“Enough concern over that singing ostrich. You know what they say, put on your best dress, red lipstick, and dancing shoes. Go out and paint the town, my love.”
Aasia started to come up with an excuse, but she couldn’t find one reason not to go out and celebrate.
Chapter Six
“You lost. Your turn to buy a round,” Bear said through a cocky grin. He was undefeated in darts and liked to rub it in their faces any chance he got. It was the simple things in life and all. For as long as he knew the Texas Heat team they’d been trying to outdo each other.
“Fine. I’ll win the next round,” Sin said less than confidently as he strode off to get their beers.
Checking the bar, Bear saw that Echo was talking to a blonde. Taking a seat at the high top, Bear saw Zane cracking shells then dropping the peanuts into a plastic cup.
“How are you, Zane?”
“Peachy. Sounds like you’ve got some serious problems, dude?”
“Like?”
“Dark hair. Baby blue eyes. And a heart-pounding smile. Ring a bell?”
“I don’t need to hear it from you too.” Bear realized how rough his words sounded, but he also didn’t want to talk about Aasia. He couldn’t understand why his friendship with Aasia seemed to be important to every team member. If Bear had to guess he’d say they were all a bit on edge.
“I’m not trying to bust your balls.” Zane shook the peanuts out of the cup into his mouth, chomping loudly. “Think you can handle it?”
Bear swallowed against the pressure in his throat. “I can handle it.”
“Are you sure?” Zane said in a lowered voice. “Should one of the team step in—”
“Fuck no. I said I can handle it and I meant it.”
Some of the tension around Zanes’ eyes relaxed. “Dude, I understand sometimes we start to have forbidden feelings, but if this is too much—”
“I don’t have feelings.” He lied. “I got this covered.”
“We’re close to the end of this, Bear. I think we’re all feeling the frustration.”
He squinted. “I realize that.”
Zane looked a bit uncomfortable. “Some of the men…well, they’re saying you can’t balance your balls from your head, brother.”
Bear shook his head, chuckling. “I know who’s saying that shit.” Seeing Zane’s narrowed gaze, Bear snapped the word, “What?” This was weighing on his patience.
“I’m not your enemy, buddy.” Zane held up his hands in surrender. “I’m only pointing out that you’ve been, well, different lately.”
“It’s a waste of time, Zane. Can’t tell him anything.”
Bear glanced over at Grimes. He stood in a defensive pose, his feet apart and his arms crossed over his chest. Once upon a time, the two men were tight, but since the ambush…
“Hell, I’m not one to judge,” Zane muttered.
Grimes continued, “You uncovered the fraud, among other things, at MedLabOne. You’ve had to ask yourself how she’s worked there so long without knowing that they are neck deep in illegal activities?”
“Aasia and Fletcher are two different things,” Bear grumbled. He guessed Sharp had confided in Arrow about what Bear learned about Fletcher. It wasn’t like Bear had told Sharp inconfidence, but what was happening, with the team questioning Bear’s abilities, made him a bit uncomfortable. These were his buddies, more like kin than friends, and when a team member started getting questioned it could get ugly fast.
“Is it though? This seems like a pretty cozy set up if you ask me.” Grimes lifted his Stetson, pushed a hand through his hair, then deposited the hat back.
“You really think she could be part of the scheme?” Bear had the strong urge to protect Aasia. Although the details were a bit murky, he’d also learned a lot about her, and he didn’t see her as the no scruples criminal that it would take to con people. In fact, he’d stand by her and say that she had more scruples than any of the men in the room all put together. Through each of their journeys they’d had to do questionable things, not only to stay alive and follow orders, but to save others.
“It doesn’t matter what anyone thinks. It only matters what the truth is.” Zane seemed to want to evade the discussion any further, and the chance of things escalating. “Anyway, we trust your judgement.”
