Total pages in book: 83
Estimated words: 81285 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 406(@200wpm)___ 325(@250wpm)___ 271(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 81285 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 406(@200wpm)___ 325(@250wpm)___ 271(@300wpm)
“Nikolai?” I smiled. “Sounds a little mysterious.”
“It does, doesn’t it.” She raked her teeth across her bottom lip. “You think I should call him?”
“Yeah, I think you should.” I pulled some cash from my wallet and offered it to her as I said, “I’m going to get going.”
“So soon?”
“Yeah, Luke’s coming by when he finishes his shift, and my apartment is a total wreck.”
“Yeah, right. Your place is always spotless.”
“Well, I’ve been a little distracted lately.”
“Okay. Okay. I’ll let you get to it but stay close to your phone.” She lifted the business card as she said, “In case I decide to call.”
“I will.” I started for the door as I told her, “And call! You’ll always wonder if you don’t.”
I walked out of the bar with a smile on my face. It would be several hours before he got off work, but I was already looking forward to Luke showing up at my place with his lazy grin and that longing look in his eyes.
Thankfully, I had plenty to do to keep me busy until he got there.
25
GOOSE
Two hours.
That’s all we had left. One more final hour, and then, we could all call it a night. I’d help the guys shut things down, and then, I’d be able to head over to Presley’s place. Mine reeked of paint and floor stain, so we opted to stay at her place. I didn’t care where I rested my head as long as she was lying there next to me.
Yeah, I was into her.
I didn’t even mind admitting it.
I hadn’t exactly planned on it happening. Not even sure you can plan something like this, but little by little, I found myself wanting to be with her more and more. I’d seen it happen to Memphis and Seven, but I never thought it would happen to me. But there I stood, staring at the fucking clock, wishing the minutes away.
It hadn’t been a bad night. There was a steady crowd rolling in and out, and for the most part, things were going pretty well. It was just a smooth night where everyone was staying in their lane and not showing out.
I thought we might actually make it a whole night without any major catastrophes until Rusty scanned the room and announced, “Quiet night.”
Memphis, Seven, and I all turned on him at once. “What the fuck, man?”
“What?” he scoffed. “I just said it was quiet.”
“You don’t say that shit out loud,” Memphis groaned. “You just fucking jinxed us.”
“Ah, come on. You don’t buy that ol’ wives' tale bullshit, do you?”
“Yeah, actually we do,” Seven snapped. “And you just fucking cursed us.”
Rusty laughed as he said, “There’s no such…”
His words trailed off when one of the girls shouted down front. We all turned, and that’s when we spotted the drunk asshole who decided to climb on stage with Milly and give her a hand with her number. He was swaying back and forth, and the only thing keeping him standing was the damn pole.
Memphis didn’t say a word. He just glared at Rusty.
“Okay. Okay.” Rusty held up his hands in surrender. “My bad. I’ll take care of it.”
“Damn straight you will,” Seven grumbled. “And be quick about it. Don’t want anyone else getting any ideas.”
“Yeah, yeah. I’m on it.”
We all stood back and watched as Rusty charged the stage. The second he took Milly’s dance partner by the arm, he jerked back and said, “I was dancing with the pretty lady.”
“The dance is over.”
“But I paid.”
“Don’t give a fuck, man. You’re done.”
He started protesting as Rusty dragged him towards the front door. Rusty pulled it open and shoved the guy out, and the night air swallowed his final complaints. The door closed behind him, and Memphis grumbled, “I can’t believe he pulled that dumb shit. Quiet night. Fuck me. What was he thinking?”
“He wasn’t thinking. Hell, he rarely does.”
Memphis and I continued to watch the floor, keeping an eye out for any other assholes who might decide to cut loose. Thankfully, things had settled back into a steady rhythm, and all seemed good. Memphis used the opportunity to ask, “You heard anything from Nikolai or Sergei?”
“Nothing lately. Haven’t really had the chance to go by and see ‘em. What about you?”
“I kept aiming to get by there, but time keeps getting away from me.”
“Same.” I shook my head. “I gotta say, I kind of miss the snarky fucker.”
“Yeah, me, too.” Memphis chuckled as he said, “The man talked like everything was a personal insult.”
“Attitude with an accent.”
“Exactly, and don’t get me started on his driving.”
“I remember your fondness of his driving skills. I think I remember you mentioning a few death scares.”
“Without a doubt. Hell, he almost killed me on multiple occasions.”
“He was just keeping you on your toes.”
“Yeah, whatever.”
“We should swing by the casino soon. Make sure they’re not running the place into the ground.”