Page 96 of Rags's Awakening
Rags glared at him. “You keep this shit up, you’ll be working solo.”
Throttle shrugged and turned back to the line. “Just sayin’.”
“Well stop sayin’ and shut the fuck up.” Rags set three drafts on the other barmaid’s tray.
“Hey, bro. Sorry I couldn’t get here any sooner, but Hope had a dance recital,” Chas said, sliding in behind the bar.
“No worries. Glad you’re here, though. Axe and Helm should be here soon to help out,” Rags said.
“I thought Helm was working at Dream House tonight,” Chas said as he pulled a frosty mug from the glass chiller.
“That’s not what Banger told me,” Rags replied.
“Or me,” Throttle added. “It’s a fuckin’ mess with the party goin’ on at the club tonight. We thought they’d be back tomorrow, so all the businesses are strapped for help.”
Before anyone could comment, Axe and Helm strode into the brewery. Soon, the long line around the bar, and the stack of drink orders flashing on the screen were under control.
“When you get back to the club, the party’ll be raging,” Axe said, setting several beer mugs on Krispen’s tray.
“I’m sure it will be,” Rags said as he filled the ice bin. “How does Baylee like you playing bartender on a Friday night?”
“She isn’t too happy ’bout it, but she knows the score. I think she was hoping for a night off from watching the boys.” Axe laughed.
“Guess you’ll be on dad duty tomorrow. Day and night,” Chas said, chuckling.
“Probably. But I don’t mind. Jagger’s a hell-raiser like his old man. He loves going out to Pete’s place and running wild. Zayn’s calmer. He likes to explore and study whatever he finds. Just like his mom.” Axe smiled.
“You should take them for a dip in the hot springs,” Throttle said. “Twenty minutes in there will calm his little ass.”
Casey, wet and curvy, flitted through Rags’s mind. He shifted his stance.
“I forgot Pete and Jackie have a hot spring on their property. I’ve never been there, have any of you?”
“A couple of times a few years back,” Throttle said.
“Same,” Chas said.
“I didn’t even know Pete had hot springs on his property,” Helm said, as they laughed.
“What about you?” Axe asked Rags.
“Like Chas and Throttle, I’ve been there a couple of times.” Rags turned away and replenished the straw and napkin containers.
“Might be cool to check it out, even if it’s snowing,” Axe said.
“It’s snowing?” Throttle asked.
“Yeah, and it’s cold as fuck outside.” Helm grinned at a pretty blonde leaning against the counter, her blue eyes shimmering as she locked onto him.
“Here he goes,” Chas muttered, and the others chuckled.
Then the door flew open, and Rags looked up.
Casey stomped her boots on the door mat before stepping inside. She pulled off her knit hat and dark brown strands of hair cascaded past her shoulders. Her cheeks were flushed and dusted with snowflakes.
And then she saw him.
Their eyes locked.
