Page 56 of Fighting a Riot

Yak

“Are you serious about Lisa building that ludicrous hammock stand?” Rage asked when Yak hit the common room.

He fought glaring at Rage. “I had three thousand dollars worth of teak delivered to her shop and I paid her fifteen hundred dollars. So, yeah, I’m pretty fuckin’ serious about it, Rage.”

Rage shook his head. “Seems like a total waste. Especially when she’s planning a real grand opening in six weeks.”

Yak’s body stilled. For some strange reason he hadn’t realized May was just around the corner. He didn’t know if Nora needed chemo or if it had already started, but from dealing with his parents almost two decades ago, he knew he had to keep his distance.

And it was killing him.

Night after night he went to bed and visions of Nora pinned up against the kitchen wall assaulted him.

He hadn’t even gotten off that night, but he’d never been more satisfied. Watching her come… No, being the man who made her come gave him the ultimate power-trip. On the surface that didn’t sound good, but he couldn’t wait to do that again… and then some.

Yes, his mind had served up a myriad of ways he and Nora could take each other higher.

Dammit.

He knew better. She should know better, but that one night in his kitchen proved otherwise.

“Yo! Yak, did you hear me?” Rage demanded.

He shook his head. “No, I didn’t. What?”

Rage’s brown eyes shone with concern. “Christ, never seen someone zone out like that. Lisa wants you and Punc at this big grand opening she’s planning in May. You better fuckin’ be there.”

“I’ve been making you look good for her all these months, of course I’ll be there.”

Rage’s groaning sigh made Yak smile. Then Rage said, “Whatever, asshole. Your pirate-ship hammock better not interfere with her other shit.”

Yak stood straighter and assumed a fake air of self-importance. “It’s a dragon-crested hammock stand. Get your business straight.”

Rage shook his head and stalked to the other side of the common room while mumbling. “Nothing is ever serious with your ass.”

Yak smiled, then yelled, “That isn’t true! Hammocks are always serious!”

Liar and Andrea came into the clubhouse through the front door. The moment she saw him, Andrea’s eyes lit up. “Who cut your hair? I’ve never seen you with short hair, it looks great!”

Yak’s lips tipped up and he held a hand up as though shielding himself. “Whoa, there, Andrea. Gonna give Liar the wrong impression, sounding all impressed and shit.”

She shook her head. “I am not. You have curls. How is that possible but your hair was never that wavy when you had it down?”

“I hardly ever had it down, woman.”

Liar slung his arm around her. “He’s right.”

She glanced up at him. “Yeah.” Then she turned her gaze to Yak. “But women would kill to put their hands in those curls.”

Too late, he willed himself not to think of Nora putting her fingers in his hair. That idea appealed more than it should.

The room brightened as the back door opened. Major ambled up. “Who’s this?”

Yak looked at him. “Seriously, Major?”

The older man chuckled, low in his throat. “Ain’t seen you with hair this short since you prospected, what? Thirteen years ago?”

“Eleven. But who’s counting?”

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