Page 86 of Verses

But it was fucking cold outside—so, in addition to my coat, I put on a pair of gray sweatpants for the walk to The Apothecary. I decided to get there early and have a couple of shots so I’d have the courage to take my coat off…because I felt nearly naked.

But I wasn’t about to back down.

None of the guys were there when I arrived—just grumpy old Marv. I slid up on a stool at the bar and said, “Give me a shot of whiskey.” When he scowled at me, I added, “Please.” After all, I was pulling him away from the idiot on the television who was trying to get him all stirred up about the state of the economy.

“What kind?”

“I don’t care.”

“I figured.”

What the hell was that supposed to mean?

But I didn’t care. Marv would be grouchy if the sun rose again in the east. It was just part of his charming personality.

When he put the shot glass in front of me filled with a jolt of courage, I handed him my debit card.

“Put that away,” he said. As I tilted my head in question, he said, “I know you guys all think I’m clueless and past my prime, but I know a good thing when I see one. You’ll bring in the crowds soon enough—so I don’t mind paying for your drinks now and again.”

“Thanks.” And he hadn’t even seen what was underneath my coat. Imagine that.

“Just don’t tell anybody else, because I’ll tell ‘em you’re a liar.”

Grinning, I said, “Thanks, Marv.” Then I swallowed the shot in one gulp.

“Maybe you could use another.” As he poured from the bottle into the shot glass, he peeked at the television but then looked back at me. “Also on the house.”

Neither of us had any idea that the way I was dressed would get him paid back fairly quickly.

Not long after the liquor was trickling into my bloodstream did Wolf arrive. He gave me a short quick nod.

Yep. Everything between us was ruined. And tonight I’d either make it worse…or better. But he wasn’t acting friendly like friends were supposed to. Maybe that was partly my fault, because I’d barely spoken to him on the ride home the other night, feeling like he’d once again put a huge wall between us.

I nodded back but I wasn’t ready to talk either. My pride still stung…and my heart still hurt.

But my plan was about to be put into action. And good thing, because my coat was feeling a littletoowarm.

When Pedro and Adrian arrived, they went straight to the stage and started getting their instruments ready to go. Wolf joined them…but I needed a few more minutes. The whiskey wasn’t making my brain lighter yet. But when Kyle showed up, I didn’t have much of a choice.

Time to get to work.

All the guys were on stage when I slid off the barstool. At the foot of the stage, I peeled off my coat, hanging it on the back of a chair before joining them.

The reactions were immediate—but I refused to make eye contact with Wolf.

Kyle said, “What the fuck? You’re dressed like a slut, Hayley.”

Why did he care? “Shut the hell up. You always used to like how I dressed.”

“You never wore anything like this in public.”

“Yes, I did. Don’t be a jealous asshole. We’re not dating anymore, and I can dress however I want.” Stepping on stage, I added, “And, by the way, part of the reason why these guys come drink in the afternoon is because of me. They aren’t just here for the music. They’re also here forme.”

I’d saidthese guys…well, there were three men in the bar at the moment, and I knew I shouldn’t have said it—but the words were out of my mouth before I could stop them.

“Really? Christ. Your fucking ego is out of control.”

No…it wasn’t. My self-esteem was in the toilet…but maybe Kyle hadn’t noticed.

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