Page 12 of Bolt's Flame

She offered a small shrug, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear. “I just wanted to help. Felt like I should do something useful.”

I frowned, leaning against the bar as I looked at her. “You’re a guest here. No one expects you to do anything.”

“I know,” she said, eyes dropping to her hands. “But sitting around all day makes me feel... useless.”

There was a sadness in her voice that tugged at something inside me. I found myself wanting to say something, anything, to make that look go away.

“How are you feelin’?” I asked, keeping my tone soft because I really wanted to know.

She glanced back up at me, surprised by the question. “Better. The creams Rune gave me helped a lot.”

I nodded, recalling the herbal concoctions Rune was always whipping up in his building out back. “Good. Glad to hear it.”

An awkward silence settled between us, the noise of the party fading into the background as we stood there. I wasn’t sure what else to say, and it seemed she didn’t either.

“Well, I should probably get back,” she finally said, gesturing toward the table where Horse was watching us with a scrutinizing gaze.

“Right. Of course,” I said, stepping back to give her space. “If you need anything, just let me know.”

She offered a small smile, and for a moment, her eyes seemed to brighten. “Thank you, Bolt.”

As she walked away, I found myself watching her again, unable to tear my gaze away. There was something about her, something that drew me in despite myself. And fuck, her ass was just as round and full as...

“Makin’ friends, are we?” Horse’s deep voice rumbled behind me. I turned to find him standing a few feet away, arms crossed over his chest, eyes narrowed. Damn, he had snuck up on me.

“Just helpin’ out,” I replied, meeting his gaze evenly.

He studied me for a moment before his expression softened slightly. “Appreciate you lookin’ out for her.”

I shrugged, trying to play it off. “She’s family. We take care of our own.”

“That we do,” he agreed, but there was a hint of warning in his tone. “Just remember, she’s been through a lot. Last thing she needs is more complications.”

I nodded, understanding his meaning loud and clear. “I get it. No worries.”

He seemed satisfied with that, clapping a hand on my shoulder before moving back toward the table. I watched him go, then turned back to the bar, signaling for another drink.

As I took a swig of the cold beer, I couldn’t help but glance back at Fiona one more time. She was laughing again, andagainit was that fucking Gearhead that made it happen. Was he just being nice, or was he interested? Horse didn’t seem to mind him sitting there laughing right along. That pissed me off. Yes,Gearhead was younger than me and didn’t hit and ditch as often as I did, but he fucked around just the same.

I gave myself a mental shake. Shit, I sounded like a jealous boyfriend; I need to get a grip.

GEARHEAD WAS FUNNY, the kind of funny that madeyou forget everything for a while. His jokes came so easily, and he had this effortless way of making people around him laugh. His golden eyes were warm, kind, and when he smiled, they crinkled at the corners, lighting up his whole face. With his dark hair and easygoing nature, he was the kind of handsome that put people at ease. Which was nice, since I needed the distraction.

Thelaughter.

Anything to push thoughts of James out of my head, if only for a few minutes.

James.

No matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t completely block him out. Dad and Brenda took me to the courthouse only to be told that North Carolina only allows for no-fault divorce and Jamesand I have to be separated for a year.A frigging year!I cried all the way back to the clubhouse feeling so defeated.

And hewaslooking for me.

James had tried to call, sent text messages wanting me to come home, saying he loved me, and we could work this out. When he got no reply, he pretended to be concerned that something bad had happened to me. Dad had smashed my phone under his boot, not realizing I had it, and gave me another one to use.

That wouldn’t stop James, and with every second that passed, I knew his anger was festering, growing, and it terrified me. That fear lived just beneath the surface, always there, always creeping in. I forced myself to look up from the table, trying to shove those thoughts away.

And once again, my gaze landed on Bolt.

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