Page 8 of Gravity

“Then you fuck her.”

“Already have. Twice,” he says smugly.

“And you’re willing to share her around like she’s a piece of candy?” I shake my head and let out a heavy sigh. “I don’t know if I should be proud of you or fucking ashamed.”

“Least I’m gettin’ some.”

“I’m getting plenty, thanks,” I lie.

“My money’s on the brunette in the red dress.” Rex smirks, looking across the bar. “Look at the tits on her.”

“I’m more of a Lacy type of woman,” Asher comments, just as she returns with his order.

For once, I’m sitting the other side of the bar, trying to absorb the atmosphere and enjoy the band that is playing tonight, and because of that, Lacy sees this as an opportunity to get in my pants like she does with every other guy who passes through. Lacy is a good worker—a whirlwind with attitude—but the girl loves male attention too much. I see what goes on in my bar at night, and if I don’t see it personally, the CCTV shows me.

My only interest comes in the form of a woman who is a fantasy that I have to either fuck out of my system with other women or jerk off to in the shower, imagining her mouth around my cock.

She is a fantasy and a line I can’t cross because of who she belongs to.

“Well, if it isn’t my two favorite ladies,”

I grin at the familiar voice coming up behind us. Turning, I find a good friend of ours, Mark Dixon looking perky as ever. With two full tattoo sleeves and a physique that can and does bring any woman to her knees, Mark stands with a shit-eating grin on his face like he’s finally been allowed out to play.

“Do you like your balls? Because if your wife knew you were in here, she’d shoot the fuckers off,” I say.

“He’s right, Twilight,” Asher replies, giving him a fist pump. “I wouldn’t like to get on the wrong side of Charlie.”

“She loves my balls too much to get rid of them.”

Now greeting me, Mark squeezes my shoulder before slapping my back. “Gray, you’re on the wrong side tonight, man. What gives?”

“I took the night off so I could hold Asher’s hand. Didn’t want him to feel lonely.”

“Ha. You’re more miserable than I am tonight, dickhead.” Asher smirks.

“That’s ‘cause your ugly face is back in town,” I joke.

“And here I was thinking you missed me when I was away.”

“Why the fuck would he miss you?” Mark joins in. “I have to work with your stupid ass and I certainly don’t miss you when you’re gone.”

I laugh. Starting to feel the whiskey relax the tension in my body.

Asher shakes his head. “Don’t fucking start, Twilight.”

“Not to mention Rex and Linc,” Mark grins, “Y’all a bunch of toddlers together. Makes me fucking sick.”

Asher turns, raising a brow with a comical look on his face. “Sorry, Daddy.”

“Shut up and get me a drink.”

I laugh at the pair of them. Now working for Cole Security Forces alongside Mark, Asher is often away. Although Coles is based here in Virginia, they also have a location in California, and whatever the job, some often take them further afield—their last big job being in Iraq. But that’s all I know. I know how things work in the forces; I grew up around it with my father being in the military as well as Asher’s dad Pete doing his duty. I know bad shit happens and lives are stolen. I know Pete often came home a little more lost after each time he was deployed. But with Asher, to say we are close, I’ve noticed over the last couple years he keeps his work life private more than he used to. He doesn’t like to talk of the things he’s witnessed, and I get that, but when it comes to him fighting for our country, his enemies are close, and his secrets are even more guarded.

“How you doing, man?” Mark questions, pointing to my glass as he leans against the bar, knowing this isn’t my usual choice. “Bad day?”

“Something like that.” Today would have been my mother’s birthday. To say the last two years haven’t been easy is an understatement. Granted, my life hasn’t been a bed of fucking roses, but since her death each year has got harder, and for some reason, more frustrating. Even though I know the reasons behind her death, I still need answers—answers to questions I try to bury so deep, causing me to hate her more. “So, what brings you here without the lovely Charlie tonight?”

“I’m looking for Cullen. Have you seen him?”