Part 30 (2/2)

But tonight none of that worked. All I could hear was, 'Im sorry.

I only wished that was enough.

”f.u.c.k this s.h.i.+t. Im closing early.” Blake pulled down the cage for the windows, slamming them to the ground and locking them. ”Im going to Winston tonight.”

”Winston? Again?” Breezy sat up from her magazine, eyes flas.h.i.+ng to me.

”Shut it, girlie. I didnt say you had to go.” He stomped off to the backroom, calling over his shoulder, ”But Im leaving in five minutes, so be ready if you are.”

”Whats that mean?” I asked her, recognizing her concern but not knowing why.

”He gets in these moods. It never turns out good,” she was mumbling as she cleaned up her desk, sliding papers and receipts into drawers.

”So I guess that means we need to go.” I put the cleaner away. The cases could wait, I wasnt sure Blake would.

”Whats his deal?” I nodded to where Blake was at the pool table, leaning on his stick while waiting for his turn.

Breezy handed me a gla.s.s of rum and c.o.ke and swallowed a sip of her own before responding, ”Hes good people, but sometimes, its like s.h.i.+t builds up and he just needs to get out of our little corner of town.” She tilted her head, looking me over. ”Since youve been around, shooting with him, its been better, like he found a different outlet.”

I nodded. I understood feeling restless; I was beginning to feel stir crazy myself without any change.

”So whats the deal between you two then?” I took a sip and eyed her reaction. She hid her smile behind her gla.s.s.

”Hes been a family friend since as long as I can remember.” Her eyes dropped to her drink, and she stirred the little straw in it. ”Its like I said, hes good people.” She sat up suddenly. ”So hows the tattoo?”

”Good. All healed. Thanks.” I took the hint and dropped the subject. Spinning in the chair, I tapped the bar for another drink. There really werent that many people at the bar, the majority were on the dance floor while a band with fiddles played. But I needed more alcohol to deal with the crowd.

”What are you ladies drinking? The next rounds on us.” A guy stepped behind us and gestured between him and his friend, both in tight jeans and cowboy hats.

”I buy my own drinks, thanks.”

But Breezy answered at the same time. ”If you two are buying, whiskey.” She nudged me when my words caught up to her. ”And shes being shy, but sh.e.l.l take the same.”

The men exchanged looks and a laugh. ”Woo dog. Not sure we can keep up with you two tonight.”

The second man spoke with a thick tw.a.n.g. ”But Im going to try, Breezy.”

So he knew her.

He slapped the bar, calling over the bartender, but before he could order, shouting rose louder than the music and Breezy pulled on my arm.

”d.a.m.n, that went faster than I thought. Sorry gentlemen, but weve got to go.”

I slid off the stool, catching sight of Blake ducking as a fist flew at him.

When he rose up, he snapped the pool stick across his knee and held the jagged ends up to the three men who approached him.

His back was to a wall, and I had to walk around the group to come along side him. Adrenaline burned away the effects of alcohol and replaced it with an even better high.

A blonde boy in a camo jacket laughed at the sight of me and tapped his friends arm. ”Come on Wayne. Hes a gimp, and hes got a girl as back up. Let it go.”

Wayne pushed his tongue to his lip, where there was already a trickle of blood. ”That crazy fool hit me, r.e.t.a.r.d or not-”

He got hit again, didnt even get a chance to dodge. But the others all moved with it, multiple guys tackling Blake.

I slid my arm around the guy holding Blake and put him in a chokehold, ripping him away so Blake could move. And he did. He shoved one guy to the ground, and then reached behind him as another attacked.

”Break it up.”

”Get Out.”

Things were being yelled as burly men threw patrons off each other. Someone grabbed me from behind just as my fist collided with the cheek of the man pulling Blakes hair. The man whipped around, cheek flaming red as he swung, hitting me in the stomach. All air escaped me and I caved forward, using the momentum to flip the person restraining me over my shoulder. I used my hands to pull him the rest of the way, slamming him to the wood floor. It was a bouncer, I think.

Breezy was beside me. ”d.a.m.n. Its time to go.”

I looked around for Blake. He was grinning, blood smeared across his cheek. Whether it was his or not, I didnt know. He had his fists up, stepping towards a guy who was poised to fight but had been hanging back, weary.

”Oh, h.e.l.l.” Breezy charged up to them, but a bouncer got there first.

”Get out now, Blake. Weve called the cops.”

Cops.

The night stopped being fun.

”s.h.i.+t,” I pulled on Blakes plaid s.h.i.+rt; it was missing a few b.u.t.tons from his fight. ”Weve got to go.”

”Yeah, crazy old gimp. Get gone.”

I glared at the kid who all of a sudden had a mouth but continued to pull Blake to the door.

”Little s.h.i.+t, come outside and say that.” Blake was turning back to face him but still let me pull him out.

”I dont have to.” He held his arms out. ”I just said it here.” His friends were gathering themselves again.

Blake pulled out of my grip, and I wanted to keep going to the door. I needed leave. I should leave.

”Do your f.u.c.king job and shut them up,” I came back after Blake, yelling to the bouncer who wasnt bouncing anything but just standing there.

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