Page 17 of Filthy Hot

She hums. “I like the sound of that,” she murmurs. “Now, it’s ass-beating time.”

And that is how the evening goes. I play cards with Ophelia until the sun comes up, then I head back to the clubhouse and pass the fuck out. I do so, knowing that I was close enough to Kyle that I kept her safe from whatever she’s running away from.

I’m not an idiot.

I know she’s on the run.

I know she’s been through hell.

I can see it in her eyes, mainly because they look like mine. But hopefully, whatever it is, I can protect her from it all—every square inch of it.

CHAPTER

SEVEN

KYLE

As I walkinto Sal’s Bar, I can’t wipe the smile from my lips. I have had the best day to date. I woke up after a peaceful night of sleep. I took a long hot shower, and then I went and got something to eat. I bought some groceries at the store for the little kitchenette in my room, then walked around downtown.

It was amazing.

Every time I don’t think I could love Pineville more, I fall a little deeper in love with the place.

The bartender, Dennis, is already behind the bar setting things up for the evening. I almost ask him if it’s going to be as busy as it was last night when Sal walks out of his office and clears his throat.

“Dennis and Kyle,” he booms.

Swinging my head over to look at him, I smile as he grins widely in my direction. “We have two bachelor parties tonight. It’s going to be absolutely chaotic.”

I can’t imagine it being even crazier than it was last night, but at the same time, I’m glad. A busy night doesn’t just mean moremoney. It also means I’ll be able to keep Xavier off my mind a lot easier.

I want to forget about his existence. I know it makes me naïve. I shouldn’t ever drop my guard. I’ve done that before, and it did me absolutely no favors.

But I can’t shake the sensation of feeling safe here.

If there was absolutely anywhere in the world where I could breathe easy, I truly believe it’s here in Pineville.

Sal throws up his arms before he says one more thing. “Let’s have a great night.”

And that is that.

Tossing my belt bag beneath the bar, I grab the apron from the hook and tie it around my waist. Then I gather the rest of my things before I tie my hair up in a ponytail. If this is going to get wilder than last night, I’m going to need to try and stay as cool as possible.

With a wave and a smile, I watch as the girls begin to file in. Bren rushes over to me and wraps her arms around me in a hug, her lips at my ear before she whispers to me.

“It might get wild tonight. If you need anything at all, do not hesitate.”

I don’t even know where exactly she is in the building, so I don’t know how I would find her to ask her for help, but I don’t say any of that. Instead, I thank her and squeeze her before she releases me and takes a step backward.

“On nights like this, we go to the all-night diner on the outskirts of town to eat and unwind. You’re coming with us. I’ll give you a ride,” she announces. “You, too, Dennis,” she calls out before she spins around and walks off.

I watch her for a moment, unsure of what’s just happened, then I hear Dennis chuckling behind me. Turning my head, I look over my shoulder at him. He is grinning at me, shaking his head from side to side.

“What?” I ask.

He snorts. “If you thought you were just going to come here and live a quiet life, you are fucked.”

“Why?”

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