Page 28 of Fastlander Fighter

“Sorry,” Captain grumbled.

“Um, he did use a discount code,” Hallie announced. “Also, Silver isn’t even here, and Ace just texted and said he stole a six-pack of beers from the gas station side.”

“Apology accepted,” Owen said, hiding a smile.

Captain hated him. A rush of fury overcame him, and he chucked his metal tongs at Owen’s head.

Owen caught them and said, “Whoa there, boss. There’s humans behind me. Violence is not the answer.”

“I’m taking a ten-minute break!” Captain said, yanking the tie of his pitmaster apron.

“Want company?” Owen called as he walked away.

Captain came back around the corner so Owen could see the honesty etched into his expression as he said, “I would literally rather step in a bear trap than spend my break with you, fuckwad.”

“So angry,” Owen called after him.

Captain shook his head and tried to stifle the growl in his chest. He was a disaster lately, and he didn’t get it. He’d been steady and in control for a while before he came to the Fastlanders, and now all of a sudden he was at war with his animal all day every day?

He tossed the apron on the pile of other ones that needed to go in the wash and shoved the employee exit door open so hard, it slammed against the wall.

He’d spent all day checking the front to see if Sloane was there. Just like he’d done yesterday and the day before, and why? She wasn’t supposed to come in. He hadn’t invited her. He’d shut her down and refused to go get ice cream with her and her kid, so why the fuck was he searching for her everywhere he went?

“Fuck!” he yelled, gripping his hair in the back as he stared out into the woods.

What was wrong with him?

“She’s got her claws in deep, huh?”

At the sound of Owen’s voice, Captain rolled his eyes closed and heaved a sigh. “I don’t have it in me to deal with you today, Owen. Leave me alone.”

“Um, I would, except your brother sent me, and he did his Alpha-order thing, and now I have to hang out with you. Don’t blame me. Blame Gunner.”

With a frown, Captain sank down onto the picnic table he’d dragged out here for employees to take lunch breaks at out of the line of sight of customers. “Why?”

Owen set a tray of food on the table between them and sat down on the bench seat on the other side. “My guess? The girls. They worry too much and get all involved and start chattering about how one of us needs extra attention, and here you are. Getting extra attention.”

“The girls need to mind their own business. Why did Gunner send you? Why didn’t he talk to me himself if he’s so worried?”

“Because you both hate each other?” Owen deadpanned.

Oh. Right. “I want to fight everyone.”

“You always want to fight everyone,” Owen said, setting a stuffed chopped pork baked potato in front of Captain.

Captain narrowed his eyes. “Who told you I like just butter and cheese on it?” he asked.

“I pay attention.”

“Who told you?” he asked again.

“No one. I really do pay attention.” Truth.

Captain glared. “Is this some kind of trick?”

Owen lifted his bright-blue eyes to him and rested his elbows on the table, let the truth in his voice ring as he said, “You can talk to me, and for the next five minutes, whatever you tell me is safe, and I won’t go to anyone in the rest of the Crew, including Silver.”

Truth. Huh.

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