“Didn’t expect to see you here tonight,” Big Al said.
“Truthfully, I didn’t pick this place. Teagan, my friend, did.”
“Ah, that makes sense. So, you’re not here alone.”
“Nope.”
“Prospect’s not here, so you can relax,” Big Al stated.
“Who?” I asked innocently, but I knew who he referred to.
“Harlequin.”
“The name suits him. Flighty, unable to stick, a huge flirt, immature, a joker and free with people’s feelings. Well done in naming Stone that,” I said.
Big Al’s eyebrows rose. “Harlequin did a real number on you.”
“Respectfully, I don’t want to discuss it. In fact, if we didn’t mention Stone, that would be wonderful. Asshole might be your brother, but I hate his fuckin’ guts. If Stone died, I’d stand here and not lift a finger to help.”
Big Al whistled and looked serious. “Harlequin really hurt you badly.”
“Told you, leave it alone.”
Big Al nodded as sadness fleetingly crossed his expression. “Have a good time tonight, Medusa.”
“Sure,” I replied and offered a chin tilt as he walked away. Big Al seemed troubled, which wasn’t my problem.
Teagan appeared, her eyes wide. “April, you’re friendly with Hellfire MC?” she asked.
“No. I met Big Al once, and he was saying hi. I don’t know the club.”
“Liar, you know me. Hello, April,” a guy stated and pecked me on the cheek. I peered up into the smiling face of Smokey.
“Hey,” I replied lamely.
“How’s the snakes?”
“Not seen any lately!”
“Good.”
“Teagan, this is Smokey. He’s the dude I told you about who wrestled a snake from my car. Smokey’s friend said it was poisonous, but the phone’s predictive text kicked in and stated it wasn’t!” I introduced Smokey.
“Oh man! You’re a hero. April was mortified that you could have been bitten. That was so brave.”
Smokey smiled at Teagan, and I saw the interest in his eyes. Like me, she was a curvy woman but with a model’s looks.
“Honestly, if I’d been aware it was dangerous, I’d have shut the door and called my friends to collect the damn thing,” Smokey admitted. Teagan and I both laughed.
“Yeah, we’ve had a fair few in with rattler bites. Some idiots do provoke them,” Teagan agreed.
“Good example of an idiot here,” Smokey pointed to himself.
Teagan shook her head. “As the guy who saved my friend, I only see a hero.”
And the flirting was off and running, I thought as they began bantering between themselves. After an hour, I announced that I was tired. Smokey offered to give Teagan a lift, and I headed out to my car. I climbed inside, locked the doors, and drove home. At least Teagan was getting lucky!
Harlequin
