Page 38 of Dirty Ginger

Silence was his friends’ response, and Beckett took that to mean his concerns were valid.

Customers on the far side of the bar suddenly roared as someone scored a goal in the soccer game playing on the big screen monitors. When Beckett looked back to the group, he found Hayes smiling brightly at something over Beckett’s shoulder. Only one thing made Hayes smile like that.

Maisie sidled up to the table, her expression looking as pissed as Beckett felt.

“That’s not a happy face,” Hayes commented, grabbing Maisie by the waist and pulling her onto his lap. “What’s wrong?”

“Luka is what’s wrong.” She slid her gaze to Beckett, pity in her face. “He’s at Amelia’s, and I wish I had the ability to make him vanish off the face of the earth.”

“You and me both,” Beckett agreed.

Maisie’s eyebrows shot up. “You knew he was there?”

“Yeah,” he replied. “I was there when he showed up this morning.”

“Why didn’t you make him leave?”

Beckett gave a dry laugh, slowly shaking his head. “Have you met your sister, Maisie? If she wanted him gone, she would have gotten him to leave.”

Maisie huffed, crossing her arms. “I don’t like it. Fine, he comes to, I don’t know, make amends or whatever shit he thinks he’s doing, but why does he need to still be there? What in the hell are they talking about?”

At that, a chill ran down Beckett’s spine. He glanced down at his watch. Two hours had gone by since he’d left her house. He met Maisie’s gaze again. “He’s still at the house?”

“Yeah, he’s been there a while from what I hear,” Maisie grumbled. “Clara told me they’ve been talking. I seriously don’t know why she gives him a second of her time. What else do you need to talk about other than to tell Luka he’s an asshole and to never come back to the house?”

Beckett absorbed what he heard and looked between Hayes and Sullivan. Both his friends wore matching deep frowns, and Beckett knew now for certain his concern had some merit. He wouldn’t lose her. Not to that fucker. Never again.

He rose, and Hayes lifted his brows. “Where are you going?” he asked.

“To make sure she’s all right,” he said.

“Is that wise?” Hayes asked, his voice shifting into the authoritative tone he used on the job. “The charges have just been dropped. Sit down. Take a breather. Contact her later.”

Beckett shut his eyes, fighting against the draw to ensure no one else got close to her. But he didn’t want to get any of this wrong. He let out a long, stabilizing breath and then reopened his eyes, returning to his chair.

“Smart decision,” Hayes said, right as Beckett’s cellphone vibrated in his pocket.

When he pulled it out, he noticed the call was from an unknown caller. “Hello,” he answered.

A soft voice on the other end of the line asked, “Hello. I’m looking for Beckett Stone? Is this him?”

The spicy aroma of hot wings infused the air as Megan carried over a tray and began setting down the plates. “Yes, it is. How can I help you?”

“Mr. Stone, I’m afraid I have some difficult news to tell you...”

The world faded away, his heartbeat hammering in his ears the only sound he could hear. His stomach rolled, his chest aching for air as he shot up from the table and ran for the door, hearing his friends yelling after him.

* * *

Later that afternoon,Amelia rubbed at her aching back, examining her work for the day. The three one-gallon glass apple cider jugs were now full of sample beers and fermenting. She’d made Beckett’s beer, Hayes’ and Clara’s. Tomorrow she’d get to the other three. In two weeks, she’d know if these beers were a disaster or something brilliant. And hopefully out of the six, Ronnie liked a few of the samples.

“It smells good in here.”

Amelia glanced back, finding Maisie and Clara behind her. Someone was missing though. “Lots of brews make for yummy smells. Where’s Mason?”

“Raiding your fridge,” Clara said with a smile. “Are you all done here for the day?”

“Yeah, everything on my body hurts and my brain is mush,” she said, removing her apron and leaving it on the hook on the wall. “Have either of you heard from Beckett? He’s not answering my texts.”

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