Page 29 of Everything I Crave

“Looking me up, are ya?” She winks over her shoulder.

“Had to see what all the hype was about in my bar. Can’t have you causing any riots on the patio.” I wink back.

“It’s sadder,” she admits softly.

“I think it’s just more soulful, your feelings are in it now, you aren’t trying to be who they want.” And that’s true. I feel like her music now is more who she wants to be, not who she’s expected to be as an artist.

“Well. According to social media, I’m taking the break I should be taking, a permanent one.”

“Don’t let the trolls of the internet deter you. I think if you were to post something recent they would go crazy.”

I know I did the first time I heard her sing when she tested out the karaoke system at Lacey’s engagement party.

“We’ll see. First step is to talk to my sisters.” She nods, as if this discussion is over and closed. So I take her lead and change the topic.

We eat in comfortable silence before I have to go shower to meet the guys.

“Think you can manage to stay out this time?” I joke.

She throws the dish towel at me, telling me to go fuck myself. I remind her that I do that just fine with or without her prying eyes then run before she can whip me with the towel I threw back at her.

For good measure, I lock the bathroom door. Despite how calm I acted in front of her, thoughts of her writhing underneath me have me ready to go even with ice cold water hitting my back.

We are sixteen holes in, no one knows the score, and we’re sweating our asses off.

“Damn, I can’t wait to get that ice cold beer waiting for me at The Bar.” Preston says.

“Who says it’s waiting there?” I ask.

“Me. I’m winning obviously.”

Colton elbows his ribs. “I think the par seven you had a few holes back says otherwise, brother.”

The two continue to give each other shit and Porter and I fall back behind them.

“Those two are like having kids.” He says, sounding exhausted with their antics.

“Tell me about it, they’re as bad as the frat kids that come home for summer and work at my bar.” We both laugh at Preston and Colton, now wrestling at hole seventeen.

I walk between the two of them and place my ball on the tee before swinging and getting the closest I’ve gotten to the hole all day.

“I will take both your money for those beers, thank you.” I put my club back in my bag and head over to the green. Porter’s laughter echoes behind me.

Once we finish we head into the clubhouse for lunch, and the beers Preston and Colton want. They’ve never pushed me on why I don’t drink, and I’ve never offered, but I order my soda and am grateful to not have to relive the memories after this morning.

“Hey asshole, what are you doing in this bar? Your bar not doing it for you? I have to agree, I won’t be back at that shithole again.” The jerk from last night, the one with their hands all over Willow, looms over me.

“Just move on, man. I’m just here to golf like you.” I try to dispel the conflict.

“Not so tough now, you don’t have your bodyguard. Must be real tough to need a woman to protect you.”

Fuck it. No one disrespects Mack.

I stand up, and the three guys stand with me. Luckily the asshole is alone, so he takes the cue and walks away laughing like he won. I should have had him trespassed from my bar.

“Who the fuck was that?” Porter raises an eyebrow at the jerk laughing to himself.

“Some ass I had to kick out last night. He had his hands all over Willow’s ass.” I narrow my eyes at the thought.

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