Too bad. McAllen was Zach’s. Peter could have the other deputy, though he didn’t seem to swing that way.
He’d been careful around Peter the last couple days to be sure he didn’t ‘accidentally’ hit Zach with his instrument or trip with hot coffee.
Lost in his thoughts, Zach nearly ran into his target. He planned to talk to him, but not here. Zach wanted it to be more casual. Like at a food truck or while watching something interesting. He was running out of time to stage the perfect unplanned, planned meeting.
He turned quickly, slipped behind a tent, and took a parallel avenue to the food area. It wasn’t enough for him to know the guy was working, he needed to talk to McAllen.
The aisle he’d used dead-ended into the picnic area. Approaching from this way gave him a view of the large open space. About half the tables were occupied and there were lines at all the truck windows. McAllen and his partner were already there, having entered from the parallel lane. They were heading toward the barbecue truck. McAllen always got a cherry limeade. Zach needed to try one. It might help with his flirting.
He watched for another few minutes, then got in line to get a sweet tea for Maddie. If he didn’t need his money, he wouldsplurge on a blue slushie for himself. But Stephen had stopped paying him since Grandpa died. That made him wary. Wary enough that he needed to be careful with his money.
The walk back was quick and uneventful. He heard the others before he entered the tent. Giving Maddie a tea would earn him some shit, but he didn’t care anymore. They gave him shit about everything since their ‘daddy’ said he had full control of the act. Well, everyone except Ashton, but even he wasn’t that friendly. Probably because every time he tried to be nice to Zach, the others gavehimshit. Zach almost felt sorry for him.
Almost. He had too much on his plate to worry about Ashton.
“Here you go, Maddie.” He handed her the drink with a straw still in its wrapper.
She raised an eyebrow as the others watched intently. “Zach, you didn’t need to do that.”
“It’s not much. They just charged me for the cup.” A lie, but since he’d been a little thing, the vendors had given him stuff. Mostly because they liked his playing.
That he didn’t have a drink for himself helped sell the lie.
“So where’s your admirer?” Peter asked. Figured. “He usually comes to moon over you.”
“He’s around. Ran into him getting Maddie a drink.”
That smacked the stupid out of Peter’s smirk. The others kept quiet but watched him warily. The fact that they hadn’t tried to hurt him yet only confirmed something was coming that he wasn’t going to like. He might not have ‘til the end of the week.
“Can’t imagine what he sees in a scrawny little bitch like you.” Kellan said. He was the oldest of the six, as well as the tallest, ugliest, meanest, and least talented.
When Grandpa had been alive, he’d stayed in line. Everyone did. Grandpa had controlled the money. Now that he was gone, Stephen Ulmstead, the minority owner had managed to takecontrol. Mostly because Zach let him. What Stephen didn’t have was access to Grandpa’s business account.
“Probably because next to you, I’m Helen of Troy.” Stupid dipshit wouldn’t get the reference.
The others watched the exchange but kept quiet. Maddie was watching. She was in charge, and they didn’t mess with her.
“Yeah, you’re a bitch all right,” Kellan said.
“That’s enough.” Maddie got up and set her drink down. Kellan truly was dumb as a rock. “You go on again in twenty minutes. Get ready and stop jawing.”
She gave Zach a look. The others would think she was calling him out, but he got the message. He’d keep his yap shut and steer clear of the others. Stephen wouldn’t let anyone mess with Zach too much, at least not until he’d gotten all receivables diverted to him.
He grabbed a cup and filled it with water. “I know,” he said too softly for any but Maddie to hear. Don’t poke a wounded bear.
God damn he needed to get away.
