Page 34 of Hard to Hold
Calvin lifted a hand in a short wave. “Love ya, kid. Y’all be good.”
“Love you, too, Dad.”
With that, I headed out the same way I'd come.
The drive to Reagan’s took all of five minutes. Getting into the bar took another two after stopping to chat with one of the cowboys hanging in the parking lot, and then I was finally perched on a barstool with a cold beer in front of me. My cousin hadn’t arrived yet, but I was already anticipating the knock-down, drag-out that was coming. In fact, it was likely going to happen before Lynx even arrived. If the obnoxious cowboys in the back didn’t cool their jets and leave Amy alone, I was going to rearrange their priorities right quick.
“Oh, come on, honey. I’m sure Reagan won’t mind if you have a beer with us. We’ll even let you break if you want.”
One guy leaned on his pool stick while the other moved closer to Amy.
Amy sidestepped a hand that reached for her and I inadvertently growled.
“What’s the matter, doll face? Shy? Don’t worry, we’ll be easy on you.”
I looked up and met Reagan’s concerned gaze. I nodded, taking a long pull on my beer as I got to my feet. “Might as well call the sheriff now,” I told her, then set the bottle down with a little more force than necessary.
“We’ll be happy to show you around town, sugar,” the younger one said. “You’re new here, right? Probably don’t know a lot of people? We can fix that for ya. And we’ll even end the outing with a personal tour of my bedroom.” The guy chuckled.
Wow. What a fuckup.
Shaking my head in disbelief, I stepped up behind Amy, careful not to touch her.
“I doubt she’d be impressed by your momma’s house,” I told the younger one.
That earned me a glare from both men. I recognized them. They were wranglers over at the Double D.
“Fuck you, Caine. Why don’t you mind your own damn business,” the older one spat.
Amy inadvertently stepped back, her body coming up against mine. I didn’t know if she was even aware how close she was, but I damn sure wasn’t about to say anything. Placing my hands on her shoulders, I steered her around and turned her toward the bar. “I got this.”
Her big brown eyes flew up to meet mine, and I forced a smile.
“Who the fuck do you think you are?” the young dumb ass questioned. “We were talkin’ to her.”
“You were actin’ a fool,” I informed him, turning back slowly.
It was too damn early for these idiots to be acting like … well, like idiots. No way had a couple of beers pushed them to the limit and made their inner jackasses take over. They simply lacked any fucking manners.
When the older one took a step closer, I noticed the instant he realized our true size differences.
“Look. We don’t want no trouble.” Holding his hands up in surrender, the guy kept his eyes locked with mine.
“Don’t let me hear you disrespectin’ her again.”
“Of course not.”
I pointed at the younger one. “And if you touch her, I’ll break your fuckin’ hand.”
Knowing it was a gamble, I gave the two men my back. Even as I did, I knew what was coming. The pool stick cracked right across my shoulder blades. The force of the blow would’ve sent me sprawling across the floor if I hadn’t braced for it. The second strike across my kidney made me wince, but I managed to turn and block the next one.
“Fight!” someone hollered.
I grabbed the fist flying toward me and stilled it. I squeezed until the guy grimaced.
“You wanna do this? Let’s take it outside.” No way would I disrespect Reagan and let this go on inside her bar.
“Come on, then!” the younger guy blustered. “I ain’t scared’a you.”
