Page 9 of Fueled Hate

“Psh. I’ll pave the way if you tell me what the hell your preposterous plan is.”

“You already know. You wouldn’t have found me otherwise.”

“True,” Bryce says, motioning to Jett for another drink. “Made any headway yet?”

Glancing over my shoulder, I spot Sadie waiting on a table, smiling at her latest customers. I’ve known her less than twenty hours, and I somehow know it’s not a genuine smile. Those are probably few and far between. “Some.”

“That doesn’t sound promising. Are you sure about this?”

Turning back, my eyes drop to my hands as I focus on the scars across the knuckles. “I have to do this.”

Bryce picks his drink up, holding it in the air for a toast I don’t share. “Cheers to the fuckery that’s about to go down.”

I don’t meet his toast. There’s nothing about this I’d want to celebrate even before my best friend was pulled into it. “You really should go home.”

“Yeah, probably. But when do I ever do what I’m supposed to?”

“True.” He’s usually the head bad-decision maker; this time it’s all on me. I’m all-in. I have to be. “Just keep a low profile. The less attention we have on us, the better for now.”

Giving me a thumbs-up, Bryce takes a scan of the restaurant. “I doubt anything exciting happens around here.”

Bryce’s definition of excitement is far from mine, but I’m sure he’ll find something—or likely, someone—to occupy his time. That would be best for everyone involved. He’d still be here but not in the middle of everything. Looking over my shoulder, I watch as Sadie walks by, pushing the door open while giving me a pissy look.

“Hm. I bet that one could make it exciting.”

My fist clenches around my drink as I lift it to my mouth, taking a long swallow. It takes a second to rein in my irritation. “She’s off-limits.”

“Is she now?” Bryce looks to me with a shit-eating grin.

“Yes,” I say flatly as Sadie walks back through the doorway, the pissy stare still in place and directed at me. If my best friend weren’t undressing her with his eyes, I might be able to find humor in the situation. Right now, all I feel is a deep need to keep every fucking guy away from her. And I’m the last guy who should be anywhere near her. Well, maybe not the last, but damn near.

Bryce asks a million questions but doesn’t wait for a response as he rambles on. My mind feels jumbled, and his never-ending jabbering isn’t helping as I sit and only half listen. Thankfully, Jett interrupts, asking if I’m done with my plate while refilling my drink.

“Dickhead,” Jett mumbles under his breath.

At first, I think he’s talking to me. When I glance up, I see his glare is fixed behind me, to someone near the entrance. As I turn around, I spot the source of his rage. Kyle and another guy stand there, and as soon as Kyle locks eyes with me, he heads in my direction.

“What the fuck are you doing here?”

I look down to his balled-up fist then back to his revolting face. “Enjoying the scenery until you arrived.”

Kyle steps forward, but his buddy holds up a hand, pressing it against Kyle’s chest, forcing him back. “Not here.”

“You’re playing with fire,” he says to me.

Bryce casually leans back, propping an elbow on the bar. “Sounds like a challenge to me.”

“Who the fuck are you?” Kyle asks, doing a once-over of Bryce, who isn’t fazed in the least.

“Your wet dream or worst nightmare, the choice is yours,” Bryce says.

I can’t help but chuckle as Kyle remains silent, unable to respond as he tries to figure out if he should take Bryce seriously. And he should. Bryce puts up a mischievous, playful front, but it’s a damn good cover for how much of a threat he actually is.

Sadie appears, stepping between Kyle and I. Her back is to me as she speaks to him, but I can’t make out what she’s saying. Instead, I take the moment to trail my eyes down her body. I’d be lying if I said it was solely for Kyle’s sake, but his murderous glare is an added bonus. He moves to step forward, but Sadie shoves him back. “Go to the booth and I’ll get y’all a drink.”

His face eases as his hand falls to her waist, brushing around to her backside as he looks to me. “Sure thing, babe.”

It takes everything I have not to pry his fingers off of her ass. I feel very little satisfaction when she shifts, removing his hand from her body. It shouldn’t be there at all. Ever again.