Obsession Falls(76)

Rocco and Hayden were both working the bar but it was Rocco who came to take my order. He was dressed in his typical uniform—red buffalo plaid flannel with the sleeves rolled up over his thick forearms. I ordered a beer and Audrey’s drink, then leaned against the bar while I waited.

I kept an eye on Audrey. Before our drinks were up, someone approached the table. I was half a heartbeat away from barreling over there when I realized it was just my brother, Zachary.

He was a troublemaker, but he wouldn’t mess with my girl.

“Do you want me to start a tab?” Rocco slid our drinks across the bar.

“Sure. But don’t let Z charge anything to it.”

“Make sure he simmers down tonight or he’ll wind up in the parking lot.”

“What’d he do now?”

“Nothing tonight. Just tell him to watch himself.”

“Will do. Thanks, man.”

Hayden glanced my direction as I picked up our drinks, so I tipped my chin to him. He nodded back, although he looked kinda pissed. Not that I blamed him. He probably dealt with all kinds of shit in his line of work, especially on a busy night.

I took our drinks to the table and glared at Zachary until he got up and moved to one of the other chairs. Obviously I could have sat on the other side of Audrey, but sometimes a guy had to put his younger brother in his place.

“Where’s my beer?” he asked as I sat down.

“Get your own.”

“Jerk.”

“What kind of trouble have you been getting into lately?” I asked. “Rocco said to make sure you simmer down.”

Z pretended to look shocked. “I have no idea what he’s talking about.”

Audrey snickered.

“I’m serious. I’m a perfect gentleman.”

I snorted. “You? Hardly.”

He turned to Audrey. “Can you believe this guy?”

“I’m inclined to believe Rocco.” She gestured toward the bar. “He doesn’t look like a guy who messes around.”

“True enough,” Zachary said. “Did he threaten to kick me out again?”

“Yeah,” I said. “Don’t test him. He’ll do it.”

“Wouldn’t be the first time.”

“Aren’t you getting a little old for that?”

He grinned. “Probably.”

Luke appeared, pulled out the other chair, and sat. He had grease under his fingernails and his hair was disheveled.

“What happened to you?” I asked.

“Two of my mechanics are out and we have a deadline. Means I have to get my hands dirty.”

“Good,” Z said, practically spitting out the word. “You spend too much time all cozied up in your office.”

“How would you know?”

Z just shrugged, as if he didn’t care enough to argue his point.

“What’s going on with the stalker situation?” Luke asked.

“Other than someone’s trying to get her fired, nothing,” I said, not bothering to keep the frustration out of my voice. “The whole thing is bullshit.”

“Do you think the patrols are helping?”

“No more dead squirrels,” Zachary said.

“Whoever it is still walked right up to her house and spray painted it in the middle of the night.”

“But at least he didn’t kill another squirrel,” Audrey said brightly.

If one of my brothers had said that, I would have glared at him hard enough to melt his face. But coming from her, it was so cute I almost smiled.

“Good attitude,” Luke said.

“I like to focus on the bright side.”

I loved that about her and I wasn’t about to rain on her parade by reminding her there wasn’t much of a bright side to any of this.

Although it had given me an excuse to sleep at her place every night.

Maybe there was a bright side after all.

I took a sip of my beer. Someone near the door caught Audrey’s eye and she waved.

Marigold came to the table, dressed in a pink shirt and floral skirt. Her hair always looked nice, which made sense, considering what she did for a living. She looked at the full table and took half a step back.

“Hey. Busy in here tonight.” She tucked her hair behind her ear. “I can go find somewhere else to sit.”

Maybe it was just me, but she seemed almost nervous. Which was weird.

But it was probably just me. I kept assuming everyone was keeping secrets or harboring ulterior motives.

“No, we can make room,” Audrey said.

Zachary stood. “I have to be at work early. Later.” He unceremoniously sauntered off toward the front door.

“Damn it, Z’s my ride.” Luke got up and offered his chair to Marigold. “You look beautiful tonight, Mari. Sorry I can’t stay.”

She smiled and took his seat. “Thanks.”

He pushed her chair in before saying goodbye.

Audrey looked at me, her eyebrows lifted, as if she were trying to ask, or maybe tell me something. She flicked her eyes toward my departing brothers, then toward Marigold. I still didn’t know what she was getting at.

She sighed.

Marigold reached for Audrey’s hand. “Tell me how you’re doing. I heard about Lou. What was he thinking?”