asked about accommodations in the area, she offered her rental so I didn’t have to stay at the roach motel. So, when she needed help this morning, I figured it was the least I could do.”
“Wait, are you Archer’s friend?”
Nodding, I waited for him to say more.
“Have her call me when she gets back.”
“Sure.”
They didn’t bother sticking around, but I knew that wouldn’t be the last I heard from them. For whatever reason, Michael had already decided he didn’t like me, which I couldn’t say he was wrong about. I didn’t exactly have a stellar personality.
Heading back to the kitchen, I stared the cook down until he fled the room. Then I turned on Lizzy.
“Talk.”
4
JOSIE
“You are not staying hometo mope on a Saturday night,” I grumbled, kicking my brother’s feet off the couch.
“Leave me alone.”
