Page 4 of Outcast
“No one has herpes.” Holden glared at Bailey’s smirk. “At least, I sure as hell hope he wraps that thing up. He sticks it every damn where.”
“Except the place he really wants it,” Bailey said.
“What does that mean?” I asked.
Bailey clamped his mouth shut, apparently remembering I was an outsider who didn’t deserve to know their inside jokes.
Holden shook his head. “Why don’t we talk about the plan now that you’re back? The old man ran this place into the ground. I tried to do damage control, but between him cursing out customers while drunk, doing half-assed, shoddy work when our backs were turned, and getting a damn DUI while driving the tow truck, the Forrester name is dogshit.”
“So about the same as always,” I said.
Bailey huffed. “He’s not wrong.”
“Worse than dogshit, then,” Holden said. “I’ve been working the past six months to rebuild our reputation. I’ve joined the Chamber of Commerce, tried my best to attend local business functions, and worked to make connections.”
“That explains the dress shirt,” I said. “But you’ll never be able to hide your rough edges. You’re not like them. None of us are.”
“I’m not a fucking sellout,” Holden said. “I don’t want to belike them.I want to rebuild a viable business here.”
“Why bother? We’d probably all be better off with a clean slate.”
“Youwouldthink that,” Bailey said. “You’re not one of us anymore.”
Ouch. That one burned.
I expected Holden to remind Bailey he’d fucking invited me back, but he didn’t have my back this time. His eyes were cool as he said, “We don’t all run away from our problems, Gray.”
“Oh, fuck you. I didn’t have a choice.”
He raised an eyebrow. “There’s always a choice.”
“Well, not a fucking good one.”
“We can agree on that,” he said, lifting his sandwich to take a big bite. With his cheek still bulging, he added, “Now, as I was saying, there’s work to do, and your ass is helping me do it.”
“So, I see you’re still bossy as hell,” I muttered.
Bailey smirked. “I guess maybe you do know a few things.”
I cast him a look. “More than a few, Squirt.”
“Oh, hell no, don’t eventhinkof resurrecting that nickname. I will kick your ass.”
I grinned. “I’d like to see you try.”
“Axel will help. Sugar too. You won’t stand a chance. If it’s us against you,youlose.”
I held up my hands. “All right, kid. Take it easy. I get it. I’m in the doghouse for leaving.”
“The doghouse? Nah. We love dogs. You’re out in the field somewhere, just hoping we’ll take you in like a stray. Because that’s what you are now.” Bailey balled up his sandwich wrapper and tossed it in the nearby trash can. “I got work to do. Just do whatever you want, Holden. You always do.”
“Bailey,” Holden snapped. “Don’t be a brat.”
Bailey ignored him, crossing the garage to join Jose in front of a nineties-model Oldsmobile Buick station wagon.
“So, nothing’s really changed, then. You’re bossy, Axel’s rebellious, and Bailey’s bratty.”
Holden tried to glare, but he couldn’t keep it up long. A grin overtook his face, and then a full-on laugh snuck out. “Damn, man, I want to tell you off, but you’re not wrong. Not even a little.”
