Page 71 of Spilled Coffee

Abbey’s dress clung precariously to her curves, her neckline plunging so low it seemed to defy gravity. “Ethan…” she chirped, her words slurring in a drunken melody as she leaned in closer. “You gonna join us? ” She tilted her head and giggled.

Ethan flicked a glance toward the bar where Devon stood, nursing a drink, and laughing at something the bartender said. “You know…” his voice came out tight and clipped as he pushed himself out of the seat with sudden urgency. “I don’t feel so good. I’m gonna head off.”

Brick tilted his head like a curious dog as he tried to process Ethan’s sudden shift in demeanor. “Okay… Uh, where’s Devon? He goin’ with you?” His words stumbled over themselves as Abbey distracted him by pressing kisses along his jaw.

“No,” Ethan replied quickly, forcing himself to remain composed. “He’s at the bar. I’m heading home alone.” He grabbed his jacket from the seat and slung it over his shoulder. “Tell him I’ll catch up with him later or something. My head’s spinning already. I can’t do this again tonight.”

Before anyone could protest, or worse, ask questions, he turned and with purposeful strides that betrayed none of the chaos roiling inside him, walked away.

Devon returned just as Ethan disappeared into the crowd. A faint furrow creased his brow as he glanced around. “Where’s your boy?” he asked, his voice carrying a hint of concern.

Brick squinted through Abbey’s insistent kisses, trying to focus as her lips continued along his neck, her hands tugging his shirt collar. “Ethan…” Brick finally managed, blinking hard as if that would clear the haze of distraction she was pulling him under. “Oh, he said he didn’t feel do good. Said he’d catch you later.”

Devon shrugged, his lips quirking into a sly grin as he caught sight of Abbey climbing onto Brick’s lap, her giggles soft but insistent. “You two need a room,” he added with a low chuckle. “I’m almost tempted to join in.”

Brick’s smile faltered, brows knitting together ever so slightly before smoothing out again as he reached for a drink. “Here,” he said quickly shoving the glass forward like it was some kind of peace offering.

Devon accepted without question, taking a slow sip before settling back in his seat. The tequila burned pleasantly warm in his throat and he watched as Lisa approached—her steps deliberate, her hips swaying just enough to catch his attention and hold it.

“Don’t leave me out,” she purred, sliding into his lap without waiting for an invitation. Her fingers trailed the line of his jaw before slipping lower. “I wanna play too.”

She leaned so close that Devon could smell the faint scent of her vanilla perfume as she shifted against him, her movements slow and deliberate, as though testing how far she could push him, or maybe herself. Letting out a soft moan, she tilted her head back and ground her hips against him with increasingurgency, her fingers slipping beneath the waistband of her panties in a way that made Devon’s pulse quicken despite himself.

“Aren’t you full of surprises,” he challenged, his hands settling instinctively on her hips.

Abbey let out a loud giggle from across the table, a high-pitched sound that added fuel to the fire already simmering between them.

Brick shifted uncomfortably but said nothing, choosing instead to drain what remained of his beer in one long swallow before slamming the empty bottle onto the table.

CHAPTER 36

Logan’s Jeeprolled into the lot with a deliberate slowness, as if the man behind the wheel was measuring every inch of the parking lot.

He parked near the back, leaving the engine running, then listened to it ticking over as he leaned forward, gripping the wheel, knuckles pale in the dim interior.

The neon glow of the sign above the club pulsed through his windshield and for a long moment Logan just sat there.

His face looked like it was carved from stone as he pulled a crumpled pack of cigarettes from his pocket, shaking one loose and striking a match. The flare of orange illuminated his face briefly and then settled into a faint ember as he took a drag.

It was an old habit that refused to die and as the cigarette dangled from his lips, the smoke curled through the open window, twisting into ribbons before escaping into the night air.

He’d told himself he wouldn’t follow—hell, Ethan could make his own damn choices. But here he was at almost midnight, parked outside the club like some washed-up detective in a noir film.

He stared at the entrance, imagining Devon inside, Ethan’s defiance crumbling under that bastard’s touch. “Fucking idiot,” he muttered, his hand clenched into a fist on his thigh.

He couldn’t shake the image playing on repeat in his head of Devon’s slick grin and those snake-like eyes that always seemed to find weaknesses. Just the thought of it made his jaw tighten until it ached.

He’d go in there—not to fight or drag Ethan out, but to watch.To make sure he was ok.He reminded himself. But if that bastard so much as looked at Ethan wrong… if he crossed the line, he wouldn’t hesitate—not this time.

He took another drag from the cigarette, letting the burn sear away some of his hesitation.

What the fuck am I doing here?Watching? Protecting? Or interfering because he couldn’t let go?

The truth gnawed at him like an old wound that hadn’t healed.

He hated that Ethan mattered this much—hated that he couldn’t stay away even when he knew he should. But more than that… he hated Devon for knowing exactly how to pull him back into his orbit every damn time.

The Jeep door groaned as he shoved it open and stepped outside. He tossed the cigarette into the gravel, watching the ember instantly die out, swallowed by darkness. Loose stones shifted under his boots, and he adjusted his stance, rolling his shoulders like a man preparing for battle, or maybe just bracing for what came next.

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