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It just felt weird. I didn’t know my place anymore. Bren, that was easier because she wasn’t around that much anymore, but Heather was. Brandon wasn’t a fan of Zeke and since he was Heather’s brother, and I knew they were tight, I’d been well, I’d been quiet about my relationship. Though, I adored Heather.Adoredher. I’d do almost anything for her. She’d given me so much over the years. I’d never be able to repay her kindness. And knowing all of that, knowing Zeke and I had been together for a while, and seeing her giving me a look, my stomach was doing a tango.
I was thinking ‘the talk’ was about to happen.
“Ladies.” I was the only one manning the bar tonight. Derek had left twenty minutes ago. “What would you like to drink?”
“We’re not here to drink.”
Bren was the one who spoke, but Taz raised her hand. “I am. I’m here to drink. Can I get a vodka spritzer, please? Thank you.”
Heather was looking around. “We’re busy. You’re alone tonight?”
I was reaching for the vodka and the cranberry juice as I nodded. “I’m okay. I can handle the bar.”
“Derek left?”
I nodded as I made up the drink, glad I’d already cut new mint leaves ten minutes ago. I was swirling everything together, a couple strawberries thrown in as I asked Heather, “Sure you don’t want anything?”
“Uh.” She was eyeing the glass as I handed it over to Taz, whose eyes were lit up. “Actually, that looks good.”
I gave a nod, reaching to do another and glanced at Bren. “You sure?”
She gave a nod. “Just give me a water.”
“Water coming up.”
As I finished Heather’s drink and poured Bren her water, I kept watching them. They weren’t talking, but all three were on their phones. That’s when I felt my own phone buzz in my pocket.Finally.It was Zeke. He was going to tell me he’d stayed late to chat with someone and was heading over now. He’d apologize for not texting sooner.
That’s what I was expecting as I slid both drinks over the counter to them and began to reach for my phone.
Bren said, curtly, “Don’t do that.”
I paused, my eyebrow going up. She had a very serious look on her face. Taz was watching her, watching me, but closed her mouth over her metal straw and took a sip. A long sip. Heather was frowning at her own phone. “What the hell?”
And that was my question too, because this couldn’t be good. None of it.
My whole stomach just shrank in size. I braced myself. “Was he in an accident?” The elephant in the room had been acknowledged.
Taz started coughing, spitting out her drink.
Bren’s eyes got big. “No. Oh, no. Nothing like that.”
Heather was giving me a grim face.
I kept cutting to her. “What? Just tell me. What is it? What happened?”
She hesitated, and this was Heather Jax. She never hesitated. Ever. She was the queen of kicking ass, I mean, after Bren. They were both up there, taking no bullshit. Bren was in an actual fisticuffs way, but you still didn’t mess with Heather Jax. She’d cut your balls off.
But the hesitation did me in, and I whipped out my phone.
“Ava—” Bren started to stand up from her stool.
I turned my back and read the text that was just sent through.
Unknown number: This is Zeke. I got arrested. I’m fine. Lawyer Kade should get me out soon. Don’t worry about me. I swung on someone, but there was reason. Don’t let anyone twist it, please. Let me tell you what happened first.
I texted back:
Me: Whose phone is this?
