Thug nodded.
“Isn’t it a bit early for them to go to bed?” I asked Pagan.
“Don’t like ’em down here after nine,” he explained. “Things can get spicy, and they’re too young for that shit. They’ve got a TV and their games console up there so they can do their own thing for a while. Still, the sooner I find us somewhere to live, the better. The clubhouse is no place for kids.”
“I’ll design a great house for you,” I joked. “You’ve got plenty of space here.”
“Ash?” Scrap the prospect called over. “Beer for you too?”
“Just a Coke,” I confirmed, watching as he bent to the fridges. He pulled out a beer and a glass bottle of soda, popped the tops off, and placed them on the bar before walking away to serve somebody else.
“Long time no see, darlin’,” Nox greeted. “Roxie told me she hasn’t met up with you for a while, either.”
“Are you two back together?” I asked.
His cheeks reddened. “Nah. Not yet.”
I took a swig of my Coke, hiding my smile. I was proud of Roxie for standing her ground. Nox thought he could have his cake and eat it, and my friend deserved better. “I’ve been seeing out my contract at work,” I explained. “So I’ve stayed down in Denver. I’ve finished now though.”
Pagan shot me a sexy wink and announced, “She’s officially an architect.”
“Congrats,” Nox rumbled, leaning over and giving me a hug.
“Will you take your fuckin’ hands off my woman?” Pagan grated out.
Castle let out an amused snort.
Thug cackled.
Nox shook his head at Pagan, but still he stepped back.
I rolled my eyes at Pagan, who deadpanned at me, his stare never leaving mine as he took a long pull of beer. He reached behind him to grab a free stool and slid onto it, bracing his elbow on the bar and holding his head in his hand.
“Are you okay, honey?” I asked.
“Have you still not slept?” Castle asked him.
“Nah, but I reckon I’ll sleep okay tonight,” Pagan replied. “It’s just as well ’cause we’ve got that run to Casper tomorrow mornin’, so I wanna get some shut-eye.”
“I forgot about that,” Castle cut in. “It’s a three-hour ride each way, so you make sure you can stay awake for it.” He turned to me. “Don’t you keep him up all night?”
My cheeks heated.
Pagan glared at him. “Shut the fuck up.”
I placed my hand on Pagan’s arm. “It’s okay. I have to go anyway. I’m staying at Mam’s, and she’ll be waiting up for me. We had a long drive today, and she’ll be tired.”
“Aren’t you a bit old for your ma to wait up for you?” Thug teased.
“I know,” I agreed. “I haven’t lived at home for years, but every time I stay there, she waits up for me, and my brothers, too. It’s just the way she is.”
“It’s good she cares,” Castle stated.
“I know,” I agreed with a smile as I slid off the stool, which Castle immediately commandeered again. I stepped toward Pagan and curled my fingers around his nape. “You get some sleep, honey. We’ll talk tomorrow.”
“Got some paperwork to finish off in the office and then I’ll turn in,” he assured me.
I studied his eyes, which by then were half-mast with exhaustion, and my heart squeezed. His lack of sleep was starting to really worry me. “Can you carve out some time to go to the VA soon? They may be able to give you some meds. You don’t have to take them every night, just when you really need them.”
