“Go talk to her, ya moron,” he spells it out.
“We’ve done plenty of talkin’.” I pick at the label of my beer. “I think the match has already burned out.”
Liv peeks over her shoulder back at us, those gorgeous hazel eyes landing right on mine. It feels like a stick of dynamite explodes. I want her, I need her, I fucking ache for her. I’m residing in hell with no plausible means for an escape.
“Trust me, son. It’s not. She ain’t gonna be easy, but she’ll be worth it.”
Tell me something I don’t already know.
I blow out a hot breath. “She made it pretty clear, I’m not what she wants. And I’ve been wondering if she’s right. What do I have to offer her? No money, no house, crappy construction job, and the shittiest reputation around. Sounds like a keeper to me.”
“Yup, all that’s true. You should just give up.” Gambit leans back in his chair, seemingly done with the conversation.
“Well, thanks for the pep talk, Tony Robinson.” I motion to the waitress for another round.
Gambit chuckles. Apparently, me and all my problems amuse him.
“You know when I met my wife, I had on old, dirty jeans, greasy hands, and was shoved under an engine. And she was perfect. Not a thing out of place. So far out of my league I couldn't even see the same universe.”
“And does this story have a point?”
“The point is, I went for her anyway. I was ready for rejection. But I was also ready to fight. Because I knew I wanted her. And not just naked on her back. I knew I wantedher.Because of who she was. And you know what surprised me? She wanted me back, because of who I was. I didn’t have shit to offer a woman like her, except my heart. But that’s the most valuable thing you can give a person.”
“Funny you say that, because that’s exactly what I’m trying to give her, and she doesn’t freakin’ want it. She doesn't want me. She doesn’t trust me. And maybe she’s right not to. My track record sucks. I’m a serial heartbreaker, and I’m not ashamed of it.” I should really admit that reluctantly, but I don't. I love women. All types, but I love Liv, too. Her heart is the only one I’ll never break.
“You really are a cocky fuck,” Hawk accuses.
“Butt out of it, four eyes, no one asked you.”
“No one has to, but if that pretty little thing is passing on you, maybe I’ll give it a go. I gotta thing for pink hair.”
“I’ll break your goddamn face if you try.” I reach across the table, sending it sliding across the floor. Bottles crash off the side and ice clinks in the glasses as my hip causes a mini earthquake.
“Yo, chill out . . . Calm it down.” Fender and Gambit immediately get between our little scuffle. I would love to fucking hit something right now, and Hawk’s face looks pretty damn tempting.
“I can’t take you two anywhere.” Ky towers over the table with Knuckles right behind him. Apparently, we gained the attention of the whole bar, because all eyes are currently on us. Liv’s included.
“I’m trying to have some down time with my girl before I have to go spend another twelve fucking hours at a poker table. Could you two cut the shit before I have this one” — he thumbs back to Knuckles — “take care of my light work?”
“We got a new recruit?” Fender asks.
“Just some extra muscle for the time being. But a new prospect is always an option.” He smiles back at The Rock’s body double.
Knuckles stays as stoic as a stone. Wouldn’t he just be a lively addition to the Squad? “Fender, can you go up there and sing something my ol’ lady and I can dance to and maybe chill everyone out?”
“Kira better not hear you call her that,” Gerard warns. “She doesn’t like it.”
“She’ll come around.” Ky rolls his eyes like that’s the last of his problems.
“Any special requests, Prez?” Fender is ready to dominate that little stage. Everyone in this bar is in for a treat.
“I don’t know. Some sexy and romantic shit?”
“On it.”
“You know we're never going to get him off that stage, right?” Tempest rumbles.
“We’ll drag him off if we have to. We have enough muscle,” Ky assures him.
