"Just don't get in trouble," I said.
That mischievous grin tugged the corners of his mouth again.
Shane was always one to push the limits. Following rules wasn't typically his strong suit. As you can imagine, that gave him a little bit of trouble in the Navy. By the tattoo on the inside of his forearm, I suspected he had gotten into a little trouble out of the Navy as well. Maybe a lot.
I knew a prison tattoo when I saw one.
"How much time did you do?” I asked, nodding to the Ace of Spades in faded blue-gray monochrome. The work was pretty good for a jailhouse tat, but the ink always gives it away. It was made with whatever they could scavenge. You had to be crazy to inject that stuff in your skin. Then again, sanity wasn’t always Shane's strong suit.
11
"Iwas in for a hot minute," Shane said. "But that's all behind me now.” He smiled. "The future is bright and looking brighter every day," he said, lifting his glass to toast.
Shane downed another shot, and so did we.
I flagged down a waitress and ordered two whiskeys for JD and me, thinking it wise to let the tequila be. Riley said she'd take a beer.
The waitress darted away.
Wade finally showed up at the table.
"I don't think you've met before," Shane said. "This is my little brother, Wade."
"Nice to meet you," I said, extending my hand.
We shook, and Wade pulled up a chair to sit at the end of the booth. He spun it around backwards and leaned against the back rest, a longneck dangling between his fingers.
Shane gave him a brief recap of our history in the Navy together.
"It's a pleasure to meet you both," Wade said. His eyes narrowed with recognition at Jack. "You're in Wild Fury, aren't you?"
Jack smiled. "Guilty as charged."
"Now that's my kind of music," Wade said. "Beats the dog shit out of this crap," he said, motioning to the band on stage. He looked at Shane. "You never told me you had famous friends."
"Famous might be a stretch," Jack said, feigning modesty.
"Give it time,” Wade said. “You guys are going places!”
"I'll put you on the guest list for the next show," Jack said. "That goes for all of you.”
"Much obliged," Wade replied. He leaned in and whispered, "Put me down for +2. I think these little blondes over here will enjoy the show," he said pointing back to the two beauties that lingered by the dance floor.
"You got it," Jack said.
"Now if you'll excuse me, gentlemen, I need to get back to business." Wade climbed off the chair, spun it around, and put it back under the table where it came from. He strutted back to the two beauties who were already getting hit on in his absence.
"The kid can't stop chasing it," Shane said.
"Who can?" JD replied.
Riley shook her head. "I think I'll leave you boys to it. I’ve got work in the morning.”
Shane looked at his watch—a Rolex OP, or a lookalike. "It's not that late yet.”
"Some of us have real jobs.”
Shane frowned at her.
