Page 11 of Coty

“You fine being a bartender short?” I don’t care if he isn’t fine with it.

“What? No.” Kayla scrambles off the stool and pushes between Bankz and me. “I’m working. I’m not leaving.”

Jack narrows his eyes and takes a couple of steps forward. I press my hand against his chest and shake my head. He dips his chin once before looking down at Kayla.

“You will climb your little self into my truck, or I’ll toss you over my shoulder and put you there.” He points to the TV screen. “Lily’s trying to get a ride to town. She wants her friend. Thankfully, nobody at the Den is stupid enough to bring her here. Now, before my ole’ lady does something crazy, you’re going to her.”

Lily’s on the screen pleading with Kayla. Her hands are folded like someone praying. She’s saying please even though we still can’t hear her. She’s smart and resourceful. Surprisingly, she hasn’t stolen someone’s car to get here since everyone refused to bring her. Of course, even if she managed to steal one, Ross wouldn’t let her through the gate. Lily’s still healing from a collapsed lung from when she was shot a few weeks ago.

Kayla closes her eyes and takes a deep breath through her nose, lifting her shoulders. She and Emily are Lily’s closest friends. Kayla would do anything for Lily. She won’t risk her health. We all know Lily won’t give up trying to get to her friend. Kayla opens her eyes and looks up at Lily. The two ladies smile and blow each other a kiss.

Kayla looks between Jack and me. “Fine, but somebody is making up for my lost wages for the next two hours.”

“Don’t worry, short stuff. You’ll still get your holiday bonus.” Bankz pats her on the head and goes behind the bar.

“And my tips?” Kayla looks Jack in the eye, not backing down.

“How much do you make in an hour?” Jack asks.

“$200.”

“What?” Jack’s eyes almost pop out of his head. “That’s a lie.”

“Bankz?” Kayla doesn’t break eye contact with Jack.

“I’m not in it.” Bankz takes the smart way out.

Jack doesn’t look to me for approval. I get it. He’s our future President. He has to lead, even when I don’t like it. “Since it’s a holiday, you’ll get $100 for two hours of bartending at the Den.”

“I’ll lose money,” Kayla snaps.

Jack takes one step forward. “You’ll lose the hundred, too, if you don’t take the offer. Either way, you’re leaving here. Now,” he says the last word hard and with authority.

Emily rushes to her side. “Take it, Kayla. You can have half of my tips.”

“No.” Kayla rapidly shakes her head. “I’ll take Jack’s offer, but you’re keeping your tips.”

Emily fakes a smile with tears in her eyes before hurrying to a table along the front wall. Kayla glances at Hendrix. He dips his chin slightly. If I hadn’t been watching, I’d have missed it. What is that about?

Half of what’s going on tonight isn’t making any sense to me. The other half has my blood boiling. I don’t agree with how Jack is handling this. However, I have no authority to override him. If Kayla were my ole’ lady or if we were dating, things would be different.

Honestly, I believe Jack is going easy on her because he knows I care about her. His ole’ lady is also Kayla’s best friend. His offer isn’t hurting Kayla. It’s a compromise, and it actually helps her. We all know she won’t make $400 in tips in two hours. Makes me wonder what she needs the money for.

“Can I set up a tip jar?” she asks.

“Only if our club President says you can.” Jack motions for Kayla to walk ahead of us to the front door.

“Fine.” She huffs and storms toward the door.

Jack takes one last glance up at Lily. She saysthank you. He winks and follows Kayla.

“Here, man.” Parker hands me Kayla’s jacket—no bag or purse. I rarely see her with one.

At Jack’s truck, I open the back passenger door for her and offer her my hand. She smacks it away.

“I don’t need your help.” She steps onto the running board and flops down on the seat.

Yeah, she’s mad, but I don’t care. I would have handled this differently if it were me. I can’t complain, though. She’ll be at the clubhouse for the rest of the night. Right where she belongs, under my watchful eye.

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