Page 59 of Total Shutdown

Jon Morgan might not be Jack’s blood dad, but I see all the qualities in him that Jon had as captain of the Scorpions for so many seasons. He’d make a better captain than I ever have.

Jack’s also got his personal shit together. Unlike me.

As I walk farther into the bar, my eyes are scanning for Collins—from the seating areas to the hallway leading to the restrooms—though I come up empty.

“Hey! Is anyone going to serve me?!”

There’s only one pink-haired girl that voice belongs to. I turn in a circle as I reach the ropes cordoning off the private area.

Standing at the far end of the bar with her arm extended in the air, my girl in black competes for the attention of anyone who will serve her.

“You know there’s a private bar we can use, right?” I say on my approach, voice filled with flirtation and my body thrumming with a sensation I only feel when she’s around. Its intensity tonight is off the charts as I take in her black ankle-cropped leggings and Guns N’ Roses T-shirt. It’s long and faded, and the way she tied it to just above her navel has me fighting to keep my eyes focused on her face.

Exasperated, she drops her arm to the bar top and rocks back on her heels, casting me a quick glance I know is designed to mask her interest in me.

Too bad for her, the flush in her cheeks tells me otherwise.

“I wanted a mojito. Jensen Jones’s wife, Kate, is here with Jon’s wife, Felicity. She told me they were top-tier, but the private bar is out of every ingredient, so I came to get one here.” She waves her hand around again, sighing defeatedly.

I step a little closer, the need to flirt all-consuming. “You’re telling me, a girl like you—the big explorer—has never had a mojito?”

She turns to me, looking grouchy, the pink staining her cheeks just as prominent. “No, Sawyer, I haven’t. Ordinarily, I don’t drink a lot, but tonight, I felt like alcohol was needed.”

I lean against the bar, my body blocking her exit. It isn’t deliberate, but the fact that she can’t escape kicks my heart rate a little higher.

“Want to talk about what’s got you all worked up?”

She bites the inside of her cheek, eyes dropping briefly to the floor and then coming back up to me. Pools of deep brown silencing everything around us. “Sometimes, you just need to let it all go.”

I pinch my brows together, confused. “Relinquishing a little control?”

This time, Collins edges closer, though I can’t be sure why. “I’m just wired on thoughts, Sawyer. I need to relax.”

Not taking my eyes off her, I raise my arm, and a few seconds later, a bartender approaches.

She rolls her eyes in response, and a single chuckle radiates from my chest.

“What can I get you?” the bartender asks, looking between us both.

I couldn’t give two fucks who sees us in public together at this point. If someone else takes photos and Ezra catches wind, then I won’t avoid telling him. I’ll be up front because, right now, I have very few alternatives. I believe that what I have with Collins is special. And I’m sure me going after her is what Ezra wants too.

“Can I get a Diet Coke and two mojitos? Thanks,” I ask.

The bartender nods once and disappears.

“Wait. Two?” Collins asks, the scent of her breath urging me to cover her mouth with mine.

I grin like a fucking idiot.I never smile this much.“You wanted to relax, no?”

She shrugs and then laughs, knowing how much that riles me up.

“Alyssa called me and said I have a very hyper twelve-year-old at home. Won’t go to sleep. Allegedly, he’s on a sugar kick, courtesy of a jelly bean overdose.”

She snorts a laugh as two mojitos and a Coke are set down in front of us, and I hand the bartender cash, instructing him to keep the change.

I pick up one of the cocktails and mix the mint leaves around with the single black straw, offering it to her.

Collins takes it from me and wraps her lips around the straw, holding me captive with her eyes.

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