Page 26 of What Is Love
I went to take his hand. Just as the tips of my fingers brushed his, I pulled them back. “I’m not getting on the back of your motorcycle.”
The corners of his mouth finally lifted, and I was gifted a beautiful smile. “Then follow me.”
I got into my G-Wagon and as soon as I turned it on, I took in a deep breath to calm my nervousness and exhaled as I shifted it into gear.
Chapter Seven
I followedRoe to a bar named Noble’s Pub. It was located a good distance south from the bridge. From the number of motorcycles in the area, I was deep in Haven’s Rebels’ territory. I got looks as I parked my G-Wagon. Two bikers standing outside the front of the pub smoking unapologetically stared and that did make me feel nervous.
Roe was at my car door as soon as I started climbing out and he walked next to me as we headed for the pub’s entrance. From what I could see of the one-story building, there weren’t any windows. At least, not on the front of it. Just red brick walls and a solid black door. Neon signs and a couple of vinyl banners hung on the walls outside, advertising names of brands served and specials.
Roe opened the pub’s door and gestured for me to go in first. Right away, I could hear rock music and smell greasy food. Once I walked in and my eyes adjusted to the dim lighting, I was able to take everything in.
A long wood-top bar lined with wooden stools took up most of the left side. The walls behind it were lit-up shelves full of different bottles of alcohol. The middle, front, and right sides of the establishment were full of tables and booths. Toward theback were two big corner booths that framed wide steps leading up to a slightly elevated floor that was clearly just for pool tables. There were also a handful of TVs hanging on the walls playing different sports.
It was busy. Maybe not as busy as it would be at night. There were patrons sitting at the bar, some dining at the tables and booths while watching whatever games were playing on the TVs, and a few were all the way in the back playing pool.
“This way,” Roe said as he tilted his head to the right before taking the lead.
I followed him to a booth occupied by two guys sitting across from each other. Wyatt was one of them—I recognized his blond hair with dark roots instantly. The other guy was Roe and Wyatt’s brunette friend who had been with them at the party last Friday night. As we were walking toward them, the brunette seemed to sense us coming. He saw Roe first and gave him a nod in greeting. Then his gaze shifted to me. His whiskey-colored eyes roamed all over me before locking onto my face. The expression he held the entire time he checked me out was unreadable. All I could discern was that the moment he’d seen me, the relaxed vibe he’d had while talking with Wyatt had vanished.
Realizing he had lost his friend’s attention, Wyatt glanced our way just as we came upon their table. He noticed Roe first. “What took you so long?”
“I was waiting for someone.” Roe turned slightly to look at me. I was kind of hiding behind him. It was silly, but I had yet to shake off my unease. I didn’t know much about Roe, yet here I was following him to what I’d heard many times was a dangerous part of the city.
Get it together, Lottie,I told myself andI stepped forward to stand beside him.
Wyatt looked pleasantly surprised to see me. “Hey, it’s Joint Thief. What are you doing here?”
“I invited her,” Roe said as he stared at their brunette friend, whose eyes had yet to leave me. I assumed he was wondering why the hell I was there, and I suddenly felt like I was intruding even though I’d been invited.
As if feeling Roe’s gaze, the brunette finally looked away from me and shifted his attention to his friend.
“This is Charlotte,” Roe said to him. “You sort of met her at the party last Friday.”
“I remember,” the brunette said.
“It’s hard to forget when a hot chick storms over, steals your joint, and starts talking about orgasms,” Wyatt said, grinning. “You should have been there yesterday to hear her bring up penises.”
It wasn’t the best first impression and far from ladylike. From the way Wyatt talked, he’d enjoyed our first interactions a lot. It was still up for debate if that was a good or bad thing. So far Wyatt had come off as nice, but a lot of people can pretend to be one thing and be something else. Regardless, I’d own what I’d said and not regret it.
The brunette looked from Wyatt to Roe and sighed through his nose. “Reid.”
“And you already know Wyatt,” Roe said, finishing the introductions.
“Of course she knows me. Unlike you two moody assholes, I am a memorable delight,” Wyatt said. Both Roe and Reid flipped Wyatt off. He ignored them and smacked the dark brown cushion next to where he sat. “Take a seat, gorgeous.”
Reid rolled his eyes and mumbled, “Here we fucking go.”
I glanced at Roe, finding him already watching me, waiting to see what I’d do. I walked around him. Stiffly, because too muchmovement made my neck and clavicle hurt, I slid into the booth next to Wyatt. Reid scooted over for Roe to sit next to him.
“So, Charlotte,” Wyatt said, “what brings you to our neck of the woods?”
“Roe invited me to play pool,” I said.
“Why?” Reid asked Roe.
“Does it matter?” Roe shot back, and they got into a stare-off.
