She nods and then looks over my shoulder. “Okay, then. Since you grew up here—who the hell is that?”
Twenty
Hadley
Woah.
There’s no confusion as to who she’s talking about. If the word stunning was ever supposed to be used to describe men, it was for these two.
They’re tall, fit, and definitely not from Linton. One has on a button-down with the top two buttons undone, the other dons a polo shirt that shows off his physique. Their hair is perfectly imperfect with a nice, straight trim along the back of their necks and their fancy watches catch what little light there is overhead.
They laugh the kind of laugh that makes you sad you didn’t hear what was said. Their smiles make you jealous of the women in their lives. Their confidence reminds me of Machlan, but in a more polished kind of way.
“Know them?” Navie asks.
“Nope.”
“It’s my job to see if they want a drink, right?” Navie giggles.
“Yeah, if you can do it without giggling like a little girl,” I tease.
“What are we giggling about?” Peck slides into the stool in front of Navie. “What did I miss?”
“I’m not telling you anything since you let Molly order you around,” I say.
“I did not.”
“You did too.” I cross my arms over my chest. “Navie? Did he or not?”
She grabs an order pad and shoves it in the front of her apron. “I’m not getting into it. Instead, I’m going to get back to work.”
She walks away without looking back. Peck watches her in confusion.
I grab my water bottle and twist off the lid, but before I can raise it to my lips, a hard body is pressed behind me. I start to jump but stop when I smell the heavenly scent of Machlan.
My arms go weak as all the blood in my body rushes to my head. The bottle slips from my fingers, but Machlan catches it before it falls.
His breath heats the shell of my ear. “How do you feel?”
I nod, knowing I’m bending my neck for his use but unable to help it. A live wire running through my body both electrifies and freezes me at the same time. “Feels organic.”
Waiting for him to touch me is hard. Anticipating the zing of energy across my skin is frustrating. Not having it happen is infuriating. All I get is a little snicker as a response.
I turn to face him, but he steps away. With a wink that I feel between my legs, he rounds the bar.
“Machlan,” I call after him.
He stops. “Yeah?”
I let my eyes drift down his body before bringing it back up to his face. “You okay?”
His tongue rolls around the inside of his cheek. Nodding and fighting a grin, he proceeds to the end of the bar.
I love this feeling. Seeing how I affect him feels powerful but allowing myself to feel him affect me is even more so.
I’ve second-guessed every decision I’ve made for years—probably my entire life. I can’t think of a time I let my guard down and didn’t feel like I was swaying on my feet from the first moment after.
Machlan looks at something Navie shows him on a notepad. He’s so kind to her, patient as he goes through the protocol or whatever he’s explaining. I love this side of him. I love even more when he pauses midsentence and looks my way.
He nods toward the water bottle in front of me and grins. I roll my eyes, lifting the bottle and taking a drink. This makes him laugh. That makes my heart soar.
“Anyone wanna tell me why—” Peck is cut off by Walker’s hands resting on his shoulders. “Hey, Walk.”
“Hey.” Walker looks at me. “What’s up, Hadley?”
“Not much.” I grin at Machlan’s older brother. He’s a darker, slightly heavier version of Machlan with just as much piss and vinegar.
Sienna, his girlfriend that I’ve met once before, comes up to his side. She gives Peck and me a little wave.
“Hey, Slugger,” Peck says. “Any chance you could make some blueberry muffins for breakfast on Monday—ouch!” He rubs the back of his head where Walker smacked him. “What’s that for?”
“She’s not your maid. Or your girlfriend. Fucker.” Walker scowls.
Sienna laughs. “I’ll make you something and sneak it in.”
“That’s why I love, er, appreciate you so much,” Peck says, ducking another smack.
“We’re gonna sit in the back,” Walker cuts in. “Sienna’s family is in town to check me out, make sure I’m not a serial killer.”
“They are not,” she insists. “My sister and her husband are watching Deacon Love fight in Chicago tonight, so a couple of my brothers hitched a ride and are staying with us.”
“As I was saying, if you two want to sit with us, you’re welcome to. Actually, I’d appreciate it if you did.”
Sienna splays a hand on Walker’s stomach. “I’m going to go find my brothers before Lincoln meets Machlan on his own. I feel like a buffer needs to be there when that happens. Linc’s already had a couple of shots.”
“Yeah, go.” Walker sighs. “I’ll be back there in a minute.”
Once she’s gone, Walker stretches his neck. “Pretty cool guys but they fuckin’ talk all the damn time.”
Peck laughs. “I bet that’s fun to watch, Mr. Social Butterfly.”
Walker groans. “At least they’re cool. Graham is actually really smart about a lot of shit. We’ve had some good conversations about business.”
“What about the other one?” Peck asks.
“Lincoln is all right. Kind of a goof but cool.” Walker grins. “As a matter of fact, I bet you two would get along great.”
A host of laughter comes from the back corner of the bar. We all look back, but there’s nothing to see but a table in the corner with Sienna’s family having a good time.
“I better get back there,” Walker says. “Where’s Mach?”
“She’s here.” Peck jams a thumb my direction. “So, my guess is somewhere within a twenty-yard vicinity.”
Walker chuckles. “Sounds about right. Now come back here with me and entertain the crowd. Keep them from wanting me to talk all night.”
Peck stands. “Let’s go, Had.”
“Oh, no, you guys go on,” I say, waving them off.
They stand in front of me and don’t move. I fidget with the wrapper on my bottle. I don’t know what to say to them, that this is a family thing and I’m not family. I don’t want to intrude, and I don’t want to feel like a burden they have to lug around.
“Come on,” Peck says again.
“You know what? I need to go to the apartment. I’ll be fine.”
Walker takes my hand and guides me to my feet. “You will be fine because your ass is gonna be at the back table with us.”
“Walker, thank you. Honestly. But—”
“But fucking nothing. Just because my dumbass brother hasn’t figured out how to get his tail from between his legs doesn’t mean you aren’t family.”
My heart turns to mush. I can’t answer him with words because I can’t find any to say. To see this burly, broody man imply I’m family to him would make me cry if we weren’t in a bar full of people.
Peck guides us through the crowd toward the sitting area nestled next to the billiards tables. Navie is there and taking everyone’s drink orders when we get there. I sit between Peck and Walker.
Sienna does a quick introduction of her brothers. Graham, wearing the button-down, nods. Lincoln, the one in the polo shirt, waves.
“Do not bring Lincoln a bottle of Patrón,” Graham says to Navie. “Whatever he offers you under the table to do it, I’ll double.”
“I’m a married man, thank you.” Lincoln gasps. “And so are you. Kind of.”
Graham turns to Navie with a raised brow as though Lincoln just proved his point.
“No tequila for this guy.” Navie laughs. “Got it.”
“I’ve only had two shots,” Lincoln says. “And we’re on vacation.”
“You’ve had three, and your wife said that’s your limit,” Sienna tells him. “I’ll have a glass of red wine, please. And bring Walker some tequila. I think he’s gonna need it.”
Lincoln shakes his head and looks at his sister. “He gets another shot, and I don’t? What the fuck?”
“Because I can handle my liquor,” Walker says.
Lincoln flinches. “And I can’t?”
“No,” they all say at the same time.
They continue ribbing Lincoln, but I’m distracted by Walker. I follow the direction of his gaze to see Machlan heading our way. Everything else drowns out.
His swagger is present, his confidence intact. But the closer he gets and the more I see of him, the more questions I have.
There’s a question sitting on the tip of his tongue. I just don’t know who it’s for.
I hold my breath as he reaches our table and doesn’t stop until he’s behind my chair. I feel his hands brush against the edges of my hair. His fingers skim the back of my neck so lightly that I wonder if it was an accident.
A shiver rolls down my body, and I hope no one notices.
“Guys, this is Machlan,” Sienna says, starting off a new round of introductions. She names each person at the table, and Machlan exchanges a hello with each of them.
“This is your place?” Graham asks. “Looks like a good revenue stream.”
“It doesn’t do bad,” Machlan replies.
“Doesn’t do bad, my ass,” Walker says. “He works half as hard as me and makes double the money.”
“Sounds like Lincoln,” Graham says.
“I can’t help I made playing professional baseball look easy.” Lincoln looks at Machlan. “You can’t help you’re smarter than Walker and picked a job that got you a lot of money and pussy. Am I right? I mean, that’s how I feel about baseball—not that I’m getting a lot of pussy now. I’m happily married. Let’s make sure to clarify that so I don’t get beat with my own bat when I get home.”