Blaze’s grin faded. “Yeah. I know.”
I rolled the glass between my palms, staring at the amber liquid instead of him. “If they pull something, they won’t get a warning.”
“They won’t,” Blaze said. “Moore’s got eyes everywhere.”
“Eyes don’t stop stupid,” I replied. The Chrome Warriors were a bunch of idiots on bikes. It was amazing to me that they were able to do anything.
Blaze shrugged. “True. But neither do nerves. We’ve got three days.”
I nodded. Three days. That was it.
Three days until the ride rolled out. Until we proved we could do something good without blood or bullshit attached. Three days until I could stop watching corners and mirrors and wondering if someone was going to make a statement.
Three days until Juliet was done.
I took another drink, slower this time.
Blaze leaned back on his stool, studying me now instead of his glass. “You’ve been hanging around that flower shop a lot lately, though.”
I didn’t answer and didn’t look at him either, just took another sip.
“That came out of nowhere,” he added, like he hadn’t meant it as an accusation. Just an observation.
I set my glass down, finally meeting his eyes. “Most good things do.”
Blaze blinked once. Then twice. “Well,” he said slowly, a grin creeping back in. “Shit.”
I shook my head. “Don’t.”
“I didn’t say anything.”
“You were about to.”
He laughed. “Fair.”
We sat in silence for a minute, the radio filling the space. A Lynyrd Skynyrd song drifted through the room, something about regret and whiskey and bad timing. Fitting.
“She’s different,” Blaze said finally.
That made me look at him. “I haven’t said a word about her,” I replied.
“No,” he agreed. “But you don’t have to.”
I exhaled through my nose. “I’m not doing this.”
“Doing what?”
“Talking it to death. Labeling it. Turning it into a thing before it’s even—”
“Okay,” Blaze cut in, hands up. “Relax. I’m not handing out relationship advice.”
“Good,” I muttered.
He smirked. “Just don’t fuck it up.”
“I’m trying not to, man.” I finished my drink and set the glass down on the bar.
“She’s different. I haven’t met her, but I can tell.”
