Page 31 of Ridin' Free
“Yeah—Rodeo gave me somethin’ the other day. I forget the name.”
“I know what you’re talkin’ about, big guy. Comin’ right up.”
She turned toward the back fridge and bent to reach down for a bottled beer. As she straightened, she plucked a bottle opener from out of her back pocket, removed the cap, then grabbed a chilled glass from the mini-fridge under the counter.
“Enjoy,” she said as she set both down on the bar.
Twister watched her every move, and not once did she even so much as glance in his direction. He wondered how long she could hold out. Something told him she was stubborn enoughto put him through the ringer—but he wasn’t going any-fucking-where.
He was still watching her when something caught her eye across the room, and she froze. It wasn’t only her body that went stalk-still. Her face seemed to have drained of all color, as if she’d seen a ghost. Twister glanced over his shoulder, curious what could possibly have that effect on her, and saw two people he’d never seen before in his life standing at the door.
The blonde woman looked to be about Winnie’s age, maybe a little older. It was hard to tell with her sun-damaged skin. Her blonde hair had obviously come from a bottle, her dark roots broadcasting that fact. She had on a skin-tight white tank top, through which her pink bra could be seen. Her jeans were practically painted on, and the platform sandals she wore looked cheap.
The man at her side looked even cheaper. He didn’t stand much taller than the woman. Twister put him at five-ten at the tallest. He had slicked back, dusty-brown hair, and he wore an open, short-sleeve button-up over a white beater and jeans. Twister guessed the man thought he had something to show off, but he didn’t. He looked like the butt of a joke from an old movie.
“Hey, there, Ali-Mae,” spoke the woman.
Twister jerked his gaze back behind the bar as his spine stiffened. He’d never heard that name before, but he didn’t need to be told to whom it belonged. Phoenix was already on the move. She pushed through one swinging door only to charge her way through another as she marched out into the main room.
She stopped a good five feet away from the strangers as she pointed toward the door and insisted, “I don’t know what you’re doin’ here, but you need to get out. Now.”
The blonde breathed out a humorless laugh, propping her fists against her hips as she replied, “I don’t think that’s any wayto greet your mother. I know it’s been a while, but you can at least pretend to be happy to see me.”
Twister frowned, surprised to learnthatwas the woman who birthed Phoenix.
“Iworkhere. Whatever shit you’ve got goin’ on, you do not have permission to bring it in here.”
“Some welcome,” spoke the man. “Rather than kickin’ us out, youcouldget back behind that bar and pour us a drink. We drove all day to get here.”
“Tommy,” the woman whined softly, as if to imply he wasn’t helping their case.
Twister was content to let Phoenix handle the situation until the man spoke. Then all he could think about was the sound of her scream and the expression on her face when he put her on her back. He paired that memory with the look in her eye he’d seen only a moment ago, he put two and two together, and he came undone.
Abandoning his beer, Twister stood abruptly, allowing the feet of his stool to scratch against the floor, drawing attention in his direction. He went to stand between Phoenix and the man who didn’t appear to be her kin in the slightest.
“She told you to go. Seein’ as she’s not just some bar back, she has the authority to kick out whoever the fuck you are—and I suggest you leave before any other loyal patrons decide to get involved.”
The woman hesitated before looking around Twister and pleading, “Ali-Mae, won’t you at least talk to us? We’ve come all this way.”
“You weren’t invited,” replied Phoenix.
The man looked from Twister to Phoenix before he grabbed hold of his woman’s arm. “You wanna be a bitch, fine.”
Twister furrowed his brow and took a deliberate step toward the asshole. He could tell the man tried not to react, but his slight flinch was not missed.
“Call her a bitch again. I fuckin’ dare you,” Twister all but growled.
Tommy made a show of trying to ignore the challenge and glared at Phoenix as he muttered, “If we don’t hear from you, wewillbe back.”
He turned for the door, pulling his woman along as he went. She glanced back in their direction one time, and then they were gone.
Twister barely had a chance to face Phoenix before she was snapping at him.
“I can fight my own battles. I didn’t need your help.”
“Yeah. Alright. I’m done with this shit.”
He took a step toward her, lowered his shoulder until it lined up with her hips, grabbed her behind her legs, and hoisted her off the floor.
