Page 27 of Fastlander Fealty

“I don’t want to go home,” Captain said. “If I have to hang out with you losers today, I would rather be half drunk on…” He pulled a mango margarita out of the cooler and pulled a face. “Never mind, I want to go home.”

“I dare you to try it,” Owen called, remembering what Silver said.

“Double-dog-dare-you,” Silver said.

Captain narrowed his eyes at Silver. “Why would I take a dare from you?”

“You took her number yesterday,” Owen pointed out.

“If you don’t drink that, I’m going to tell all of my Pride that Captain Walker gags when he drinks,” Silver said.

Owen looked between her serious glare, and Captain’s angry one, and oh my God, this was awesome. He could barely contain his laugh.

“It’s a margarita,” Captain said. “In a can.”

“Did you bring any beer?” Silver asked.

It was Corey who responded. “If you’re seriously asking the man who brought a blow-up mattress as a float if he was responsible enough to bring drinks today, lions are dumber than I thought.”

But Owen didn’t miss it. There was a tiny smile tugging at the corners of Corey’s lips.

Corey might not be ready to admit it yet, because she was protective of Ace, but some part of Silver was entertaining her on some level.

Owen chanted, “Chug, chug, chug.”

Silver joined in, and to his freakin’ delight, so did Hallie. Even Gunner was fighting a smile now as he watched his brother, Captain, fuming.

“I hate all of you,” Captain assured them, and then he sank his canine into the side of the can, popped the top and shot-gunned that fruity little marg.

Hallie was settled into the raft between Silver and Corey, and pulled something out of a back pack, popped the top on a beer and did a little cheers to Captain. “Well done, buddy.”

“You have beer?” he bellowed.

“Not for you,” Hallie assured him.

“I need one of those,” Corey muttered.

Hallie grinned at Captain and didn’t even look at her cousin as she pulled another frosty can out of the iced down cooler-pack, and handed it over.

“I don’t want to be a part of this Crew anymore,” Captain muttered.

“Good, leave,” Gunner told him as they rounded another bend in the river. “Rapids,” he pointed out as they approached a shallow part of the river that was littered with rocks that caused the rapids.

“I’m not here for you!” Captain griped.

“I still don’t know why you’re even here in the first place,” Gunner pointed out.

“I think we’re giving the lion too much information,” Corey pointed out.

Silver looked over to her and shook her head. “I guarantee the lions can’t do anything with a member who doesn’t want to be here but still is here. He’s still dangerous as hell.” Truth.

Owen’s middle warmed as he saw Hallie hand Silver a beer.

“I’m dangerous? I like when you compliment me,” Captain called over Gunner’s kayak. “And listen, I’m sorry I didn’t text you last night. I thought about it—”

“Piss off, dude, she didn’t miss you texting her,” Owen announced.

“Well, she should have her options laid out in front of her. Not just the consolation prize.”

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