I head straight to my Audi, not bothering to get the rest of my things out of the locker room. I can’t believe that Scott fucker already has his goons watching me. It was bad enough I had to deal with him in New York, but now he’s in my hometown trying to stir up shit.
The thirty-minute drive from Bayside to Blue Haven flies by in a blur as I speed down the interstate. I’m still on a high from my winning goal and too worked up from the press conference to head home right now as I bypass the road leading to Savi’s house.
It also might have to do with the fact that she will more than likely be home. For the past two weeks, I’ve gotten to know her schedule and have been avoiding her since that morning in the kitchen.
Turning left, I head up the coastal road in search of some dinner and, preferably, a stiff drink. I pull into Montgomery’s a few minutes later and push the stop engine button as the silence surrounds me. Miles’s black bike is in the parking lot, like I knew it would be on a Friday night. Music drifts out of the bar as I step out of the vehicle and shed my jacket, throwing it on the seat before shutting the door.
Rolling my sleeves up to get more comfortable, I walk toward the building where people are enjoying the view of the ocean below while sipping their cocktails on the back deck.
I was just as surprised as anyone when Miles told me his plan to quit the band and restore an old dive bar, but now that I see him so happy with Olivia, I’m glad he listened to his gut to come back home. I know life on the road was hard for him once his brothers started having families. The Montgomerys have always been a close-knit group, and I know it was tearing him up whenever he would miss an important event in his nephews’ or nieces’ lives.
It’s dimly lit when I walk inside as my eyes adjust to the room. Miles and his friend, Noah, did a damn good job on the renovations. I’m still taken aback by the rustic yet sophisticated vibe. Black round booths are set up around the back walls, facing a dance floor and stage where a local band is playing tonight.
Black industrial shelving holds bottles of liquor behind the driftwood bar. The huge mirror behind the shelves reflects the amber liquids as the lighting above the bar highlights them. Another wooden wall with matching shelving holds a beautiful display of wine bottles that spotlights the local wineries in the area.
Since Olivia is a wine distributor, she knew exactly what this place needed to draw in the crowd of women who have been going feral over her wine selections. The fact that they can buy exclusive wine by the bottle here from some of the most sought-after wineries in Florida was just icing on the cake.
Miles spots me from behind the bar and grins as I walk up to him. He looks every bit of a musician with his tattoos and small eyebrow and lip piercing. All the brothers are spitting images of each other with their grey eyes and dark-haired looks.
“Nice game tonight. How did that hit feel?” His eyes shine with laughter as he pours me a bourbon, already knowing exactly what I want.
“Damn good,” I smile. “Thanks.” I reach for the drink he passes my way as I sit down at the bar.
“Can’t say I’m surprised with the way he was playing. I knew the moment you got on the ice, he was going to regret his choices in the game,” he laughs.
“He took dirty shots at my guys all night long,” I say, taking a sip. The smoky oak flavor slides down smoothly. Miles knows his bourbon, I’ll give him that. “Just wanted to send a little message to him before the season starts.”
“I’m pretty sure he’ll be feeling that message for days,” he chuckles, before glancing at the back corner with a frown.
I follow his gaze and freeze when I see Savi in the far booth, laughing at something the guy at the table said to her. She’s all dolled up with her makeup flawlessly done. Her blue eyes stand out against the smoky eyeshadow she’s got going on, but whatreally draws my attention is her full lips painted a bright cherry red.
My grip on the bourbon tightens as my eyes skim over her low-cut black top paired with black jeans and heels. I take in every detail, down to the matching red toenail polish.
“Who’s the guy?” My voice seems foreign to me as I watch her brush her long, dark hair over her shoulder. Her slender neck comes into view, and my body instantly reacts as I strain against my zipper as her tongue swipes across the blood red pout.
“She came in hours ago with her girlfriend, Wren, and this guy immediately attached himself to Savi’s hip. After her friend left, they’ve been talking ever since.”
“Do you know him? Maybe she’s trapped and needs you to help her out?”
I watch the guy she’s with signal the waitress for two more drinks and narrow my eyes even further.
“You know, Savi,” he sighs. “She gets fucking pissed when my brothers and I interfere. We all promised our girls we wouldn’t do it anymore. We were told Savi is a big girl and can handle things on her own,” he mutters, staring hard at the table in the back. “Doesn’t mean I’m not going to watch every move he makes, though.”
“Good thing I didn’t promise. Just say the word, and I’ll break it up,” I say, sounding a little too eager than I should.
“It’s tempting,” he chuckles, “but she would kill us both. If you see anything you don’t like, though, let me know, and I’m in,” he grins before turning toward the customer who just walked up for a drink.
My gaze goes back to their table, and I watch as their drinks are delivered. When Savi gets distracted checking her phone, he doesn’t hesitate to take the opportunity to throw out a flirty smile accompanied by a wink directed at the waitress. When sheturns to walk away, his eyes go directly to her ass as a smug smile crosses his face while he blatantly checks her out.
It’s clear this guy is a player, and Savi is just his conquest for the night. I debate whether to get Miles involved, but decide to take care of this on my own. One thing is for absolute certain. There’s no way in hell she’s leaving with him. Not without him getting past me.
EIGHT
SAVI
I sensedhim the moment he stepped into Montgomery’s, and it didn’t take long before I felt his eyes land on me. I’m sure he and Miles are over there brooding together about how I’m with a guy they don’t know or approve of.
Evan came up to me after Wren and I were finishing dinner, and he seemed nice enough. He bought us drinks, and when Wren had to leave, he asked if I would like to stay for a bit longer. He’s easy on the eyes with his light brown hair and green eyes, so I decided to take him up on his offer to see if there was any spark.
