Page 30 of First Chance

“Proud of ya, kid,” Seiver says, and Curtis nods in shy acknowledgment.

“Frank?” Seiver prompts.

“Drugs,” Frank admits, not elaborating.

“Me, too. I’m sober 40 years,” Seiver admits proudly, before lifting his can to take a drink. “From drugs,” he clarifies with a wink in my direction, and it makes me chuckle.

“Boss, your turn,” Frank prompts, and everyone falls silent.

Chapter Ten

Jo

The crackling of the fire and the cicadas vibrating in the trees behind us grow louder as the anticipation of what’s to come weighs on us all. The stare down between Lochlan and Frank is more intense than the fire burning at the epicenter of this.

“She already knows, Frank. You can quit your games.”

My cheeks warm. Why am I being brought into this?

“No games. We’re all sharing, thought you’d like a turn.” He doesn’t even bother with his usual greasy smirk.

“Take a walk,” Lochlan demands. Hayes grips the arms of his chair beside me, and I curl further into my chair like it will protect me from whatever is about to happen.

Frank stands from his seat, tossing his drink into the fire, causing a burst of embers before choosing reason and stalking inside.

“I’ll make sure he goes to bed,” Seiver says, following him into the barn. Lochlan and Hayes exchange a glance, but both visibly relax.

“Don’t worry about it, Jo. He’s drunk,” Curtis tells me softly, attempting to ease the tensionin the air.

“And, we’re not drunk enough,” Rain quips, and the rest of them laugh. Just like that, the bonfire resumes.

More than an hour of talking and staying clear of anything particularly serious goes by. It’s chaotic and hilarious, and the most fun I’ve had in my entire life.

“Jo, why are you here?” Arizona asks me suddenly, drawing most of the attention to me. One set of dark eyes that I can feel burning into the side of my face.

“What do you mean? I needed a job?”

“No, I mean, why are you here with us? And, not out on a date with your boyfriend?”

“I guess I would be if I had a boyfriend,” I giggle as he slumps in his seat further, both of us clearly feeling our alcohol content.

“I’ve got some friends back home if you’re looking. No criminal history. Let me know.” He raises his can to clink my nearly empty one. My third nearly empty one.

“No, thanks. I’ve been set up enough for one lifetime.”

“What do you mean?” Jordy asks, tearing his eyes off of Arizona.

“My mother has arranged two engagements for me. Neither of which I consented to and had to bend over backwards to get out of.” His eyes go wide, and I throw my head back and laugh. When my neck lolls to the side, my throat constricts.

Lochlan’s staring into the fire with such hatred that I’m concerned for the well-being of the crushed can in his hand. I glance at Hayes beside me, and he’s looking at the fire with a smirk on his face. Except his amusement fades as soon as Arizona directs his attention to him.

“Jensen, do you have a woman out there somewhere?”

“I do.”

“Why the hell are you here, then?”

“Because she thinks I’m a ghost.”

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