Page 4 of Coast

“No. They’ve always operated by themselves, doing odd jobs for whoever paid best. Sounds like they’re interested in something more stable. And, I imagine, brotherhood.”

“Sounds good,” Velle said. “Always happy to have more family around.”

“Less leftovers to have to throw out,” Eddie agreed.

“Like there’s ever anything left over,” Huck said, shaking his head. “They should make it here by Friday. I expect you guys to show them a good time. And give me your first impressions.”

“Got it,” York agreed.

“Good. Let me know if anyone hears anything else about that damn construction,” he said, waving toward the front of the house before making his way out back.

“We can bring ‘em to check out that new bar down the road,” I said, trying to decide if it was close enough to walk if we got trashed there. “Find some girls. You got friends, honey?” I asked, making the girl—who’d been pretending she wasn’t actively listening—look over.

“I have friends.”

“Any chance they want to party on Friday?”

“Depends.” She shot me a flirty smile.

“On?”

“If you’re going to serve anything other than whiskey and beer.”

“Baby, you can have anything you want,” I said, watching her cheeks go pink.

“Margaritas?”

“You’re in luck. Eddie makes some bomb-ass margaritas. Can even put a little umbrella in ‘em if you want.”

“Well then… I think I can round up a friend or two.”

“That’a girl. I’m gonna go grab a shower. Wanna join?” I asked, only partly teasing.

To that, she cast an unsure look toward York, who was checking something on his phone. She’d clearly warmed his bed the night before.

“Open invitation for anytime in the future,” I said, shrugging, then making my way upstairs.

“Oh, hey,” Cherry said, nearly plowing into me in the upstairs hall.

An experienced club girl, she brought a change of clothes in her bag so she didn’t have to do a walk of shame in last night’s club dress. She was changed into one of those romper things I liked because you got a girl naked in one quick motion. That said, her hair was a mess, and her black liner was smudged.

“Hey, Cher. Eddie’s cooking. Seems like Candy is staying for food, if she’s your ride.”

Cherry turned her wrist to check her smart watch. “Shit. I’m gonna need to get a ride-share then.”

“Shower can wait. You want a ride?” I asked, always up to go out on my bike.

“Oh, that’d be great. Don’t you want to grab a shirt?”

“Why? You don’t wanna look at this?” I asked, waving down at myself.

“I was thinking more of how you’d be out of commission for months with road rash…”

“Fair enough,” I agreed. I ducked into my room, grabbed my shirt and cut, then headed down with her. “You hear we’re getting new prospects?”

“Oh, yeah? They cute?”

“Haven’t met them yet. But you can see for yourself on Friday. You should bring some friends.”

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