asshole as you are, or is it just a natural thing for you?” I ask.
Ryker laughs, arms crossed over his chest, and the way he smiles lets me know he needs something. Which isn’t weird in general: Ryker has been a schemer since he was a baby. But he rarely comes to me. I don’t have enough money or power to demand his attention.
“Just get to the point,” I say as he waits me out. Part of the reason my brother gets every damn thing he wants is because he doesn’t mind standing around with his thumb up his ass until the other guy gives in. “What do you need?”
“A bar,” he says.
“There’s about fifty in Piedmont. Take your pick.”
“There’s this one, though, my shithead brother owns, and that’s the one I need an in at.”
I rub my hand over my face. Why this fucking week of all weeks? I have no patience for whatever stupid shit Ryker is up to.
“Find somewhere else. You’re not ripping my bar apart and leaving me to pick up the pieces.” I head to the locker room, ready to shower off and find out where the fuck Harlow is. I’m done playing games.
Ryker follows me down the long hall. “Listen, man, I’ll hire a cleanup company, God as my witness. Look, the guys on the rig, it’s been rough and they’re a little down, you know. Greyson left me in charge of keeping shit straight, and I thought we’d have a bang-up party once we were on shore. But you know I can’t have any fun at those other bars. Help me out, Gunner.”
I look at my brother, and it’s weird, because we look so similar, it’s almost like seeing my reflection. Except Ryker is a damn weasel, and it shows on his face.
But he is my brother. And, more than any of us, Ryker is always trying to come from under Greyson’s shadow and get Dad’s approval.
“You get a cleanup crew, and you pay your deposit up front, just like anybody else would. Anything illegal, I shut it the fuck down, and if your guys won’t go, I won’t hesitate to call the cops.” I stare him down, unblinking.
“Done.” Ryker sticks his hand out and we shake.
“Square up with Jared,” I say. “He’ll be around till tonight. When’s this going down?”
“Friday night.”
“Two days? You got time to do all this?” I ask.
My brother chuckles. “Hell no. But I got money, and I’m paying some sweet thing with an unbelievable ass to worry about all that shit for me. My days of lugging and working to throw a party are long gone.” He turns to go, then looks back at me. “Gunner? Thanks.”
I shake my head. “Don’t thank me. This is a business transaction, Ryder. Not a favor. Got it?”
“You’re turning into a real hardass,” Ryder says, then grins before he delivers the words he knows will drive me crazy. “Dad would be proud.”
I fist up, ready to punch the locker, but pull back. I’m sure as hell not breaking Rick’s shit because Ryker pissed me off. I need a shower and to find Harlow before I go fucking nuts.
CHAPTER 9
HARLOW
When my phone rings, I almost fall off the bed jumping for it, because today is officially day three, and I can answer Gunner’s calls!
It was torture waiting, and I explained to Daisy that I was afraid that I was screwing everything up. She pointed out that if Gunner really cared, he’d wait.
And I had to know if what we have is real or not. So I waited, even though it was hard as hell.
“Hello!” I say into the phone, not even glancing at the number on the screen.
“Hey girl! You been lying around, getting your tan on?”
“Jilly. Hey, hon. How’ve you been?” I try to keep my voice from sounding too disappointed, but I wasn’t expecting my friend from dance class to call on our break.
And, of course, I was so sure it was Gunner.
“Alright. Listen, my sister got us a job if you’re interested.”
“A job?” Jilly’s sister does wedding planning or something. I’d never catered or anything, and I honestly didn’t want to waste any time I could be spending with Gunner serving dry chicken to wedding guests.
“Yes! It’s crazy good money. And I know I’ve been itching to dance. The clubs around here have been pathetic, am I right? I feel like I spend most of my time getting mauled”
“Dancing?” I perk up at the thought, but I’m confused. “At a