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“I got it,” he told Leo who was pulling out his wallet.
“Come on, man,” Leo urged. “Just this once.”
Hunter simply shook his head. “On me.”
Then he stepped out, his large body stretching out as he filled up. Leo cursed under his breath. “What’s wrong?” I asked.
“He’s being a stubborn jackass,” Leo answered.
“How?”
“Makes a point of paying for the gas.”
I lowered the volume of the radio. “What’s wrong with that, Leo?”
“We agreed everything would be split down the middle.”
I was confused for a moment, wondering why it mattered so much to Leo. Maybe because Leo could easily afford such things? Perhaps he was worried that Hunter was pouring too much money into things like gas for my birthday.
A swell of guilt bubbled inside me. “I can pay, too, Leo.”
His blue eyes settled on mine, filled with warmth. “No way. I’m not complaining. I don’t care for money, you know that.”
I nodded, understanding. “But Hunter works.”
Leo nodded carefully, running a finger over his plump bottom lip, trapping my gaze there. “His wages are low, and stubborn ass keeps covering every expense.”
“That’s just Hunter,” I said, shrugging. “Don’t try to understand him.”
His smile weakened. “I just want him in a better place. I don’t like the guys he works with…”
“What’s wrong with them?”
“Just…” He searched for words. “They wear leather, Skye. They’re bikers.”
Yeah, I knew that already, but Hunter just worked for them. Concern flooded me regardless. “You think he’s okay around them?”
“Yeah, I’m sure he is.”
“You’re still not fond of them.”
“They’re parasites. We saw it ourselves the trouble they attract—”
“There’s been no shooting since.” Not out in the open, that is.
He sighed. “I just don’t want him in the wrong crowd, you know?”
I nodded, understanding. But Hunter was smart and preferred being alone. I was confident he would never mess with the wrong people, especially bikers.
Except the way Leo’s gaze lost focus for a moment had me wavering. I wondered if he knew more than he was letting on. I wouldn’t prod, I told myself. I’d ask Hunter directly if something was going on. It was just…if Hunter was going down that track, he wouldn’t be able to hide it. He’d be forced to wear their leather, too.
“Did Kurt and your mom wish you a happy birthday?” Leo wondered out of the blue.
“They made me a cake last night. Kurt gave me driving manual, insisting I learn how to drive. Unreal, huh?”
Leo chuckled. “That guy cares about you.”
“I think he’s trying to drive me out of Brown Bay.”
