Page 30 of Five Mountain Daddies

“I think you likethat.”

She rolls her eyes at me, which just makes me smilemore.

I stand up and head over to the bar, pouring myself a whisky. “Want something?” Iask.

She nods. “Whatever you’rehaving.”

I pour her a whisky too, although I’m not sure she’ll like it. I hand her the glass and she takes a sip. I can tell she tries not to make a face, which makes me like her evenmore.

“The guys all talk about you like you’re the one in charge,” shesays.

“Do they?” I laugh a little bit. “I don’t feel incharge.”

“You started this company,right?”

“No,” I say. “I mean, it was my idea, but I started it with the twins and Ryan. Henry camelater.”

“Right, after you saved him fromprison.”

He sighs. “You have the wrong idea aboutme.”

“Maybe,” she says softly. “You also started Club Sheets,right?”

“That was selfish.” I say. “I only opened that place because this town is soboring.”

She laughs at that. “Okay, I can’t arguethere.”

“Look, I’m not some saint, okay? I’ve done my fair share of fucked up shit. I’ve just…” I trail off, not sure why I’m even talking aboutthis.

“Just what?” she askssoftly.

“Trying to do better for people.” I sip my whisky, feeling dumb for sayingthat.

But she doesn’t laugh. She just nods a little bit. “I can getthat.”

“I’m not in charge. I’m not some kind ofleader.”

“Okay,” she says, finallysmiling.

I sigh. “Would a leader let his friends get their hands on youfirst?”

“Yes,” shesays.

I grin and shake my head. “No. I think a leader would take you when he first wantedyou.”

“When wasthat?”

“The second I saw you at thatparty.”

“Oh,yeah?”

“Why do you think I came up to you?” I sit back down on the couch, facing her slightly. “I was interested rightaway.”

“You didn’t knowme.”

“I stilldon’t.”

She purses her lips. “Better than you did. And I feel like I know you, just from the way the guys talk aboutyou.”

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