Page 35 of Redemption

Max shot a nervous look over his shoulder before nodding. I didn’t get the usual charming smile from him, and as he got our drinks ready and lined them up on the bar, he continued to glance over his shoulder.

“Busy tonight?” I asked, looking around.

He nodded but didn’t say anything.

“More so than usual?” I tried again. Max was cute, it wouldn’t hurt to try my flirting skills on him. Apparently, those skills were rusty as he just nodded again.

“How much?” I asked when he pushed them towards us and I distributed them to the girls.

“On the house,” he shouted back.

I cocked my head. “How come?”

He gave me a small smile and rubbed the back of his neck, looking sheepish. “You’ll see.”

I was confused but I didn’t question it. Free alcohol was exactly what I needed right now. I really shouldn’t be out spending money, what had I been thinking?

Jesus, lighten up!

I rolled my shoulders and lifted my shot, the girls did the same. “To fun!” I shouted and threw my drink back. The girls cheered and copied me. We all gasped and choked as the burn hit our throats at the same time.

“Woo!” Maddy cheered.

“Again!” Daisy demanded and before I knew it, wewere three rounds down of Fireball before we switched into other drinks.

Maddy slammed her last glass down on the bar. “We’re having SO MUCH FUN!” she shouted, staring meaningfully down at the huddle of bunnies around Leo.

“Really? Desperate much?” August snorted and we all turned to her surprised. I forgot that when she’d had a few drinks she was a completely different person, so confident and vocal compared to her normal shy self.

“Let’s dance!” I yelled over the music, dragging them away from the view of bunnies and Duke. Pistol Annies were singing about a sin they felt coming on and my hips were swinging before I knew it. I glanced around, the buzz of alcohol warming and mellowing me, just the way I needed and a smile bloomed.

As I danced I became aware of lots of eyes on us, flicking between us and the bar and the atmosphere seemed to cool.

“What’s everyone’s problem?” August said loudly and Daisy snickered at our quietest sister’s rudeness.

“I don’t know but they need to stop,” I replied.

Then I saw the exact reason why.

Right then, he appeared, in a plain black t-shirt that hugged those muscles I’d discussed earlier with Gertie. His brown hair flopped forward on his forehead and his stubbled beard had my insides twisting.

We all saw him at the same time but this time it wasn’t me who threw myself at him.

“Son of a—” Daisy screeched right before she launched herself across the bar.

CHAPTER TWELVE

Jack

This could work out.

That was the thought I had right before Daisy Cartwright pummeled into me, her slight weight knocking me backwards. My arms landed on the oak bar top, bottles crashing together. I was trying to keep myself upright as her tiny rage-filled fists beat my chest.

“Easy, Feisty Pants,” a man said, tugging her off me.

“Put me down, Duke, I’m warning you!” she snarled, wriggling herself out of his grasp and shoving him off her, huffing her hair out of her face.

“Just trying to help, Buttercup,” the guy said, holding his hands up in surrender.

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