Page 8 of Wrecked
“I hated seeing you tied up and injured like that.”
She squeezed his shoulder. “But you saved me and my bruises washed off in the shower.”
She punched up a playlist, turned up the volume, and sang along. Within seconds, Hawk was belting out the words. Despite Hawk’s somewhat off-key rendition, she loved when they sang together. Everything felt right when they were flying down the road, the music blaring, the warm summer air flowing through her hair.
For the past three years, he’d been one of her closest friends in the world. She adored him from the depths of her soul.
Twenty minutes later, he pulled into the parking lot of The Tiki Lounge. Together, they walked inside, stopping at the crowded bar. Hawk squeezed in and tried getting the bartender’s attention. Two attempts later, he pulled Addison flush against him.
“Smile,” he murmured in her ear. “Shoot him a wave.”
She loved how their bodies were pressed together. As the bartender moved closer, she leaned forward a little, caught his eye, and smiled.
“Be right with you,” he said.
She fixed her attention on Hawk. Dreamy turquoise eyes peered into hers. “He’ll be right with me.” She offered a smarmy grin. “What are you drinking?”
“A Bud,” Hawk replied.
“No shot?”
“I’m heading back tonight. If you change your mind about the party, I’ll drive you home.”
She caught a flash of—disappointment? Frustration? She thought she knew him, but something had his panties in a wad.
“What can I getcha?” the bartender asked.
Addison dragged her gaze from Hawk. “A shot of Wild Turkey and two bottles of Bud.”
She pulled a credit card from her phone case.
After the bartender set down their drinks, Hawk handed him cash. “Keep the change.”
He grabbed their beers as she lifted her shot. They made their way through the crowded, noisy bar, past the restaurant, toward the private room in the back.
As soon as they entered, the delicious aroma of fried food wafted in their direction. The room was filled with long picnic-like tables. Along the left wall was a buffet. Addison’s mouth watered.
Rather than taking off, she turned to Hawk. “Here’s to a great week. We kicked butt, got our asses kicked, and got to hang with our peeps.” She raised her shot glass, he raised his beer bottle. They clinked and drank.
“Whoo, that burns,” Addison said after tossing back the bourbon.
She took her beer bottle from him and sipped. “Save me a seat.”
He tossed her a nod as Stryker walked over. She took off into the crowded room in search of Emerson Easton and Danielle Fox.
Cooper stood on a chair. “Hey, team,” he shouted over the chatter.
When the group of thirty quieted down, Cooper raised his glass. “Congratulations on a great week. Everyone pushed hard, did their personal best, and got the job done. To you.”
“Whooo-hoo! Go ALPHA!” Karen shouted.
Silence.
All eyes turned in her direction.
Addison squeezed through the throng of Operatives until she got to her mentee. Karen’s cheeks flamed red as she scanned the group.
Addison tossed Cooper a nod. “I got this.” Addison wrapped her arm around Karen, pulled her into the corner. “ALPHA doesn’t exist. You can’t say that name in public.”
