Page 68 of The Devil's Redemption

“Same to you. So where do you fit in to all of this?” I twirl my finger around at the space around us, regarding the club as a whole.

“I’m a parts supplier. They come to me for different things for the garage from time to time.”

“Oh, okay. I didn’t recognize you from town. I’m sorry. I work at Ellie’s and practically live there. So if you’re not a frequent diner guest, I wouldn’t know you.”

“You know, in all the years I’ve lived here, I’ve never been there to eat. I’m usually a microwave-dinner-in-front-of-the-TV kind of guy.”

“Well, you should come in some time.”

“Yeah, maybe I will.”

As innocent as the conversation was, I can feel Blade’s grip on me getting tighter.

Really?

A skank hoe can run all up on you, but I can’t have a simple conversation with a guy?

Talk about a double standard.

But I’ll pick my battles because the last thing I need is to get Blade mad at me. He’s been so wonderful, and I don’t want to make him feel like I’m ungrateful.

“I’m empty,” I swirl my empty beer bottle around. “Does anyone need another drink?”

“I’m good,” Josh answers.

“Nope,” answers Cap.

“You need to be careful,” Hawk warns. “You’re still recovering.”

“Yeah, yeah, yeah,” I playfully roll my eyes before planting another kiss to Blade’s lips and slipping off toward the bar.

Where is Maggie?

After I left her to get dressed in Blade’s room, I went into the bathroom and removed my underwear. She was still getting dressed, and I didn’t know what to do with them, so I put them in my pocket. Maybe after I get a drink, I’ll go up and check on her. Then I can finally get these panties out of my pocket.

Kid is behind the bar, handing out beers and shots to everyone who needs one.

“Aren’t you allowed to have fun tonight, too?” I ask him.

“I’m having fun,” he lies.

“You’re a really bad liar, you know that?” I shout over the music that someone just cranked up.

I don’t recognize the song. It’s by some heavy metal band. I hope this isn’t the only music we’ll be listening to tonight. I don’t think I can handle more than one of these songs in a row.

Kid offers me a half smile and passes me another beer.

“Want a shot?” he asks me.

“Oh, no thank you. I’m not a big drinker—”

“She can’t handle it, Kid. She’s a weakling,” I hear someone interrupt from beside me.

I already know who it is before I even look.

“Excuse me?” I respond, my eyebrows cocked higher than they’ve ever been.

“You heard me. You’re fucking weak.”

---