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“He did scream right in your face, didn’t he?”

She wrinkled her nose and nodded. “That he did.”

“Let me buy you a drink to help you forget the past ten minutes,” I suggested.

“Uh, I’m okay. I need to get home.”

I glanced at the staircase in the back of the bar. “One drink won’t put you too far behind from going to bed.”

She smiled softly. “Thank you, but I don’t drink.” She tipped her head toward the front door. “And it looks like your friends might be needing some help.”

“Jesus Christ,” I grumbled.

Tiger still had a hold on Jim, but Jersey had been distracted by a tall redhead whose arm was draped over his shoulders, and her hand was snaking down the front of his pants.

“That happened…” she trailed off and tipped her head. “Fast.”

“Things tend to happen fast when the Lost Mavericks are around.”

Her eyes dropped to my cut and then looked up at me. “You know the Broken Jokers?”

“They don’t have anything on the Lost Mavericks, babe. You know them?”

She shrugged. “Uh, I think my dad used to hang out with them before he died. I never did.”

I nodded and stepped toward her. “Sorry about your dad.”

She pasted a smile on her lips. “Uh, thank you. It’s been a few years since he passed.”

“Your mom still around?” I knew we were standing in the middle of the bar with people all around us, but it felt like it was just me and her.

She shook her head. “She took off as soon as they cut the umbilical cord. A crackhead and a baby aren’t a good combination.”

“Sorry again, babe. Life didn’t really deal you a good hand, huh?”

“No, not really.” She cleared her throat. “And I need to get to bed.” Her eyes dropped to my name on my cut. “Hail.”

“And what about you?” I asked. “What is your name?”

She shook her head. “It’s not important.”

“I beg to argue that, babe. Everything about you is important to me.”

“Oh boy,” she laughed.

I stepped close and cradled her arm in my hand. “How about I just call you mine?”

“Is it hot in here?” she wheezed. “I feel hot. Must be my sweatshirt. I better get upstairs and take it off.” Her eyes bugged out. “My sweatshirt that I have a shirt on underneath, I need to take off. Not get naked. I mean, I will get naked at some point, but then I’m going to put clothes back on right away. I just need to get out of these clothes from work.” She looked around. “Did I mention it seems hot in here?” she whispered.

“What’s your name, babe?” I asked softly.

“If I tell you, can I run away up the stairs?” Her eyes looked into mine, and it felt like she was looking into my soul.

“For tonight,” I replied. She could run right now, but I knew where to find her.

“Mary Jay. My name is Mary Jay, Hail. Have a good night, and try not to get into any more bar fights, okay?” She sprinted to the back of the bar and barreled up the stairs like she was being chased by a bull.

“Mary Jay,” I whispered. I liked it, but I like mine better.

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