“Come on. My old boss used to go there and was always trying to get me to go. He said it was a cool place to chill and hang out.”
“He told you that because he was trying to get in your pants.”
“Yeah, well, I’ve got no argument for that. Get your shoes, I’m getting us an Uber.”
“Fine.” Denise let out a disgruntled sigh but grabbed her shoes. “Who knows…maybe you’ll find the love of your life tonight.”
Bree stood and pointed at Denise. “Don’t jinx me.”
Jase set the parking brake on his truck and switched off the ignition. He sighed and stared at The Deck.
Fuck, it’d been months since he’d been here. Probably closer to a year. He didn’t want to be here now, but Brandon had asked him to come celebrate his separation from the Army. The promise he’d made himself warred with his desire to be anywhere else but here. But a buddy called. He answered. Even if it was to go to a bar.
He shouldered the door open and slammed it, thumbing the lock button on the fob over his shoulder. Gravel crunched under his boots as he crossed the parking lot. He took the steps two at a time and yanked the door open.
Nate rose from the tall stool with a grin. “Jase, my man.” He grabbed his hand and slapped him on the shoulder. “Haven’t seen you in forever. Where’ve you been hiding?”
Jase smiled to hide the wince from the pounding he took. “Getting my company off the ground. Staying out of trouble.”
Nate sat on the edge of the stool, one foot on the floor. “I heard about that. You still looking for guys to help you on trips?”
“Yeah. Anytime you’re interested, let me know.”
“I’ll give you a call next week. We’ve got block leave coming up before we head out next month.”
“Where’re you going this time?”
Nate stood and nodded behind Jase. Jase stepped to the side as a guy and two women, all dressed in riding leathers, held out their IDs. Nate checked them and handed them back to the group. “Have a good night, folks.” He sat back on the stool. “The HOA. Six month rotation.”
Horn of Africa. “Fuck, man. Stay safe.”
“Easier to do in Africa than Afghanistan.”
“Yeah. I’ll let you get back to work.”
Nate stood again, taking the ID held out to him. “Good to see you again.”
Jase waved and strode into the bar. He scanned the crowd, looking for Brandon and Gary. The bar wasn’t to capacity yet. Brandon, Gary, Evan, and Nick were easy to spot standing around a couple of tables in the middle of the room. It helped they were one of the few groups not dressed in riding leathers. Brandon spotted him and raised a hand. Jase waved back and pointed to the bar.
He hooked a foot over a stool and waited for Brian to notice him.
“Holy shit! Jase — where’ve you been hiding?” He held out his hand.
He shook Brian’s hand. “Out in the woods. How’ve you been?”
“Livin’ the life. What can I get you?”
“Killian’s. Draught.”
“Sure thing.” Brian knocked on the bar and pushed away.
Jase spun on the stool and scanned the crowd. He recognized a few faces. Recalled fewer names. It hit him in a rush — he didn’t miss this place at all.
A flash of blonde caught his peripheral vision and he turned. Tight jeans and a cropped halter showed off all her assets, leaving little to the imagination. They’d had a few hot and heavy nights when he’d been partying all the time.Shit. What was her name?Something that ended with a ‘y.’ Maybe an ‘i.’ Only stripper names were coming to mind.
She pushed her way between his legs. “Jase, where’ve you been?” Her red lips pouted as she ran her hands up his chest.
“Popular question tonight.” He kept his hands on his thighs. He had no desire to encourage her. Literally, none.
