Blake frowns between us.“Something going on here?”
“No,” I whine, and it sounds like a lie even to me.
Looking over, I see the bikers snicker low.
Blake stands.“You should respect her.”
“I do,” Humbug says, lazy smile sharpening.“That’s the problem.”
I step between them, heart beating in my throat.“Both of you, stop.Please.”
Blake breathes through his nose, straightens his tie, and gives me a look, half pity, half disappointment.“I’ll be outside.We’ll talk when you’re done degrading yourself.”He leaves, the door slamming hard enough to rattle the lights.
For a moment all I hear is the low hum of the jukebox, playing Mariah Carey, and the wet crack of ice in glasses.
Humbug finishes his bourbon, sets the glass down gentle.“He talk to you like that often?”
“Don’t.”My throat tightens.“Blake’s a good man.”
“Good ain’t the same as right.”
“He loves me.”
Biker gives a short, bitter laugh.“You sure?Looked more like he was provin’ he owns you.”
My hands hit my hips.“That’s rich, coming from a man who’s married.”
His eyes flash.“Not for long.”
I turn to grab another bottle just so I don’t have to look at him.“You shouldn’t say that to me.”
“Then tell me to leave.”
“I can’t,” I say, and take a big breath.“Really, you’re a paying customer, and you’ve not done a thing wrong.”
Humbug tips a nearby glass, spilling sticky liquid all over.“How about now?Throw me out.”
I wipe down the counter, pretending my hands aren’t shaking.The club drains their drinks, tosses cash, starts filing out with the usual noise, boots, laughter, exhaust promises.
Humbug lingers.
“Carol,” he says when the others push through the door.
I don’t answer.I just grab the trash bag and head for the back alley.
Snow’s falling again, thick and slow.The dumpsters wear white caps.I drop the bag, breathe in the freezing cold, and let myself feel angry at everything, him, Blake, myself.
The door opens behind me.Boots crunch.Big biker boots.
“You shouldn’t be out here alone,” Humbug’s voice rumbles.
“I’m fine.”
“Liar.”
Fuming, I spin around.“You have no right to show up, you know that?You can’t just barge into my life like this.”
“Last time I checked, this is a public place.”He steps closer, close enough that the heat coming off him cuts through the cold.“You want me gone?”
