Page 4 of Score on You

I feel my mouth twitch as Garrett attempts to soothe their ruffled feathers in that calm tone of his. It served him well on the football field and has a similar effect on this flock. If it were up to me, these ladies would already be halfway to Bent Pedal. Our competition just down the block will easily fulfill their needs if Casey and Adam are tending the bar. But chasing off customers isn’t a great look, even for me.

“We can play nice, right?” Garrett knows my answer, which is why he sends me a warning glare over his shoulder.

“Is that my cue?” Even if it’s not, I’m overdue for a reprieve.

Garrett shoos me away. “Yeah, yeah. Disappear into the shadows until you’re capable of peopling without mouthing off.”

“Don’t hold your breath,” I mutter while turning to the comfort a darkened corner will provide.

Conversations carry on as I make my retreat. One is louder—the speaker instantly identifiable—compared to the others. “Do you know of any available apartments in town?”

The inquiry is met with a giggle. “Already planning to flee your palace?”

A mulish snort responds. “As if. That man will never let me go.”

“Damn straight,” comes a grumbled reply.

Feminine coos fondle the unmistakable male’s ego. “Then what’s with the search?”

“Remember Callie?”

The mention of that very particular girl halts my progress while the exchange continues.

“Pssssh, duh. Love her,” the unrecognizable voice gushes.

“Same, which is why I’m asking around. She just found out her landlord defaulted on his property taxes. He’s been getting away with it for who knows how long and now his tenants have to pay the price. She has until the end of the month to find a new place to live.”

I’m striding toward Harper before she’s done speaking. “What about Callie?”

Our most recent hire startles at my abrupt interruption. She’s great at slinging drinks, but her side hustle of socializing gets tiring. Except when the chatter revolves around a certain brunette beauty.

“Well, hello there.” The bubbly bartender wiggles her fingers in my general direction.

“Tell me what’s happening with Callie,” I bark.

My reaction might be considered irrational, but that’s what Calliope Porter does to me. I’m damn near obsessed even though we’ve never exchanged more than eye contact. There’s something about her that’s seduced me into submission. The shy glances and timid smiles—no matter how rare—have me hooked on her. I’m claimed. Taken. Hers. I plan to give Callie whatever she desires. That list better include me, or I’m fucked. And not in the pleasurable sense.

Her best friend is aware of my infatuation—mostly due to the fact that I respond like this—and she doesn’t miss an opportunity to dangle the bait until I’m ready to pounce. It’s been months of torture. This moment is no exception.

Harper quirks her brow, her arms loosely crossed, as she pivots to face me. “You’re getting predictable, boss. I just have to say her name and you magically appear.”

A muscle in my clenched jaw lunges impatiently. “Spit it out.”

Instead, the sassy smartass flutters her lashes. “Didn’t you catch the gist while eavesdropping? It’s becoming a habit whenever my bestie is involved.”

I pinch the bridge of my nose. “If you don’t quit avoiding the subject, I’m gonna—”

“Better consider your next words to my wife,” Jake Evans drawls from his usual stool. The asshole is a regular at Roosters and a general pain in my ass. His protective streak for those he cares about is his only redeemable quality.

Harper blows him a noisy kiss. “Love you, Jerky Jacob.”

“For fuck’s sake,” I grind out.

Garrett tunes into my demise and begins cackling like this is a staged roast. Go fucking figure. “Ah, shit. Crusher is gonna do some damage if you don’t spill the beans, Harps.”

He isn’t wrong, especially with the audience our spat has attracted. I rub my neck to ease the growing tension. It’s a small miracle that Drake is nowhere to be seen. Two against one are odds I prefer to avoid.

“Okay, fine. I’ll put you out of your misery and ruin my fun.” She rolls her eyes, still stalling. “Callie is getting kicked out of her apartment thanks to that dumbass crook who calls himself a landlord.”

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