Page 64 of Strike Zone

I wish we never had this conversation. All I can think about now is ‘what if’. What if I wasn't tied up in an arranged engagement? What if we gave it a chance? What if we try and we mess everything up?

16

WYATT

I straighten my new hat on my head before I exit my truck. The bill is stiff and needs working in. I know Wren will be happy I’m not wearing my old Newhouse one tonight. I’ve been tempted to force her into wearing it every time her little nose scrunches up looking at it.

This new hat magically appeared on the top of my dresser yesterday afternoon. I’ll never stop wearing my old one, but I’ll wear this one for her since she bought it for me.

Hart and I walk through the parking lot toward the front door of Ray’s, a local honky tonk—Lauren and Sydney got a job here bartending last semester. Hart wasn’t thrilled with the idea. I’ve heard him grumble about it once or twice.

But he knows Lauren is made of tough material. He learned early on in their relationship that his girlfriend can handle anything on her own. Drunk guys are a walk in the park compared to everything else Lauren has been through.

Koa on the other hand hasn’t stopped getting on Sydney’s case about her job. “I thought Koa said he wasn’t coming?” I ask as we pass a red Camaro that looks a hell of a lot like my roommate’s car.

Hart glances at Koa’s car parked near the front of the lot. “I asked him if he wanted to go to The Armory.” Hart smirks. “He didn't know we were coming here tonight.”

“How did you know he was going to be here? Wait. Is this what he’s been doing every night?” I ask, opening the front door. The music hits me like a brick wall.

Hart nods. Even with the music to hide behind, my friend will still choose silence in public places and around people he doesn’t know.

“How long?”

Hart shrugs then nods towards the back of the bar. I guess I get to have my questions answered straight from the source. Koa is nursing a beer discreetly at a low top table. He bobs and weaves his head, keeping his eyes laser focused on the bar. On Sydney.

Earth to Captain Obvious.

“Is this seat taken?” I pull back a chair and sit down, not waiting for him to turn me away.

“Shit,” Koa curses under his breath. “You said you were going to The Armory.” He directs his statement at Hart.

“I lied.”

“You’re an asshole. When did you figure it out?” Koa asks.

“The day you told Sydney to do whatever the hell she wanted and stopped riding her as much about working here.”

Koa drops his head. “Someone had to do it.”

“Whatever helps you sleep at night. I’m going to find mi brujita.” Hart disappears into the crowd.

A waitress comes by to take our order. I get a beer for myself and a tequila and Sprite for Wren. I’m not sure what Charlie drinks or I would have ordered her something too.

“Don’t start,” Koa says. I hold my hands up in surrender.

“I wasn’t going to say anything. I think it’s great you’re looking after Sydney. I bet Nash appreciates all that you do for her.”

“Maybe he asked me to check up on her.” He raises an eyebrow. Like having Nash’s permission to keep an eye on Sydney will negate all his possessive feelings over her, but sure let’s go with that. “How about we talk about your current situation?”

I shrug. Then take a sip of my draft beer. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

He smirks. “I’m talking about that.” Koa points toward the door. Looking over my shoulder, my eyes bulge, my tongue rolls out of my mouth, and my heart immediately starts racing.

Lord have mercy.

Time slows to a halt. Every step Wren takes in my direction is excruciating. Her hair bounces over her shoulders and glows under the neon lights like a halo. She’s wearing the jeans and boots we bought together last week and a white tank top that dips low enough to tease me with cleavage.

I knew Wren had a body under those blazers she wears. Shit, I saw her half naked with my own two eyes.

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