Page 34 of Stone Cold Bad
I grabbed my cup of coffee.“You’ve got to be careful coming out here, Street.We’re trying not to draw attention to this place.”
She broke off a piece of pastry and licked her finger.“Too late.You two, it turns out, have already been drawing attention all over town.I mean the town bad boy and heartthrob hanging out with the new, pretty stranger— it’s the stuff for tabloid headlines.Can’t make that shit up.”
“Actually, I think most of those headlines are made up,” Jade noted.The color had returned to her cheeks as she sipped her coffee.
“Shit, do you mean there really isn’t a boy who is half human and half bat?Those pictures were so convincing.”Street shoved another bite of pastry between her lips and drank it down with some coffee.“Anyhow, everyone knows Jade is the girl on the flyer and that she’s hanging with you.But here’s the kicker— Hunter was up the coast at the pool hall.”She rolled her eyes.“He said he was going up there to trash the flyers, but I saw right through his excuse.He’s hot on the trail of a new bartender up there.”She twisted her mouth, and her expression softened.“Asshole,” she muttered under her breath.“Anyhow, he dragged his sorry ass in after midnight.I fell asleep on the couch.”She pointed a finger at me.“But I wasn’t waiting for him, so don’t say a fucking thing, Colt.”
I lifted my hands in surrender.“Didn’t say a damn word.”
She sighed.“My mom’s been talking in her sleep like crazy, and I’m about to go nuts.So, I crashed on the couch.Slade came in right after him, and Hunter was telling him that the asshole you guys keep meeting out on the water was there asking questions about Jade.”
“You mean Ace?”
“Didn’t hear a name.He told Slade ‘the motherfucker who likes to shove his gun at Colt’s head.’I’ve got somewhat of an idea of what youfishermenare doing out there on the water but sounds like you guys need to shift professions.”
Jade was looking at the side of my face, but I didn’t want to talk to her about any of it right now.“He likes to shove his gun at you?”she asked.
I shook my head.“It’s nothing.It’s just how he does things, but I’m more worried about what he’s up to.He wants that reward money, and I’m sure there are plenty of others with the same plan.”
Jade didn’t look too satisfied with my answer, but I wasn’t about to get into details about our drug running business.I was sure it wouldn’t score me points with her.I grabbed up a pastry.“Since I’m out here I’m going to do some patching on the roof so the house is ready for the next rainstorm.I’ll leave you two to your breakfast.”
TWENTY-TWO
JADE
Amy and I watched as Colt walked out the door in his tool belt and work boots.In an impromptu role reversal, women whistling at the construction hottie, we both made impressive attempts at a catcall.Colt stopped in the kitchen doorway and wiggled his ass before walking outside.
The door had barely shut when Amy reached over and took my hand.“Oh my god, I’ve never seen him like this.That boy is smitten, crushing, batshit crazy, whatever the hell you want to call it.How does it feel?”
I picked off a piece of pastry.“How does what feel?”
“To break through that stone exterior.Shit, you’re the first girl to ever do so.Many have tried, believe me.I’ve even had girls become my best friend”—her air quotes followed—“just to get close to Colt.”She sighed and sat back.“Wish I knew your secret.I had that date with Brock, the beer delivery guy.All I could think about was that stupid giant, Hunter.And he’s so fucking rotten to me all the time.”
I pressed my hand over hers.“Amy, when you’re not looking, that man is keeping a close eye on you.Colt told me no other local guys would get near you because they’re afraid of Hunter.That shows how much he cares about you.”
“Yeah, sort of like having the plague.No one will get near me, but at the same time Hunter treats me like an annoying pest most of the time.”
“Then maybe you need to be the ice queen for awhile.Show him that he takes you for granted too much.”
She seemed to be mulling over my words.“I might try that.Brock asked me on a second date, but I haven’t decided.Maybe I’ll give it another chance.”
“Good idea.”
Amy’s phone buzzed, and she pulled it out of her pocket.She groaned with frustration as she answered.“Hey, Mom.”
She rolled her eyes and swirled her finger around by her temple.I felt bad for her having to deal with her mom’s health all by herself.It couldn’t be easy.“No one sprayed poison on the bananas, Mom.Just eat one.You’ll be fine.”Her brows creased together, and she shook her head.“All right.I’ll come home right now and make you a breakfast that hasn’t been tainted by poison.”She put the phone in her pocket.“Good times, huh?I’m living with a crazy woman, and you’ve got a crazy man offering a bounty to find you.But, at least you have Colt.I’ve got no one.”
“That’s not true.You’ve got me, and I love having you as a friend, Amy.”
She reached over and hugged me.“You’re right.Enough of my pity party.I’ve got to go home and save my mom from the tiny green men who are lacing her fruit with cyanide.Now that you have a phone, we can talk anytime.I’ll call you later.”
I walked her out and sat on the small fence surrounding the backyard.Colt was up on the roof with a roll of black paper.Some of the shingles had been removed.They were stacked next to him.
“Where’s Amy heading?”he called down.
“Her mom thought someone put poison in the bananas.”
He shook his head.“Amy has the patience of a fucking saint.”
