Page 95 of Chips & Checks
Chapter Twenty-Four
Bowen
Camden, Viktor, Tristan, Lenyx, Owen, and most of the rest of the team are hanging around the wall of Venom memorabilia.
“Hey.” I tuck my hands into my pockets and look at each of them in turn. My eyes linger on Lenyx. We haven’t spent much time together, especially not one-on-one. If I’m going to give this thing with Violet a real chance, I should change that. At the very least, learn his coffee order and bribe him to like me.
“Hey, yourself.” Viktor raises his beer. “Did you sort things out with yourgirlfriend?”
“Sure did. But I wanted to thank you before we head out. You really came through for me in the front office. Thank you for having my back.”
“Yeah, about that…” Knight exchanges a glance with Camden. “So are you staying, or are we all leaving? I will pack my bags right now. I’m halfway to drunk and fully unemployed in my soul.”
Knova does a double-take. Her head whips between Viktor and her brother. “Hold on. You guys are moving? I hope you know I’m keeping the condo. And the cat.”
Viktor sticks out his bottom lip and flutters his lashes. “Baby, you wouldn’t pack up and move for me?”
She flicks his shoulder. “Hell no. I get to give people rides in helicopters. I’m not ready to give up that perk—or the high ground.”
Viktor slings an arm around her waist. “If you come with me, I’ll give you a ride on my—”
Knova presses a finger to his lips. “Stop right now, or it’ll be a while before I ride again.”
Tristan chokes on his beer. “Jesus, can we not?”
“Nobody’s moving, anyway. Chad’s gone.” I give them a lazy salute. “See you at morning skate.”
I know there will be some kind of official press statement from the Venom. The video’s probably already on a second loop through the media cycle, the comment sections split between rage and thirst. But for now? I want to think about this—my team, the girl waiting for me on the other side of the bar, and the fact that for the first time in my career, I don’t feel like I’m skating uphill alone.
Viktor cheers. “Good news, baby! We get to stay.”
“I was already staying,” Knova deadpans. “You’re cute, though.”
Camden gives Viktor the filthiest side-eye known to man. “I can’t believe you asked about Bowen’s love life before you asked about our literal jobs.”
Viktor doesn’t miss a beat. Aims finger guns at him. “Priorities, my dude. Also? Grady told Viv, and she texted me. I’ve known for like an hour.”
Knight whips his head around. “Wait, you already knew? And you didn’t think it was important to mention that I could, I don’t know, keep my apartment and my wife and the jewelry shop she probably loves more than me?”
“Bro.” Viktor sips his beer and shrugs. “I didn’t want to ruin the drama. Plus, I needed a good cry. You and Sofia hit me right in the feels.”
Before things can go full Bravo reunion special, I make my exit. I head back to Violet, who’s posted up near the jukebox looking so good it should be criminal.
I take her hand in mine. “Let’s go home,” I tell her.
She presses herself into my side and gives me the kind of look that should come with a rating and a warning label. “Your place or mine?”
My smile? Pure sin. “Yours has snacks. Mine has rope.”
She hums. “Decisions. Decisions.”
I lean down to whisper in her ear, “There’s really only one right decision here.”
* * *
Violet whimpers as I work my fingers into her, slow and deep, curling just enough to make her hips twitch. “Bowen, please. I want you.”
“You’ve got me, baby,” I murmur, voice low and steady. My mouth lingers on her clit, tongue circling soft then firm, teasing her until she shakes. “You’ve had me.”
