Page 11 of Hawk

“What did you think you saw?”

“I thought I saw Butch.” My shoulders slumped, and I shook my head. “I thought I was over this.”

Andy was one of only a few people who knew what I’d been through before I came to Vesper, and he’d been nothing but super supportive. He was also the one who’d saved me from a jerk-faced loser months ago at Kirby’s—the local gay club his boyfriend owned with his brother. That was a big part of why I’d started taking self-defense classes. I’d saved myself once by running away, but when that jackwagon Sebastian had targeted me that night, I’d frozen.

I don’t know what it was about me that attracted assholes, but I was taking steps to make sure if it ever happened again, I was prepared.

“Hey, you went through hell, but you pulled yourself back out. It’s not surprising that you’re still jumpy.”

“I know. Let’s just check out the roses and then get out of here.” I was like ninety percent positive it wasn’t him, but that ten percent was enough to make me anxious and to keep me from enjoying the market. I hated it, but it was my reality.

“Sure thing. Do you want to come back to my place and play with Seph?” I didn’t miss the way he used his dog, Persephone, to offer me a way to avoid going home alone. Some days, I might’ve tried to put on a brave face and insist I was fine. But I hadn’t seen Seph in ages, and I kind of wanted to go see her—not to mention the fact that I really was pretty shook up.

“That sounds good. Will Jesse be home?” I didn’t want to impose if they were planning to spend the day together.

“Nah. They’re having a queer bingo at the club today, and Victor’s out of town, so he had to work. They make sure at least one of them is there for any of the event nights.”

“Okay. As long as you and Jesse don’t have plans, I’ll come hang out with you.”

It didn’t take me long to pick out a few mini rose bushes and pay for them before loading them into my car. No matter how many times I told myself I was being ridiculous, thinking I’d seen Butch had spooked me—and I didn’t relax until I was on the road to Andy’s house.

An hour later, we’d demolished the food and were a couple of episodes into a new show we’d both wanted to watch. I was sitting on one end of the couch with his dog’s head in my lap, mindlessly stroking her velvety ears.

“You know, you really should get a dog now that you’re out of that apartment.”

I looked down at Seph. She looked like she was sound asleep, but I knew better. If I stopped the pets, her eyes would fly open, giving me a wounded look like I’d betrayed her. I’d seen it before.

“I’m really thinking about it. I like not having roommates, but it’s really quiet now that it’s just me.”

“Well, you can consider dog-sitting Seph while we go out of town as a test run, then.”

I often pet-sat for Andy when they traveled, but usually, I stayed at his house. However, they were having some work done on the house while they were gone this time, so I’d offered to bring her home with me.

“I doubt any dog I got would be half as good as she is, but I’m looking forward to spoiling her. I know you’re ready to get back out on the water now that it’s warmed up some.”

“I am. I wish we could go this weekend, but since Daddy Night is this Saturday, we have to wait. Youarestill coming to the club with us, aren’t you? Daddy night is way more fun when you’re there. Besides, it’s the day after my birthday, and we need to celebrate.”

“You just want someone to keep you company so you don’t notice all the pretty boys flirting with your Daddy behind the bar.”

“Nah, that doesn’t bother me, because number one”—he held up a finger —“I can’t blame them because my Daddy is hot AF. And number two”—he added another finger—“I know who he’s going home with.”

I smiled at my friend. I was so happy for him. He’d been a bit of a mess when he first came to town, but now he had a job he loved and a man to call his own. Truth was, I didn’t know anyone who deserved it more than Andy did.

“So anyway, you’ll be there, right? Caleb and Keith are coming, which means Keith will drive us so we can drink as much as we want to.”

“I’m planning on going, but I’ll get a rideshare there so Keith and Caleb don’t have to go out of their way to get me.”

“Doesn’t matter to me how you get there, as long as you come.”

Chapter five

Mika

Caleb and Keith pulled up in front of my house at 7:30. It wasn’t the rideshare I’d planned to order, but I should’ve known that wouldn’t fly with Caleb’s Daddy. Instead, they’d insisted on driving past the club to come and get me. It didn’t make sense, but I wasn’t going to argue about a free ride if it made Keith feel better.

I’d been watching for them, so I hurried out, waiting while Caleb got out on the passenger’s side to let me climb into the back seat of Keith’s souped-up muscle car.

Caleb looked back over the seat and shook his head. “Damn, Mika, you look amazing.”

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