He sipped his coffee. “Challenge accepted.”
I took a long pull of the white mocha, sugary goodness. “So, have you heard back from the insurance companies at all?”
He nodded. “Actually, that’s what pulled me out of bed. They called right at eight this morning.”
“Did you cuss them out for it?”
He barked with laughter. “No, not when they gave me the good news.”
I gasped. “They finally did it.”
His smile was bright. “They finally came through with the claim on our club in L.A. We’re officially going to be able to rebuild all of our clubs.”
“Oh, my God. That’s incredible!”
I tried my best not to slosh coffee around as I hugged him tightly. God, he had been fighting for so many fucking months to get them to ante up on their contracts. No, no one planned for multiple businesses to be burned down at once. But, was it really necessary to drag the men through threats of court just to figure out that the fires were, indeed, arson?
“Does this mean they’re finally off the, ‘you guys are committing insurance fraud’ shit?” I asked as I released him.
He took another long pull from his mug. “I’ll have to call our lawyer just to double-check, but I’m almost positive that’s what it means. They told me to expect a check around the same size as the other clubs within the next week or so.”
I wiggled my way forward until I perched on the edge of the bed beside him. “I’m so happy for you guys. Really.”
He leaned over and kissed my cheek. “Me, too, beautiful.”
“Is everyone clothed?” Tee asked.
I gasped as I shot to my feet. “Tee! I didn’t know you were coming over today!”
Fangs chuckled. “I texted her and told her the good news.”
Theresa giggled. “Seriously, though. You guys clothed?”
I rolled my eyes. “Yes, we’re clothed.”
“Are you sure? Because Fangs tells me you have a serious problem with that.”
The man cackled and I shoved him playfully. “He’s in boxers, but if you can stand that, we’re good.”
And when my sister stepped into the room, everything instantly felt whole again.
“I don’t have long,” she said as she came over and hugged us both, “but I wanted to stop by before I headed into work.”
I hugged her close. “Jesus, what time is it?”
“Eleven o’clock,” Fangs and my sister said in unison.
“Yikes,” I whispered.
Tee smiled as she released me. “I’ve got a full shift today, so wish me luck.”
Fangs lifted his mug into the air. “Good luck. You feeling up to it?”
Tee shrugged. “Bah. It’s just slinging some drinks around. My boss has me on the bar down toward the end of the building, so I shouldn’t see too much action today.”
“Wait a second,” Fangs said as he stood, “you’re a bartender?”
My sister beamed with pride. “The best in all of Twin Bays! If you don’t mind me saying so myself.”
