Page 63 of On The Rocks

Justin threw his head back with a loud laugh. “Maybe it was a pity fuck, my friend.”

“Hell, it was.”

“Ohh. So, it is serious?”

I jammed my hands in my front pockets. “I don’t know. Why the hell are we gossiping?” Then again, I was talking to Justin. He was the orchard gossip, no matter what he wanted to believe.

And talking about Lennon with him was downright dangerous.

Unless I wanted everyone to know we were...whateverwe were.

Andan itemjust sounded stupid.

Justin rocked back on his heels. “Don’t fuck with her, man.” The humor was gone. “She’s one of ours.”

“I know it. Don’t think I’ll be the one doing the hurting.”

Justin whistled, long and low. “Lennon isn’t an easy one to get to know. Black cat to the max.”

“Black cat?” I frowned.

“Solitary, wary, helluva set of claws.”

Automatically, I lifted my hand to touch the back of my neck.

Justin grinned. “Claws—check.”

“Fuck you.” But there was no heat in the words. “Raincheck on the pool. Beckett will kick my ass with those ancient shingles tomorrow.”

“Yeah, you’re probably right.” Justin tapped the brim of his hat. “See you at six.”

I groaned.

Justin snickered as he stopped at his beast of a truck and climbed in.

The drive back to the orchard was short and seeing her Jeep sitting outside waiting for me left me even more restless. My outside lights were solar and while her Jeep was in shadow, it was damn obvious that her tires were flat as hell.

Annoyed, I pulled out my phone and snapped a picture, then I texted it to Justin.

Justin:

Fuuuuck. That’s gonna cost you, friend.

Yeah, yeah. Just get that Tommy guy to pick it up tomorrow morning.

Justin:

On it.

I let myself in and the room felt too damn quiet.

It was gonna be a long night.

Chapter 15

Lennon

You Want Me To Score Him?