Page 13 of The Red-Hot Stakes

“Me? Yeah. I’m fine, just fine.” He cleared his throat. “Avery and Derek should be here soon.” He drummed his fingers on the smooth surface of the bar.

“Good. You going to sing for them? Let Avery hear that beautiful voice of yours?”

He ducked his chin, and I swore his cheeks tinged with pink. “Nah.”

What is up with him tonight? “Guinness?”

“How about a Bud Light?”

Liam never ordered light anything. Setting my elbows on the counter, I bent forward so my face was level with his, peering at him.

He leaned away, his eyebrows knitting together. “What?”

“You don’t look sick.” I reached out to press my hand against his forehead, and he flinched. “I don’t think you have a fever. So what gives?” I stayed on my elbows, staring him down.

His eyes searched mine, as if hovering on the verge of telling me the truth. Then he sighed, dropping his gaze. “Just get me my beer, would ya? It’s been a long day.”

So much for being friends. “Fine.” I stalked off to get his Bud Light, making sure to leave the extra foam on top to irritate him.

He didn’t even give me the satisfaction of commenting on it. He just slid me his card then walked over to chat with Burt. Who directed him to my section. I muttered to myself as I started him a tab.

“So what was Mr. Green Eyes doing talking to the boss man?” Sarah asked as she filled a pitcher.

“Getting him to actually fix the floor, I guess.”

She blinked in surprise then glanced at my bandage. “How many stitches?”

“Twelve. Can’t get them wet for two weeks, so guess who gets to wash all the dishes?” I batted my eyelashes.

Her groan could have won an Academy Award. “What’d your boyfriend have to say about your mishap?”

Tension gripped my chest, squeezing the air from my lungs. That was the worst thing about a break-up or an accident, the ‘oh, what happened?’ questions that popped up when you least expected them. I started with the trip to the hospital and Josh brushing me off.

When I told her how he’d woken me with his request for a blow job, Sarah crossed her arms. “He did what?”

I nodded, quickly filling her in on the rest.

“Damn, girl. You’ve had a rough few days.”

Her sympathy threatened to pierce through my protective layers. It would undo me if I let it, but I couldn’t fall apart here. I had a shift to get through. I tiptoed deeper into the beckoning void, relieved when the numbness took over once more.

Sarah glanced side to side then lowered her voice. “Did you, you know, go get tested or anything?”

“Yeah, first thing the day after. Got my results back yesterday. All clear.”

“That’s something at least. Don’t need any of those gifts-that-keep-on-giving.” Empathy dripped from her knowing gaze. “Let me know if you need anything, okay?” After I nodded, she waltzed away with her pitcher of beer.

I dropped Liam’s card off before heading to my next table then pasted on my fake smile as more people trickled in. The numbness coated me, a welcome barrier between me and the world as I lost myself in my work, letting the motions take over.

Chapter Four

Derek and Avery came in, greeting me with cheerful hellos before they went to find Liam. I was in the middle of several orders, so I could do little more than wave. It was nice to see them rather than the random group of guys Liam brought with him, and I wondered what the occasion was.

Excitement trickled through me, sending little cracks spider-webbing through my frigid barriers. Warmth seeped in. I’d forgotten what it was like to feel warm inside.

My smile was real when I finally made it to their table. “Hey, guys, what brings you in tonight? You going to sing?”

We all turned to the stage where an older lady was doing a surprisingly decent Taylor Swift impression.

---