No one is getting the drop on me, especially not her.
Chapter Seven
Taylor
Despite myself, I’m having a good time. The bar is great and although another group of bikers arrived a little while ago, it hasn’t got rowdier. In fact, the atmosphere initially changed when they walked in from the back. Dana didn’t even know there was a way in from there.
She eyed the new group and looked disappointed.
“What’s wrong?”
“He’s still not here,” she chews on her lower lip. “That guy, there the mean looking one, he is usually with him.”
“Mean looking one,” I laugh.
Although taking the time to study them I’m not sure which one she is talking about, because they all look a little mean, no that’s the wrong word. Tough. They all look tough. Like they could take on anyone and win.
“The one with his hair shaved at the sides, he’s a little older than the rest of them.”
“Maybe he’s running late,” I say with a sympathetic shrug. It’s after ten already. I know it’s Friday, and I haven’t exactly been a party animallately, but people come out after ten or eleven sometimes. “Where did you meet him, anyway?”
“At the Battleground.”
“Dana,” I set my drink down too fast, and it sloshes over the top. Good job Raven gives out napkins with her cocktails.
“What?” she looks away guiltily.
“You know that place is dangerous, and illegal,” I hiss.
“But there are always so many nice things to look at.”
“Only you could think illegal fighters are nice to look at. Who is taking you there? Is it Evan? He should know better.”
“He likes it too. We’re not there trolling for men, we like to watch the fights. And Stryker is one of the best.”
“That’s his name?”
“Mhm, he’s in the club.”
“This one. He’s a bikeranda cage fighter. Wow.”
“When you see him you’ll understand,” she nudges my knee with hers. “He’s really hot, and mysterious. He barely talks.”
“So how do you know you like the guy?”
“It’s called the getting to know you phase. He’s in the zone at the Battleground but we caught each other’s eye, we shared a moment.”
My eyes narrow. “Dana, have you even spoken to this man?”
“Well, duh, that’s why we’re here.”
I close my eyes and count to five. Then blow out a breath and smile at her. Life’s too short, I know that better than anyone. I’m not going to yell at her or tell her she’s being reckless. If she likes this guy, and she wants to see where things could go, I’m not going to stop her. But I will remind her to be careful.
She listens to my advice and nods while her smile beams brighter with each word.
“I knew I keep you around for a reason.”
“Yeah, well, wait and see if he shows. And if he doesn’t, screw him,” I lift my glass, she does the same and we clink. “His loss.”
