“It was Connor’s mess, and he dumped it on you.” She puts the glasses back in their place and wipes the counter with a dishcloth.
“And I dumped it on the Renegades. Jen’s dead because of me, Teag.” I cover my eyes with my hands.
“That’s bullshit. You didn’t put her in your car when you took off. They went after her. Those assholes are the reason she’s dead, not you. Did Brooks tell you…”
I shake my head immediately. “No, God, no. He says the same thing. That it’s not my fault, but theirs, and yet … I’m the one who brought this all on them.”
Teagan throws the dishcloth back in the sink and puts her hands on the counter. Her gaze drills into mine. “If Kyler hadn’t come, you never would’ve knocked on his door. You didn’t even knock on his door, he was just driving by that day… Stop blaming yourself. Nothing would’ve happened if that son of a…” she sighs. “If that guy had been normal. If Connor had just finished his job and was still at home with you right now.”
I nod. “You’re right, but I still find it hard to think that way. It’ll be okay,” I mumble, grabbing a beer coaster from the bar.
Behind me, the door opens and an older couple enters.
“But you’re safe now, right?” Her eyes study my face.
“Mm-hm,” I grunt. “The Renegades got a letter asking them to drop it if they left me alone and returned Jen’s body.”
Teagan chuckles, as if the whole thing is funny. I tilt my head. “Sorry, but do they really think the Renegades are just going to let it go? They killed Brooks fucking Paisley’s wife. What a bunch of idiots.” She grabs a notebook and a pen from the bar. “I’ll be right back.” Then she walks over to the couple who found a table.
She takes their order while I twirl the beer coaster between my thumb and index finger.
“Are you still staying at Kyler’s apartment?”
I jump when my friend reappears behind the bar. “No. I moved all my stuff back this morning, and starting tonight, we’re sleeping at our own place again.”
“Oh, that’s great, Layne,” she says over her shoulder, fiddling with the coffee machine. She makes two cups of special coffee and takes them to her customers. “And between you two?” she asks when she reappears.
“Between us?”
“Oh, come on, bitch. Can I be the first to share some news instead of Gossip Queen Mack? I don’t want to hear about it from her in two weeks that my best friend’s still sleeping with the VP of the Renegades.” She rolls her eyes dramatically. “If that happens, I’m officially dethroning you. Just so you know.”
I smile, looking down at my fingers. “Okay, fine.”
“What do you mean, ‘okay, fine’?” She gives me a wide-eyed stare.
“Okay, fine, there’s more between us.” I look up at her and shift back and forth on the bar stool.
“I knew it. Tell me! Even if it’s just a kiss. Anything is better than my boring sex life.” Fixing her eyes on the ceiling, she blows a strand of hair out of her face with exaggerated force. “Let melive vicariously through you.” With a dramatic gesture, she grabs my hand.
“He says he’s sleeping at my place tonight, but you know the MC life. I bet he won’t.”
“WHAT?!” she exclaims, and I look at the people at the table in alarm, but they don’t even notice. “He’s moving in with you? Why didn’t you tell me you were back together? You’re the worst friend in the world.” Meanwhile, she’s let go of my hand and put both of them on her hips.
“He’s not moving in with me, and you knew we were…” I gesture with my hands. “You know.”
“If he’s sleeping over, that’s definitely more than just a one-night stand, girl.” The hatch behind her opens, and a person pushes two sandwiches through. Before I can react, she grabs the two plates and heads to the couple.
Damn it. Obviously, there’s more to it than that. And even though she’s my best friend, I’d rather not talk about it.
“So, am I right?” she asks as she walks past me.
“Can’t I keep anything to myself?” I sulk.
“No.” A broad grin spreads across her face. “I’m happy for you, Laynie.”
“Now we just have to find you a man.” Although that’s quite the challenge with my friend. There’s always something about the men. Too muscular, too fat, too tall, too short, too bald, too much hair. I sigh, just thinking about it.
“Yeah, my dating life isn’t exactly going swimmingly.” Teagan chuckles, but there’s no joy in it.
