Page 142 of Firecracker

His muscles twitched with the need for action. His heart beat a rapid, uneven rhythm. He rubbed his mouth.

“Take care, buddy.” Jamie started toward the door. “Let us know when you’re coming home.”

Tyler shook his head and focused on Jamie again. “Is she still here?”

Halfway across the room, Jamie turned. “Arden? Yeah.”

“Tomorrow.”

Jamie’s head cocked.

“I’m coming home tomorrow. But…wait.”

Jamie took two steps back toward him, one eyebrow cocked.

“Come back.” Tyler jerked his head and swallowed. “I might need some help.”

* * *

Liam’s jaw dropped when he looked up from the bar and saw her standing there.

“Hi.” Arden smiled tentatively at him.

“A chara. You’re back.”

She gave him a crooked smile. “I don’t suppose you need a waitress? I’m looking for a job.”

He smiled slowly. “As a matter of fact, we could use some help. Someone experienced. Someone beautiful who charms the customers. You’ll do.”

“Thank you.” Her throat clogged up, and she swallowed as she climbed onto a barstool, setting her purse on the bar. “I screwed up.”

“Yes. Yes, that you did. But screwups can be fixed.”

“Apparently not.” She sucked on her bottom lip. “That’s what Jamie told me. So I went to see Tyler.” Her throat squeezed shut again, and she couldn’t get the words out. She bent her head.

“We went to see him last night,” Liam said quietly. “He seemed a little narky.”

She nodded even though she didn’t know exactly what that meant.

“Probably bollucksed from the drugs,” he continued, as if he knew she couldn’t talk. “But it sounds like he’s going to recover.”

She nodded miserably.

“Did you tell him you screwed up?”

She nodded again. “He said thanks.”

“Thanks?”

“For apologizing.” She lifted her head, determined not to cry. “So I guess I can’t fix that screwup. But…” She smiled bravely. “I can get my old job back. I’m sorry, Liam. I shouldn’t have run away like that.”

“No, you shouldn’t have. But I think Tyler loves you, so maybe there’s still hope.”

“It’s okay.” She rubbed her mouth. “It’s going to be awkward until I can find somewhere else to live, though.” She’d already gone online and perused apartments in the area. Ugh. Rent was going to take nearly her whole income, and that was just for a crappy little studio apartment. But whatever. It had to be done. “I might need a raise.”

Liam choked. “A raise, you say?”

She grinned. “Come on, you know I deserve it.”

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