“That doesn’t really seem like something I would say,” I tell him, hoping he doesn’t notice that I’m not making eye contact. I mean, I did show her my dick, but I’m not one to talk about sexual exploits in front of the guys. It feels wrong to talk about Rhea like that, anyway. I’m keeping that just for myself.
“You were beyond drunk last night, man. I’ve never seen you like that. Ever. I wouldn’t have been surprised if you’d dropped your pants and pulled your dick out right there.” Devon laughs.
“Oh, come on. I can’t have been that bad. You’re saying I was so drunk I nearly turned into Ryder?” Before Ryder married Denise, he had a penchant for showing us his dick all the time, because he thought it was hilarious. “I think I would still have some shame, no matter how drunk I am. At least around a woman I hardly know, and a cop.”
“Eh, not too sure about that. You’ve been different lately. Not quite as serious, or something. Who could say how that will turn out? Maybe you’ll be taking over Ryder’s dick flapping showcase now that he’s a married man? Someone is going to need to make the groupies think they have a chance. Why not you?”
I actually shudder when Devon says that. I have less than zero interest in playing the part of the promiscuous, indiscriminate rock star. I do everything in my power, short of wearing an actual disguise, to keep from being recognized. There’s no way I want to spend time hanging with a bunch of vapid women who just want to sleep with someone because they’re famous. Even if I didn’t sleep with them, I can’t imagine the conversations would be very stimulating. ‘So you’re in the band? Do you like it? Wanna fuck?’ Fuck that.
“Pass. I have standards. I love our fans, but I don’t want to spend time with groupies. Not my scene.” I take a gulp of my coffee. “Maybe Travis can take that on? Connor and Ryder have Alex and Denise, Johnny is obsessed with Becca, and I’m out, so that leaves Travis.”
“I have a feeling Travis wouldn’t be too interested, either. He’s pretty busy these days. Even Johnny doesn’t see him much, and they’re brothers. And they live together.” Devon looks behind the counter to where Xena is talking to a customer. From the looks of it, I don’t think I’m the only one who’s going to be on Kaden’s brotherly radar. It’s going to be so much worse for Devon, though, because Xena is Kaden’s actual sister. And Devon is Kaden’s best friend.
Oh yeah. I can’t wait to see how that all goes down.
The bell above the door jingles just then, and in walks my own problem.
Rhea takes a few steps in before turning her head toward me. She’s wearing head to toe spandex, and her curves and toned body are on full display. She has her hair tied up, but she looks flushed and sweaty, like she’s just been working out. Maybe she just came from the gym?
“Hey Rhea,” Devon calls out to her, “come join us.”
“Dude, what are you doing?” I whisper to him. I’m not ready for her to come over here just yet. “Stop trying to make trouble for me.”
He smiles at me and gives me a little wink. Fucker. It’s too late to do anything about it now though, since she’s already on her way over here.
“Hi Rhea, good to see you. Get any sleep last night?” Devon asks. “I know I didn’t. Between dragging this drunk asshole around and sobering him up this morning, I might need to see if Xena can hook me up to a coffee IV or something.”
Rhea chuckles. “Yeah, I could use one of those, too. Or maybe something stronger than coffee but less than cocaine?”
“Did you just come from the gym? You look sporty today.” Devon points at me. “We forced Aiden and Johnny to work out until they puked this morning to help sober them up.”
“Between throwing up and drinking a shit ton of water, we sobered up and got rid of the growing hangovers we had. Well, those things and the greasy diner breakfast we just had at Maggie’s.” I may as well join in on this conversation before Devon tells her everything and makes it sound like a scandalous secret. “I’ve never been much of a drinker and after last night, I’m positive I never will be. I don’t even remember most of it.”
“Oh? You nearly burned my eyeballs out with your whiskey breath so I’m not surprised you don’t remember.” Rhea sits down, joining us at the table. “From what I could see though, you and Johnny made quite the impression on some asshole’s grass.”
“Ah shit,” I run my hand down my face. “I thought that’s what the guys meant when they said I was committing crimes. Was it the guy that got you fired? Is that why you were there?” The only reason I can think that Rhea would be at the scene of one of my revenge plans is that I was getting petty revenge for her. She’s been on my mind non-stop, and that she got fired for arresting some asshole who’s abusing his wife? Yeah, that doesn’t sit right with me at all.
“Yes, and yes. You got the address from Kaden, through Devon, and then Kaden picked me up to bring me there. He’s pissed off at the guy too, so you don’t need to worry about him bringing you in. It helps that you chose vandalism rather than violence as your tactic, too.”
I release a breath I didn’t know I was holding. A lot more planning normally goes into these revenge plots, and I’m usually not so drunk. I don’t even know if the guy was home, what kind of security the neighbourhood has, or any of the information that I usually gather well before I go onto a property to make a giant dick. Hell, the guy could have had guard dogs there to rip me to pieces for all I know. It was pretty stupid of me to do that job in the state I was in last night.
“Thank you,” I tell her. “I’m so relieved to hear you say that. I don’t remember being there last night, and I don’t remember what I told you about… that side of what I do, but I’m glad you’re not going to have me arrested for it.”
“I’ll go grab you a coffee, Rhea,” Devon says, as he stands. “You guys can keep talking.”
“Oh sure, thanks. Xena knows what I like.”
Devon heads to the counter, leaving me alone at the table with Rhea. I’m not too stupid to realize that he’s giving me a chance to apologize in private. And I’m not going to waste this chance.
“I hear I owe you an apology,” I begin. “I’m sorry for what I said.”
“For what you said?” Her face scrunches up, a confused look on her face.
“Yeah, for what I said. Devon tells me I announced to everyone that I’d shown you my dick, and Kaden was a little pissed off. So I’m sorry for saying that.”
“And that’s all?”
“Um, yeah? I don’t remember what I said or did last night, and that’s the only thing Devon told me about. Did I say something else?” I’m so confused. I thought she was only there for a few minutes. What else could I have said in that short amount of time to make her mad?
