“No, let’s just go to that place on the way home. What’s it called? Rabid Dog?”
“The one that usually closes down each night with a bar brawl?” Ralen asked.
“That’s the one.”
Ralen rubbed his hands together with glee. “Good. I was wondering when we’d get to have a drink there.”
Cash shook his head. He should’ve known that Ralen would be up for it.
After locking up the warehouse, they headed out and got into Cash’s pickup.
Maybe tonight was the night something interesting would happen.
2
“We are not going to another bar, Monroe.”
“Yes, we are!”
“No, we’re not. This is getting ridiculous. We’re in a strange city, searching for a man we barely know, and our only clue is that he told you he works at a bar in Billings. We’ve been to twenty bars so far and no one has heard of him!”
“Which means he might work at the ones we’re going to tonight!” Monroe replied, getting up into Dotty’s face. “And I do know him. He’s my husband!”
“Who you married on a drunken whim in Las Vegas. You hadn’t even known him a day.”
Monroe shrugged. “He was a good tipper.”
Dotty just gaped at Monroe. “And that’s a good reason to marry him?”
“Well, he was also cute and fun. Do you remember what fun is, Dotty?” Monroe asked, hands on her hips.
“No! Because I’m too busy taking care of you in order to have any fun!”
The words slapped back and forth between them, making Addie grow more and more tense. A large boulder filled herstomach and she grabbed hold of Snaggles, who was on the couch next to her. Holding him up, she ran his ear under her nose in an effort to soothe herself.
Addie hated it when Dotty and Monroe fought. And that’s all they seemed to be doing on this trip. Addie didn’t like being away from home. The house she shared with her sisters was her safe space. Where she never had to interact with anyone. And no one could scare or judge her.
However, she’d known that she wouldn’t be comfortable staying in the apartment on her own.
This was the lesser of two evils.
She’d tried to tell herself that this might be a fun trip. That she’d get to spend some time with her sisters. Back home, Dotty worked really long hours. And when Monroe wasn’t working, she was out with friends. While Addie hid in her room like a coward.
But that seemed preferable to sitting here, watching her sisters fight.
“Monroe!” Dotty said, throwing her hands up into the air. “Can you hear how crazy you sound? You got married to a man because he gave you some tips and he was fun.”
“He paid attention to me.” Monroe crossed her arms over her chest and glanced away from Dotty.
Addie let out a sound of distress and Dotty turned to look at her. Addie’s oldest sister sighed and dropped her head. Her shoulders were slumped as she sat on the armchair across from where Addie was sitting.
“I’m sorry,” Dotty whispered. Poor Dotty. She looked so tired. Her strawberry-blonde hair was pulled back into a low ponytail, and since she hadn’t bothered with makeup today, so Addie could see the bags under her eyes. The pallor of her skin.
Dotty needed a proper vacation.
Monroe stared down at Dotty in surprise. She glanced over at Addie, her face softening as she ran her gaze over her.
Addie knew she probably looked terrified. When didn’t she? She now had her legs up against her chest, her feet on the sofa and was rubbing Snaggles’ ear under her nose.
