“Thank you,” I say, trying to hide my surprise. His entire bill is fifty plus tax, so the tip is quite generous.
I run his credit card and hand him the receipt to sign along with a pen. He scribbles his signature and adds an extra ten-dollar tip onto the credit card receipt.
I take another sip of the bourbon and grimace.
Jayden notices the expression on my face because he smiles and laughs. “You get used to it.”
“I don’t think I ever could,” I say.
I’m expecting him to get up and leave, but he still has quite a bit of bourbon remaining in his glass. He swirls it around and takes a sip.
“You’re new, I haven’t seen you here before,” Jayden says, watching me closely.
“You ask a lot of questions.”
He offers a wayward smile. “It wasn’t a question. Just making an observation.”
Fourteen
Luca
I can’t say I’m thrilled that Harper and Zeke both missed my hockey game. I kept looking in the stands, though I knew they weren’t there.
It stung.
The worst part? Knowing my father was the reason and Harper wouldn’t be at any more games this season because of the job my father forced on her.
“We won. Why are you in such a sour mood?” Ashton asks. He grabs his bag as he follows me to the car.
It’s late, nearly midnight, and we’re driving up tonight to stay at my parents’ house. I don’t want to miss another minute with Harper. I take a sip from my travel mug, tasting the hot coffee and hoping the caffeine gives me a much-needed jolt for driving at this hour.
I’m also worried about Zeke.
He’s been having nightmares and sharing our bed. I don’t want Harper to go through that alone with him, waking her up every couple of hours and her trying to put him back down to bed.
“I’m not in a sour mood.” I scowl at Ashton.
Maybe he’s right, but I don’t admit it.
I throw my bag in the backseat, and Ashton does the same.
Nova is staying the weekend with Liam, Sophia, and Bristol at the house. It’s crowded for a weekend, but after the crazy week they had, I don’t blame the girls for not wanting to go home yet.
“Right. You’re just chipper.” Ashton grabs a seat, secures his seatbelt, and glances out the side window.
“I did win us the game,” I boast, and Ashton laughs under his breath. “What’s so funny?” I grit between clenched teeth as I pull out onto the street.
“You thinking you made that winning shot.”
“I did make the winning goal.” Has he lost his mind? Did he forget what happened tonight already? I head toward the main thoroughfare. We’ve got an hour’s drive, and I reach for my cup of coffee, ensuring I stay awake.
“Yes, but I made the other two, which tied the game. We were down most of it.”
I roll my eyes and shift in my seat, hitting the gas a little harder. “Whatever you say, Rinaldi.”
He laughs under his breath. “Can’t stand when someone else plays better than you?”
I grind my teeth and grin in his direction. “Happy for you, brother.”
