Page 85 of Knight
Cyrus turned back to his client, reaching for a salve he’d rub over the fresh ink before covering it in a plastic film to protect it.
I opened our booking system on the computer and brought up Cyrus’s calendar. “Hmm. It’s looking like three weeks out for a longer session. Thursday afternoon. Can you get the time off for that?”
“I think so, yeah. The guys are cool as long as I give them some notice. Helps that Bailey is around to lend a hand. Things have calmed down a lot.”
I nodded. “You gonna be ready for him to start school?”
“Oh, hell yeah. He’s excited about it, so I am too. With him in town, it’ll be a lot easier for everyone.”
I filled in the appointment slot on the computer with Flynn’s name and details. “Okay, we’re all set.”
“Want to grab a beer next door before I head out?” Flynn asked. “It’s been a while since we caught up.”
I hesitated. “Um, I’m not quite done here.”
Cyrus waved me off. “Go ahead, Knight. I can ring up Gerald. We need to talk about our next session, anyway. I’ll close down my station and put everything in the autoclave.”
“You sure? I don’t mind staying.”
“Sure. It’s already past closing time.”
“Okay.” I went over to the coat tree in the corner and grabbed my leather jacket. “Just one beer. I told Aiden I’d make dinner.”
“You two are getting cozy,” Flynn said as we went out the door.
My stomach flipped. “I mean, I cook for me anyway, and he usually works late. It makes sense to share.”
“Hey, I think it’s great. Aiden needs someone looking out for him.”
I didn’t disagree, but I knew Aiden would bristle at his brother thinking he needed a keeper.
“Aiden can take care of himself,” I said. “Your brother is smart and resourceful.”
“Oh, I know. Needs was the wrong word. Maybedeservesis more appropriate. Aiden’s been on his own a long time. I’m glad he has someone looking out for him. How’s that?”
I nodded. “Fair enough. I’m happy to fill the role when he lets me.”
Flynn snorted. “Which probably isn’t very damn often.”
He wasn’t wrong about that, either. I’d only recently gotten Aiden to put away his claws about sharing meals—and only with the agreement that he’d buy the groceries. But he was relaxing, bit by bit. Last night, he’d even let me give him a full-body massage, which had been incredibly nice for both of us.
Not that I could tell Flynn any ofthat.
We walked down the sidewalk to Ball Breakers next door. Flynn opened the metal door, and I stepped inside.
We paused to let our eyes adjust to the gloom. The bar was moderately busy with the dinner hour, but it wouldn’t get really packed until later.
“You grab a table, and I’ll get the beer,” Flynn said.
I grabbed an empty table a few feet from the bar—a good distance from the pool tables so the clatter of balls wouldn’t be too loud—and sat down.
Flynn came back with a couple of beers—and Fox. “Look who I found over at the bar.”
Fox chuckled awkwardly. “Is it okay if I gatecrash the party?”
“Sure.” I kicked out a chair for him. “Couldn’t talk Angela into some fun, huh?”
“Nah.” He sat down across from me while Flynn took the chair to my right. “Hey, I was wondering. Why don’t you call her Angel like everyone else?”
