Page 19 of Knight
“Rude!” Bailey called out.
Gray laughed. “Serves you right, brat. You used to complain about me and Emory all the damn time.”
“You guys arewayworse,” he said.
Axel cackled. “He’s not wrong. You guys are the worst.”
“Sure, until Sheriff Handsy came along. Nowyou’reworse.”
The guys continued to shit talk one another, so I grabbed a seat and snagged a mostly full beer that sat neglected on the table. Somebody needed to drink it, and I was light on cash.
I tried to tune into the conversation, but I kept catching myself straining to hear Aiden’s voice. I glanced sidelong and caught him watching me with a pensive look.
“So, how are things?” Flynn asked, clapping me on the back. “I heard about Tex flying the coop.”
“Yeah.” I frowned. “The asshole isn’t taking my calls, so I can’t even try to change his mind.”
“Damn, that’s too bad.” Flynn shook his head. “He was a shit stirrer, but I thought he’d stick it out.”
“Yeah. Now, I’ve got to make sure Hollywood doesn’t lose his shit. He’s all spun up. And I’m a little worried about our new guy, too. He’s keeping his distance. This was all easier when you were there, man.”
“This is just a rocky patch. You’ll get through it. Even Tex. He’ll figure out his shit sooner or later.”
“I hope you’re right.” I raised my beer for another sip.
“Hey, wasn’t he supposed to move in with you?”
“Yep.” I grinned. “If I didn’t have shit luck with roommates, I’d have no luck at all, right?”
“Oh, damn. Well, maybe Aiden?—”
Axel whistled sharply, cutting into our conversation. I looked over to see Sheriff Dalton Harvey walk up to the table, still in uniform.
“Lookingall official there, babe,” Axel said. “You’re not here to cuff me, are you?”
“That’s hardly a punishment for you, darlin’,” Dalton said with a chuckle. “I’ve got a deputy out sick, so I have to go back in.”
“Fuck that noise,” Axel said. “You’re the sheriff. Make someone else do it.”
His smile was rueful. “There is no one else, but I’ll be home in time to tuck you in.”
“You better be.”
He set a hand on Aiden’s shoulder. “Glad to have you back with us. Let me know if these guys give you any trouble, and I’ll take care of it.”
Aiden smiled. “I can handle myself, but thank you, Sheriff.”
Dalton grinned. “I bet you can. Call me Dalton, though. The sheriff business is just for the folks I have to arrest.”
“Okay, got it. Thanks, Dalton.”
Dalton leaned in and gave Axel’s hair a small tug. “See you later.”
Axel stood. “Hey, I’ll walk you out. You can’t be too careful in this part of town.”
Dalton grinned at him. “Is that right? Well, you better come along and protect me, then, darlin’.”
They walked out together, Axel smirking over his shoulder at us and wiggling his eyebrows.
