Page 70 of Rekindle My Heart

Chapter 16

The buzzer sounded, signaling the end of the third period. This was the life, unlimited food and drink while watching the Wild work the puck. Yup, Ryan could get used to this.

He slapped Harrison, CJ’s brother, on the back. “Hey man, thanks for scoring the cool suite.”

“No problem. It’s just one of the perks of the job. We lucked out that the Wild had a preseason home game tonight.” For a CFO of one of the largest transport and freight companies in the nation, Harrison was down-to-earth and an all-around good guy.

“Everybody, listen up.” Jordan whistled. “The shuttle is outside. Grab your stuff.”

The group boarded the party bus, complete with music, colored lights, and stripper poles.

Jordan cracked open the cooler and tossed out beers. A bottle of Fireball was making its way around the bus. Ryan passed. Someone had to stay relatively sober in case these drunks need a ride home at the end of the night. No doubt a few of their vehicles would be staying at the station, where they parked, overnight.

An old Aerosmith song came on, and Jim grabbed the pole. Hoots of laughter rose as he cut loose.

Ryan nudged Brannon. “Who knew Jim could do a plank on the pole.”

Ian shrugged. “It’s not that hard.”

“Well, get up there, big boy.” Ryan gestured to the other pole.

Ian stood, ducking his head to fit his large frame in the bus. He flexed his biceps, then grabbed the pole. In one smooth move, he was horizontal four feet off the floor.

“Damn, man. You make it look easy.”

“It’s all upper body and core.” His feet hit the floor, then he motioned for Ryan to try it.

“I got twenty that says Daniels won’t do it,” Sarge heckled from the back of the bus.

Well, hell. He couldn’t let Brannon show him up. Not with money down. Game on.

Ryan slammed the rest of his beer, rubbed his hands together, then grabbed the pole. The music shifted to Lizzo. His hips swayed.

“Woot! Woot! Work it, Daniels.” A chorus of laughs and chides followed. He tuned them out and spun around the pole. He bent back and did a low dip before hoisting his body into a plank. The cheers and applause thundered around the bus. He dropped his legs and took a bow.

“Who’s next?” He gestured to the pole.

Jim’s brother in-law swayed as he stepped up. He flexed his muscles, then grabbed the pole. A squat. A jump. And he was flat on his back on the floor. His arm shot in the air, thumb up. “I’m good.”

Laughter boomed off the walls as the bus pulled to the side and parked.

“Stop number two,” CJ called.

They all stumbled from the bus. A casual onlooker would have no clue most of these guys were officers of the law. Hell, if a couple of them didn’t slow down, they’d end up drying out in a cell tonight.

Neon from the sign washed down over the dark brick wall. One small window was blacked out. The pulse of the bass seeped out through the closed door.

“I hope they have some country.” Sarge did an exaggerated amble on his way to the metal door.

Inside, upbeat music pounded. Ryan worked his jaw to pop his ears. He didn’t know which was louder, the party bus or the bar.

CJ leaned in. “I’m feeling old,” he shouted in Ryan’s ear.

So was he. Most of the clientele were in their mid-twenties, and the sweet smell of pot drifted from somewhere in the bar. He snorted. These people smoked it for recreation. A few more years and he himself would be looking into the gummies to deaden the knee pain from a decade as a beat cop.

The guys made their way through the crowd, away from the booming speakers to the room in the back. The volume dropped a few decibels as they entered the game room. Perfect. They took up residence at a couple tables in the back. Harrison and CJ went to grab a few pitchers of beer, while Ian and Sarge put quarters down for their spot in line for the pool table.

“Hey, hey!” Larson’s voice reached him a moment before she slapped him on the shoulder. “I didn’t know you guys were coming here tonight.”