Page 83 of Brother In Arms

“I think a girl’s shopping trip is probably just about something you need right now.”

I put my hands on the counter and leaned on them, thinking furiously. “I’ll have to go by the bank in person and pull some cash,” I said and Ashton smiled, nodding. “Except I don’t have ID anymore. Everything went up with the house.”

“No passport?” Ashton asked meekly.

“In the safe, in my house.”

“Might have survived,” Rush said.

“Wasn’t a fireproof safe, just more anti-theft,” I said grimacing.

“Well, to be fair, you weren’t expecting the place to burn down because a greedy developer threw Molotov cocktails at it.”

“I don’t think anyone expects that shit,” Hayden said laughing.

“Your old man is rubbing off on your language choices.” Rush teased.

“Damn right he is,” Hayden said grinning.

“Trigger’s my old man,” Ashton said to me and her smile turned seven different kinds of amazing. I looked at Rush and sort of had the inkling that I was beginning to know the feeling.

“Listen, Sunshine,” he ventured and she put up a hand. “I know she’s good for it, she’s a Berling. Don’t worry about it, Bailey. We’ll get you something decent to wear and take you to the DMV to have your license replaced tomorrow. You can pay me back.”

“Oh, I can’t ask that…”

“You didn’t,” Hayden said with a wink. “We offered and it’s gonna happen. It’s really nothing.”

“Thank you,” I murmured, surprised at how much of a weight was lifted off my shoulders.

“We take care of each other, it’s what we do.” Hayden said with a wink and took a drink from her beer.

“I’ll get you two some dinner if you want to get settled somewhere.”

“What do you think? Taproom, media room, or out by the fire?”

“Anywhere but near a fire,” I said meekly.

“I’d avoid the news stations if I were you,” Hayden said taking another swig from her beer.

“Can I get one of those?” I asked.

“Yeah, sure. Come on out here.” Rush took my hand and led me out into the taproom and to an empty table.

“Food will be right out,” Ashton called after us, “I’m just going to heat it up.”

“Thanks, Sunshine!”

I took the chair that Rush pulled out for me and he went behind me, back around the bar. The hiss and plink of bottle caps being removed and he was back, handing me a beer, two to a hand, and setting down a glass with a bit of bourbon in it.

I smiled, “Trying to get me drunk?” I asked downing the bourbon first.

“Trying to get lucky,” he said with a wink.

“Pretty sure that’s in the cards.” I said and he pulled an arm back and said, “Ungh! Yes!”

I laughed at him and a moment later two plates were set in front of us and silverware was handed out. I smiled and thanked Ashton, already more at ease, relaxing bit by bit with every kind gesture and every little comfort. The food was barbecue ribs, potato salad, and corn on the cob and all of it was fantastic when paired with the crisp hoppy-ness that was the beer.

“Feel better?” he asked when we were done eating.

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