“A road name is the name your biker brothers give you.”
“Oh.So, Colt isn’t his real name.”
“Nope.Bandit.My road name was Bandit.”
Bandit.
“Did you hold up stagecoaches or something?”I asked in wry humor.
“I was a thief—” he replied blandly, “—of hearts.”
“No ...”My lips pursed.“You’re kidding.”
“I wish I was.”
“You mean there’s a trail of ladies’ broken hearts in your wake?Bandit.”My laugh was sardonic.“Of course, your name is Bandit.Reformedmy ass.I don’t buy that.”
“No?Why not?”
“Shay for one.The bartender at the Copper Mule.Something happened there.”
“Nothing happened there.We’ve flirted.Meant nothing.You know a little something about flirting, too, right?”
I glowered at him.“What about with Ms.Thomas?I was catching the vibes between you two.”
“No vibes.That was just talking.”
“Not from where I was standing.She’s into you.”
He shrugged.“Doesn’t matter if she is.I’m not into her.”
“Right.She’s funny and pretty and clearly good with kids and?—”
“But she’s notyou.”
“Why would you tell me about your road name?”I asked in frustration.“I already told you I’m afraid you’ll break my heart ...and guys like you never change.”I wiped my wet hands on a dishrag and then threw it onto the counter and escaped upstairs.
The soft sounds of music drifted from underneath Lenni’s door.She had Mildred, but I was in desperate need of a furry companion, and the one I wanted wasn’t an option.
“Come in,” Lenni called after I knocked.
I opened the door.Lenni was sitting on her bed, propped up against her headboard with a book in hand.
“What are you reading?”I asked.
She turned the book toward me so I could read the title.
“You like it?”I asked.
“It’s okay.”She shrugged.When I continued to stand there without saying anything, she asked, “Did you want something?”
“Sorry,” I said, forcing a smile.“I was just gonna grab Mildred.WhereisMildred?”
She flung back the covers to reveal the dog who was looking far too comfortable.
“Never mind,” I said.“Who are you listening to?”
“The Fruit Bats,” she said.“Silas told me about them.”
