Page 7 of Rough Rider (Bad Boy High)
“Hey, babe, got your slice ready.”
I look down at the hand, small and fine with short-tipped nails painted with yellow and white flowers, and then up to the face of Andy Nunn, my savior. “Thanks. Hope you put some ice cream on it.”
“Always. I know what you like.”
The two men guffaw, which makes me stiffen. Andy digs her flat-tipped nails into my arm and tugs me away. I let her because to start a war against the Pipefitters when it isn’t necessary would be idiotic, and while my position in the org is muscle, it doesn’t mean I’m dumb. At least not most of the time and not tonight.
“Thanks,” I say as I take a seat next to the pie case. There really is a slice of blueberry pie with a generous scoop of vanilla resting to the side. Some of the frozen treat is already melting.
“You take any longer and you’re going to have vanilla soup with your slice, and trust me when I say that it isn’t going to taste half as good. It’ll still be delicious because everything Bobby makes is great, but it won’t be the same. Eat up.”
“Bobby?” I scrunch my eyebrows together. She says his name with a lot of affection. It doesn’t sit well with me.
“Yeah, him.” She jerks her thumb over her shoulder toward the kitchen window. A burly dude with a spatula glares at me. He’s got tats too, but I can’t make them out from here. I start eating the pie.
“Good boy,” Andy says. “By the way, consider my saving your ass as repayment for what my mom owes.”
“Sure. But what about next time?”
“There won’t be a next time.”
I shake my head. “We both know that’s a lie.”
“Is that why you came here? To hassle me over a future debt?” She rubs an already clean spot next to my arm with more vigor than necessary.
“No.”
“Then why?”
“Couldn’t say.”All I know is that there’s something that pulled me to you, Andy, and I live by my instincts.
Chapter Six
ANDY
Niki watches me as I move around the diner while working. I’m not really sure how to feel about it. I know Bobby isn’t a fan. He’s not one to hide what he’s thinking. It plays out across his face, almost comically. Not that Niki finds it funny. I’ve seen him shoot Bobby a couple of side glances, but he hasn’t said anything beyond that.
“How much longer do you have?” Niki asks. He finished his pie long ago and now has a coffee that he hasn’t touched. I think he ordered it so he’d have it in front of him and not appear to be lingering for no reason beyond watching me. I still don’t understand what he’s doing here. His vague answer before didn’t help me solve the mystery either.
“It depends.” I reach under the counter to pull my phone off the charger. The battery is shit, so it doesn't hold a charge for long. I check the time. “Pam should be getting here soon, but you never know with her.” I can’t leave until she comes.
Niki holds his hand out. I glance down at it. "You want a low five or something?" I smack it with mine. A half smile tugs at the corner of his lips. My eyes go there. I can’t help it. Niki does have nice, full lips. Where the hell did that thought come from? Who thinks about a man's lips?
"I want your phone."
"Ah," I laugh. "You're used to holding your hand out and people just handing things over.” He shrugs one of his thick shoulders. I bet lots of people give him whatever he wants, especially women.
"I want to put my number in it." His words surprise me. That was the absolute last thing I thought he was going to say.
"You think I need your number?" I lean up against the counter.
"Yeah, I do." I stare at him for a long moment. He's not being cocky or condescending. I still don’t understand why he wants me to have it. None of this makes sense to me.
"All right," I agree, handing it over to him. He might be right. What if someone else shows up on me again? They might not be as nice as he's been. Especially the part where he wiped the debt for me. Still not sure why he did that or if he’ll accept me saving him earlier for it. I might be crazy, but I don't think he's being a creep. In fact, I'm getting the opposite impression.
"Code."
"My birthday," I say before rambling off the numbers.
