Page 33 of Steel

“Yeah, what can I get you?”

She holds up a wad of soaked napkins. “Towels? The tap’s leaking again.”

I look at the puddle of stout on the floor and sigh. “Sure thing.”

Walking into the back, I grab my hair tie out of my pocket and pull back the waves falling in my face. I’m only an hour into my shift, and I have the feeling it’s going to be a long night.

I glance up at the clock, and it’s Austin’s bedtime, so I hope he isn’t giving Pearl any trouble. He always fought Mom on going to bed, and since he doesn’t know Pearl well, I’m not sure how that’s going to go.

At least he seemed happy to stay with her for the night so I could make it to work. Like Jameson, he instantly trusted her. He helped her cook pancakes and then asked her a hundred questions about her knitting room.

I don’t know what I’m going to do with him once we leave here, but I need to find someone I can trust to watchhim while I’m at work. At least my classes are online, so I can do those at night when he’s sleeping.

This newfound responsibility is heavy inside me. I’m twenty-two, and my entire life just turned upside down.

So long as I can pull my brother through this, I’ll keep it together for both of us.

He hasn’t cried since this morning, and part of me is waiting for the floodgates to open. For the shock to wear off and for him to realize I’m all he has left.

Am I enough?

Can I be?

I’m better for him than my mother was for either of us, but that doesn’t mean I’m prepared for this.

I catch sight of myself in a mirror that hangs in the back room, and there are dark circles around my eyes. I’m wearing zero makeup, and I had to borrow one of Marley’s uniforms since I don’t have any clothes at Jameson’s house. My outfit is skintight because she doesn’t like her Dirty Drakes T-shirt baggy like I do.

Next time I see Jameson, I need to convince him to let me get some of my things from my house. Austin hates sleeping without his Super Bear, and I’m in desperate need of clothes.

Grabbing a stack of towels and napkins, I head back out front and catch sight of the two prospects sitting in the corner of the bar.

Sonny is the opposite of his name, hanging like a dark storm cloud over the room, just like when he was standing outside Jameson’s door at the clubhouse guarding it. I’ve yet to see him smile, and he watcheseverything around him, looking prepared to strike the moment something happens.

Reyes is the opposite, grinning and laughing at something one of the waitresses just said to him. He’s friendly, but a little too much so. I don’t like how his eyes skimmed my bare legs in my uniform or how he’s watching the waitress’s ass as she walks away.

I remind myself that Jameson trusts him—both of them. I have no choice but to do the same, whether I want them here or not.

Circling behind the bar, I meet Marley with the stack of towels and cover the spill on the floor, helping her clean it up.

A few new customers make their way inside, and I catch Sonny discreetly taking a picture of them. He’s been doing that all night. Keeping a lookout and reporting to Jameson.

“That guy’s giving me the creeps,” Marley leans close and whispers, her gaze following mine to Sonny across the room. “Want me to have security kick ’em out? He’s been watching you all night.”

“It’s fine. He’s a…” I chew the inside of my cheek, deciding what sounds the least suspicious. “Friend.”

Her eyebrows pinch. “Since when are you friends with bikers?”

Marley’s worked at Dirty Drakes longer than I have, and she knows I avoid anyone in a cut.

“He’s a family friend.” I wipe the counter, trying to avoid her gaze so she can’t see I’m lying.

“Whatever you say.” Marley pulls her red hair back and starts stacking clean glasses.

“Hey, how was that date the other night?” I change the subject. “It was with that tall guy who was built like a football player, wasn’t it?”

“Yes, and it was so good.” She grins. “He scored all night long. If you know what I mean.”

I shake my head and laugh.

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