Page 3 of Just a Little Prick

Immediately, I texted back.

Overslept. On my way, be there asap.

I pushed myself out of bed. Erica rolled into the spot I’d just left, but didn’t wake. Good—no awkward goodbyes. I threw my clothes back on and left, pulling her door shut quietly behind me.

The walk back to the bar was short, and No Regrets wasn’t too far of a drive. A few cars littered the parking lot. The Republic was fairly new, replacing an older dive bar in the same place. The owners had revamped it so it would draw in the college crowd.

It did. It also brought in the same old crowd that had made it a dive bar before.

Richland, Kentucky would always be the same place. It didn’t help that The Republic was also right across the parking lot from The Depot, a biker bar.

I parked in the street a few doors down from No Regrets and walked into Bakeology. Coffee sounded like the best idea at the moment. It would help with the headache, at least, and chase away the taste left in my mouth from last night.

The bell above the door to the bakery chimed as I pulled it open. Kenzie looked up, her blond hair pulled into a ponytail. She studied me for a moment, and her smile quickly turned into a knowing smirk.

Of course she had me figured out.

“Seriously, another?” she teased, already working on a coffee for me. Kenzie knew me too well. I guessed it came with being my sister.

I moved to lean on the counter, enjoying the smell of dark roast and fresh pastries.

“A late night, for sure,” I said. “And no, not another.” Technically, I hadn’t closed the deal.

“Mm-hmm.” The sarcastic tone made me chuckle. “Where’d you meet her? The bar? When will you ever learn? I’m glad I’m not there to see that anymore. Was she at least a keeper?”

I couldn’t have been happier when Kenzie chose to move out and get her own place, although I miss her keeping it clean.

She snapped a lid on to a disposable cup and handed it to me.

“Nosy,” I replied. I took a sip. Perfect. It even tasted like she’d added an extra shot. “Yes, I met her at the bar. No, we did not hook up.”

“Liar.” Kenzie nodded to the pastry case. Her eyes were bright with laughter. We always picked at each other like this; it was part of how we showed each other love. “You getting breakfast or not? You look like you need some carbs.”

I heaved a sigh and turned my attention to the pastries. Behind the counter, the new girl was working on something. She was cute, with strawberry blond hair and nice curves, dressed in a Bakeology t-shirt and jeans. I wondered if she was single, but didn’t ask. I didn’t know her that well.

“Yeah,” I said. “Can I get a lemon poppyseed muffin?”

Kenzie grabbed a piece of paper to grab it. “Fancy,” she said. “You want a bag?”

“Nah, I’m gonna eat it on the go.”

“Cool.” Kenzie rang me out, giving me the family discount, and took my money. She dropped my change in the tip jar without asking.

I didn’t complain.

“Have a good day, yeah?” She smiled. “Make some good art for me!”

“Will do. Make some good cupcakes. Save me one of those little rum bastards. I’ll be back at lunch.” I waved, then turned to head out the door.

I finished the muffin by the time I reached No Regrets. I opened the door; Zoe immediately looked up, then pointedly looked at the clock.

“Didn’t realize we were making our own hours now.” She leaned over the counter, yelling into the back. “Benny! Can I go home and come back in, like, four hours?”

“Shut up, Zoe,” Benny called back. He glanced up, blue eyes fixing me with a disappointed look, then went back to work on his client. At the station behind him, Logan was watching me too, dark eyes bright with laughter. He shook his head before turning away.

I rolled my eyes and leaned on the counter. “Overslept. It was an accident.”

“Was it? You sure it wasn’t a morning quickie?” She nodded toward my clothes. “I liked that outfit yesterday, too. Smelled better then, though.”

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