My eyes jerk up to the familiar voice, but the guy is unfamiliar. He has shaggy blond hair and brown eyes. A crooked smile that also seems familiar but I can’t place him.
“Can’t keep a good guy down now. Can I?” The guy focuses on Nico’s brace. “Sorry, man. How bad is it?”
“Bad.” Nico’s face reddens.
The guy rubs beside his lips. “You were a hard bastard to put down.”
The football player. He didn’t say anything to me, but I remember those eyes and that cocky grin. Caden stands up beside the guy.
The guy holds up his hands. “It was just a game, man.”
“How’s that new car?” Jack asks.
The guy smirks. “Didn’t take you long to catch on.”
“We need you to start talking.” Caden hovers over the guy. He has a few inches on him, but the guy doesn’t back down.
“Art.” He holds his hand out to Caden. “Name’s Art. Figure if I’m going to get cozy with you all, you ought to know my name.”
“Have a seat, Art.” Luke points to the chair next to Nico’s.
When Art sits, he spreads his legs and his arms are loose like he has no worries. Not the typical stance of someone facing the horsemen. It makes me curious.
“What do you guys want to know?” Art arches an eyebrow.
The server stops and drops off our drinks.
“Hey, Maureen, can you bring me a Coke?” He touches her hip with the backs of his fingers and looks up at her with a smile. “I’m taking my break.”
Maureen looks less than impressed, but she wanders off and brings back a Coke.
He takes a sip and puts it on the table. “So, is this about revenge? Because it was a football game. All’s fair and all that.”
“Not revenge. Yet.” Luke smirks. “We want to know why you went so hard at our guys on Friday. And who gave you that brand new car?”
Art trails his fingers over his lips.
“You know Zach Gray,” I say, drawing his attention.
He grins at me. “I do. Fucker is loaded, but likes to have his fingers in different schools.”
When Art checks me out, making me uncomfortable with his frank appraisal, Caden growls low.
“This is the little bird causing everyone trouble?” Art whistles and his gaze leaves me. “I expected a super model to walk in.”
“I used to think the same thing.” If he was hoping his indifference would phase me, he’ll be disappointed. I prefer it. I shrug.
Jack squeezes my hand. “How do you know Zach?”
His eyes glance at me before he returns his gaze to Luke. “We doing this? Because you all must know I can be bought.”
His smile is easy, but there’s a darkness in his eyes.
“We’re willing to pay for information.” Luke leans back in his chair. “Zach asked you to take out Nico.”
It’s not a question.
Art chuckles. “He wanted me to take out both your wide receivers.” Art’s gaze goes to Eli. “No hard feelings, but a new car is worth your discomfort.”
