Page 8 of Left In The Dark

“Looks like you really know what you’re doing with that stick and ball,” he whispers in my ear after I make an easy shot.

I grit my teeth. “I’m a little out of practice but I seem to be getting along okay.”

“I’ll say.” He gives me a once-over. “So where’d you come from and what brings you here?

“Work,” I lie. I mean kinda, sorta. It’s not my main reason, but I do have to get a job ASAP, and I’d prefer it to be a steady income with benefits.

“Ah, and what would that be? Sexy cowboy?” He licks his lips. Oh, he really is something else.

“No, construction.”

His eyes brighten. “That’s even hotter. You get to ride a lot of equipment and drill lots of holes, huh?”

I scoff. “Sure, and I should probably head home to sleep so I have enough energy to do it tomorrow.”

“How about you take me somewhere and get a little warm‑up going tonight?”

I’m about to tell him to fuck off and then an idea strikes me. Maybe taking my bully to the back of some alleyway to fuck him and leave him panting against a wall wouldn’t be such a bad idea. I’d use him the same way he did everyone else, maybe strip him of his clothes and leave him hobbling naked back into the bar. I smile on the inside, pressing my body more into his.

“Where did you have in mind?” I lift a brow.

“Your place, perhaps?”

“How about somewhere closer? The back of your car?”

He nibbles on his bottom lip. “I don’t have mine with me but we can use yours.”

Jimmy shoots me a curious glance while saying, “What the fuck?” with his eyes.

“Yeah. We can use mine. How about you wait for me outside while I close my tab?”

“Yeah, alright.” He chugs back the rest of his drink and slams his glass down beside me. “Don’t keep me waiting too long.”

He saunters away, swaying his hips, and looks back at me before exiting the establishment.

“What the fuck was that?” Jimmy demands.

“Holy fuck, was that Blake Mitchell?” Reese asks. “I mean, I heard he was back in town but I’d yet to run into him. Guess my damn luck has run out. Or maybe not, cause now that I think about it, he’s kinda sexy, no?”

“Definitely no,” Jimmy and I say at the same time. Lydia remains quiet, sitting on one of the stools, leisurely sipping her beer and turning away from us. I know that look. It’s the “I’m staying out of this” look.

“I need to borrow your car for a bit. Can I have your keys?”

Jimmy’s eyes snap back to me. “Hell fucking no. Not if you’re going to do what I think you’re going to do. It has nothing to do with my car either, cause if it was any other guy I’d be cheering you on, but him?” His eyes bounce between the door and me. “Did you forget what he did to you? Did you forget he was your dad’s sugar baby, or whatever the fuck was happening on that app they shared photos with each other on.”

I sigh, rubbing my temples. “I’m very aware of all of it, and that’s why I want to do it. Just wanna give him a little taste of his own medicine is all.”

His eyes blink rapidly. “You saying you’re doing this to fuck with him?”

“Oh, I’m totally on board with this,” Reese interrupts.

“And I think this is the time I stop minding my business.” Lydia jumps down from her seat. “You can’t seriously think any good will come of this?”

“Why not?” I shove my hands in my pockets, standing taller.

“Because. It has bad idea written all over it. Just turn him down and go back to hanging with us. That’s a better way of getting back at him. Leaving him waiting and standing his ass up.”

Jimmy slams his keys to my chest. “You know how much I love backing a bad idea. I don’t know what you have planned, but that look in your eyes tells me it’s a good one.”