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“Whatever is on tap,” they both said in unison.
I let out a laugh. “Okay.” I smiled and was about to turn away when Dave cleared his throat.
“So, when did you get back to town?”
“About fifty-eight hours ago now.”
“I see you’re counting.” Dave chuckled.
“No. I’m settling in. I couldn’t say no. My best friend practically begged me to come back to help with some wedding plans,” I answered, glancing at Ryan, who smiled at me.
“Yeah, Ryan mentioned you might be returning for the wedding,” he said, looking in Ryan’s direction. “How’s your mom been? I haven’t seen her in a while.”
“She’s good. She’s been busy with her gardening club, but she is glad to have me back home. Is it just going to be the two of you tonight?” I questioned, trying to calm the butterflies in my stomach at the thought of Jackson possibly joining them.
“Yeah, it’s just us,” Ryan answered. “You don’t need to worry.” He winked.
“All right, two of whatever is on tap, coming up!” I said as I threw two coasters down on the table.
I was halfway back to the bar when the door opened and three gang members from the Green Cobras walked in. Things apparently hadn’t changed around here, I thought to myself. These guys had always frequented The Crooked Judge. The three of them stopped just inside the door and looked around. One of them looked in my direction and looked longingly at me. Chills ran through me as his eyes ran the length of my body before meeting my eyes again. I’d hoped that Dave and the rest of the Sunset Cove Police had run them out of the area after Connor’s death, but it appeared they hadn’t. There had been a lot of speculation that it had been one member Connor had crossed that night. Yet, no one could be sure since there hadn’t been a clear sighting. Regardless, I swallowed hard and put it to the back of my mind that one of these very men could be the one responsible for my brother’s death. As I walked by them on my way to the bar, I heard one of them give a low whistle. I ignored them and went about my business until the three of them came over to the bar and took a seat right next to me.
I could feel his eyes on me. Hell, I could almost feel his breath, too.
“Well, well, what do we have here?” he said, running his finger along my arm.
My eyes fell to where his tatted fingers rubbed my arm. The letters GREE were visible, and then I looked at the snake on his forearm.
“I’m Garrick. This is Linden and Dorian. What’s your name, beautiful? Not seen you around these parts before. Are you new around these parts?”
When I didn’t immediately answer him, he chuckled. “That’s okay. We like shy girls, don’t we, guys? They are much more fun.” He said, running his forefinger over my forearm once again.
A chill ran through me, and I was about to say something when Glenn turned around and glared at the three of them. “Gentlemen, I’ve told you before, you can come in here, play pool, drink, and eat, but don’t bother my staff. Now what can I get for you?” he asked, not faltering once while he placed the beers on my tray and nodded for me to get out of there.
I rushed to the table where Dave and Ryan sat and set the beers down in front of them. “Here you go, guys. Did you want anything to eat?”
“Nah, we’re good right now.” Dave smiled at me and raised his glass before taking a sip.
“So, have you seen Jackson since you been back?” Ryan asked me outright as he, too, took a sip of his beer.
I looked at Dave and noticed he was giving Ryan the eye.
“What?” Ryan questioned, looking over at Dave. “Someone’s got to ask her,” he mumbled like I wasn’t even standing there.
“Cara is going to have your balls, you know that, right?” Dave questioned, looking over at me and giving me a wink.
I smirked and cleared my throat. “Just so you know, Ryan, no, I haven’t seen him. You can let Cara know that, too.”
A loud bang behind me caused to me to jump, and I turned in time to see a pool cue being thrown to the ground by one of the gang members.
“Fuckin assholes,” Dave mumbled.
“Tell me about it,” I said, looking in their direction.
“You make sure you steer clear of those guys, Bailey.” Dave said, nodding in their direction.
I nodded. “Have there been any updates on my brother’s case? Mom won’t tell me,” I questioned, looking at Dave. I knew this wasn’t the time or place to ask, but curiosity was getting the best of me. I needed to know the truth.
“We have a couple of suspects. Nothing solid.”
