Page 72 of Bone’s Choice

He looked at me. “You’re new here.”

“Obviously.”

He reached for a bottle, and I glanced over my shoulder.

Myth was back by Bone, and they were talking intently to each other. Maybe that phone call Myth had gotten wasn’t good.

I faced the bar and told myself I needed to stop checking on Bone.

Four days ago, I hadn’t known whether I’d even like working here.

Now I had friends, good tips, and a kickass next-door neighbor.

I grabbed the beers CL set down and put them on my tray.

I absolutely was not going to spend the rest of my shift checking where Bone was. Absolutely not.

Chapter Twelve

Bone

I’d been watching Hazel for the past hour.

Not constantly. At least, that was what I told myself.

I’d played two games of pool with Dealer. Lost one because Taco wouldn’t shut the fuck up behind me. Won the second because I’d threatened to break the cue over his head if he kept trying to give me advice.

I’d had three beers.

Talked to Myth.

Listened to Rowdy tell some story about a woman he’d met last weekend that I was pretty sure got more exaggerated every time he told it.

Normal Friday night.

Except no matter what the fuck I was doing, I knew where Hazel was. Every damn minute.

She’d come by the table twice to drop off another round.

The first time, Taco had been sitting with me and immediately shut his mouth when she walked up. That was suspicious enough. Taco never shut his mouth.

The second time, it had been me, Myth, and Bull.

She’d set my beer down in front of me, smiled, and asked if I needed anything else.

I’d almost told her exactly what I needed.

Her.

Instead, I’d said I was good, like an idiot.

Now she was across the bar carrying a tray loaded with empty bottles.

“You’re doing it again.”

I kept my eyes on Hazel. “Doing what?”

Myth chuckled beside me. “Nothing.”