Page 33 of Darlin'

"Carrots and hummus isn't dinner, Savannah," Jesse notes quietly as a barren forest comes on the TV screen. "Have some fucking chips."

"Fine," I say, pulling out a small handful. "Just a couple."

"Good girl," he whispers as I chomp down on a chip, savoring the rich flavor.Mmm. "There's more if you want some."

How can something so bad tasteso dang good?

CHAPTER 10

Rattle Some Snakes

"This was a horrible idea,"Jesse mutters as we enter The Flying Hog. He rubs the nape of his neck, skeptical gaze flittering across the crowded bar; half the Friday night patrons are already liquored out of their minds. "Maybe I should take you home. I can close up early or?—"

"Relax, it'll be fine. It's not much different from any other day," I say as we weave through the crowd toward the bar front. Andy flashes Jesse and me a tight-lipped smile. And it's begun. "Evening, Andrea, you're lookingCorpse Brideas ever tonight."

Do I really want to spend the next six hours working with a walking mosquito? No, I do not. But I was raised to help those in need and to show my gratitude whenever I can. So here I am, on a Friday night, surrounded by dozens of armed, boozed-up bikers and a bartender that would chew my head up if given the correct cutlery. Momma would be proud.

Well...that's debatable.

"Donotcall me Andrea," she spits, whipping her big ole head at Jesse. "What's she doing here? Where's Gina?"

Jesse's features harden. "Gina asked to have the night off. Apparently,someonerubbed her the wrong way last night." He gives Andy an all-too-knowing look. "Care to explain?"

Andy scoffs, rolling her eyes. "That bitch tried to short me on tips last night, okay? I just stood up for myself."

"She said you punched her in the face," Jesse states, unimpressed. My eyes widen. She punched her?! Sizing up Andy's tall and fit physique, there is no doubt in my mind that she'd be able to whoop my ass. "I've told you before, if you have a problem, take it up with me."

"How can I?" Andy scowls. "You don't answer my calls."

"Then maybe call me during business hours," Jesse retorts in a clipped tone. "Not at 3 a.m. when your blood's mostly vodka and downers."

Andy expels a harsh laugh. "What? Does that trigger you now, JP? Remind you of?—"

"That's enough!" Jesse slams his fist on the counter, forcing me to jump back. His livid gaze flits between Andy and me. "Both of you, get to work." He pauses as Andy and I remain quiet. "Now!"

"Right away," I say, rushing behind the bar to drop off my purse as Jesse storms off into the clubhouse.

Daddy used to get mad a lot in my early years, so I'm used to shouting and loud noises, but Jesse's outbursts appear to only emerge in the presence of Andy. Daddy got angry proactively. Didn't want Momma to start afight. Jesse's anger is reactive. He doesn't want to escalate. I don't think one's better than the other, but one sure is more understandable.

"Look at you, so obedient." Andy glares down at me as I retrieve an apron from a cubby and tie it around my waist. "No wonder you're his new favorite toy."

"Yeah, yeah," I say, grabbing a notepad and pen. "What else you got, Andy? Come on now, lay it down. If you give it all to me in bulk, we might be able to avoid talking for the rest of the night. Won't that be something special?"

"And ruin the fun?" She perks a sassy as heck brow. "Why would I wanna do that?"

"I don't know. Maybe because there's a teeny tiny part of you that wants to act like a decent human being?" I ask. "I'm sure acting like a total bee gets old over time, no?"

She snorts. "God, you're so cringe. Do you ever hear yourself talk?"

"All the time, actually," I say, unwilling to let her slither under my thick skin. "I got one of them apps that record you when you sleep. I sure say the darndest things while I'm dreaming."

"Wow..." Andy crosses her arms, disgust plastered over her sharp features. "I'm actually embarrassed for JP. A lot of people are." She nods around the bar. "He really should think about who he keeps in his company." Andy lowers her voice as she leans down and whispers, "Riding off every night with a vapid bleach blonde bimbo who doesn't knowshitabout this life isn't good for his image. Or The Sons."

My jaw drops. "I am anaturalblonde, thank you verymuch. I haveneverin my life applied chemicals to these beautiful thick locks. Why do you think they're so bouncy?" I grab the ends of my curls. "See? No split ends."

Andy blinks. "I?—"

"Sav!" Marlow's melodic drunk voice cuts through the booming chatter and rock music. "Savannah! We need more drinks!"

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