Page 16 of North

To my surprise, the big man merely nods at Stevie, although he shoots a hateful look toward Penn. No doubt in my mind if it weren’t for Stevie, things would have gotten very bad. The two bikers move down the bar and conversation resumes, although at a hesitant and lowered volume.

I step backward as Stevie whirls around, pushing past me to snarl at Penn. “I don’t know what your problem is, but I’ve suddenly determined it’s because you’re an asshole. You started that and they just defended themselves. Get out of my bar and don’t come back.”

And as if to make sure the message is clear, Hendrix puts his hand on Stevie’s shoulder, not to restrain, but to show his support. His face is livid and I’d bet a pretty penny that Hendrix would like to take a swing at the man.

Penn’s face is a blank mask and I’m shocked that he doesn’t even have the common sense to apologize. He turns away from all of us and heads for the exit, King and Willa following him out.

Stevie pats Hendrix’s hand and it falls away from her shoulder. She lets out a pent-up breath before calling out, “Okay everyone. Excitement’s over. The next round is on me.”

The bar erupts in cheers and just like that, everyone is happily laughing again.

Except I’m not laughing and as I look at my buddies, not one of them is smiling. That was so disturbing, we’re all a bit speechless.

I head back to our tables, my eyes cutting to Farren who looks worried.

Atlas takes a long swig from his beer, then points at the door. “That dickhead suffers from an anatomical conundrum.”

“Anatomical conundrum?” Rafferty asks.

“Yeah, he needs to get his head out of his ass. That was not cool. He not only put himself at risk because we can’t afford to lose him to an injury, he put us at risk too because we would have defended him in an all-out brawl.”

“Why is he like that?” Tempe asks, looking around to all of us.

“No idea.” Rafferty bends and brushes his lips over her forehead, and it’s a move so tender, it makes me look back at Farren. She’s staring at her brother with a dreamy smile on her face, but I doubt it’s because she’s warmed by their romance. I think she’s just happy for him.

“You want to play some darts?” Farren asks her brother as he helps Tempe into her coat. “I can grab Atlas or North and we can play doubles.”

“Nah. We’re going to head out,” Rafferty says, and Farren looks disappointed. She arrived with them and her ride is getting ready to leave. I find myselfdisappointed because even if we can’t talk or touch, I do like being in her presence as I try to figure her out.

She cuts a very quick glance my way before looking back at her brother. “I think I’ll stay.”

I can’t help but smile. Is she thinking the same as me?

Rafferty is nonplussed, merely nudging Atlas. “What’s up?”

Rafferty nods at his sister. “I’m heading out, but Farren’s going to stay—”

Atlas holds out his palm. “Say no more. We’ve got her covered.”

I’ve got her covered. I’m going to make sure she gets home safely but until that moment I deliver her to Rafferty’s place, I’m going to take advantage of this situation.

It takes a hot minute for Rafferty and Tempe to get out the door. There are hugs, backslaps, fist bumps, kisses on cheeks among the women, and then finally they’re gone.

I turn to see Farren standing there with darts in her hand.

I glance down at them and nod. “Want to play?”

“Yes,” she says, moving in a little closer. There’s no one around us but she pitches her voice lower. “Except not really interested in playing darts.”

I lift an eyebrow. “Oh yeah? What do you want toplay?”

Farren appraises me a long moment but rather than answer, she looks to her left and calls out, “Stevie… got a moment?”

Stevie smiles, touches Hendrix’s arm to indicate she’ll be back and moves over to us. “What’s up?” she asks Farren.

“I need a private place I can talk to North,” she says, and I blink in surprise. Stevie’s forehead puckers with worry and Farren murmurs to her, “I’m a little worried with something about Rafferty and I was hoping to bend North’s ear a moment.”

Stevie doesn’t even question the sincerity of the request or consider an alternative reason for needing privacy. Her smile breaks free, eager to help, and she reaches into her front jeans pocket. “Absolutely. I don’t have an office, but the stockroom is private. Here’s the key.”

---