Page 9 of Manny

I smile. “Where am I driving you?”

She sighs. “You’re really going to let me eat?”

I thumb toward my chest. “Good guy, remember?”

“You’re the best.”

I just wish to God I wasn’t in the friend zone.

2

LACE

I sigh into my coffee.This is bad. I didn’t get the rental.

I’ve been working my butt off in Hustler’s coffee shop, Muso’s, over in the French Quarter near Jackson Square. The tips aren’t bad, but it’s not as though I’m banking like crazy. Hustler is Priest’s Dad. He’s a good guy, and I like working for him. He lets us get on with our jobs and doesn’t treat us like idiots, which is refreshing.

“Are you okay, hon?” Audrina asks. Of course, like most of the crew around here, she’s related to the MC. Her son is Nevada, one of the Tail Gunners for the club and Star’s old man. Tail Gunners ride at the back, keeping charge of the pack and all the other motorcycles during our club runs.

Star and Halo, Riot’s ol’ lady, work together and are active in the group chat I’m now privy to.

Audrina works a few shifts to help Hustler out, but I secretly think they have something going on. I’m not sure how Nevada feels about his mom hooking up with Priest’s dad, but I think it’s super cute. He’s a silver fox and pretty hot for an old guy. They’d make a cute couple.

“Another rejection,” I tell her. Audrina has become someone I confide in. She’s super nice, and smart, and in her late forties, so she knows shit. “This rental market is tough.”

“Something will come up, you’ll see.”

“I love how you always look on the bright side.” I smile.

She finishes wiping the counter down and tucks her notepad and pen into the front of her apron. “Getting all mopey won’t help matters. It’ll turn around.”

I look up at her. “Something’s different about you.” I narrow my eyes. “Audrina, don’t lie to me. I know that flushed cheeks look anywhere.”

“I don’t know what you mean.” She turns her back on me, but I can’t be fooled.

“Are you getting some from the boss?” I whisper, looking over my shoulder to make sure Hustler can’t hear us. He’s conveniently around whenever Audrina is on shift and helps out in the kitchen. Though, wherever there’s a gaggle of women, Hustler is sure to be found. Something about that silver fox fantasy seems to send women into a tailspin. The man is a machine, but he takes it all in his stride.

Audrina turns, her cheeks bright red and her eyes wide. “Oh my God, Lace! You did not just say that!” She flicks her head toward the kitchen frantically. “And can you please lower your voice!”

I chuckle. “So you are?”

“No. I’m not, and a young lady shouldn’t be speaking like that about their boss, or anyone. West has been so accommodating to a lot of people in this town…” She’s babbling, and she refuses to call Hustler by his biker name. She’s also very proper. Lord knows how she bore a child like Nevada. He used to be a fuck boy, according to the ol’ ladies of the club, but changed his ways when he met Star, and now they’re all loved up.Another one bites the dust.

“Keep your panties on. I was just joking, but now I’m super suspicious.” She flicks me with a dish towel, narrowly missing my butt. “Hey!”

“I mean it. Bosses are off limits for that kind of talk.”

“Is that because you’re sworn to secrecy about the length of his?—”

“Everything okay?” Hustler appears at the doorway, a bright smile on his face as he looks at Audrina.It’s so obvious.

We both jump like kids getting caught with their hands in the cookie jar. Audrina makes a choking sound as I try not to lose it.

Sadly, I can’t contain my laughter. “We thought we saw a spider,” I blurt, patting Audrina on the back. “She doesn’t like creepy crawlies.”

Hustler’s brow knits together. “I can have a look for you. Where did you think you saw it?”

He’s staring at Audrina, her cheeks still flushed with embarrassment about what I was going to say about his dick. You can’t tell me that there’s no juice flowing between these two. I don’t believe it.

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