Page 6 of Hard as Stone
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POPPY
“You think Dad will notice if we put in for overtime?” I survey the balls on the table while I decide on my next shot. “Because we didn’t get paid as much as I thought we would this month, and I’m pretty sure kicking your ass at pool counts as work.”
Hugo snorts, leaning on his pool cue. “In your dreams, little sister. Dad paid us the same as always. Besides, I’m just warming up.”
“Uh-huh,” I drawl, quickly lining up and sinking my last two balls with a smirk in my brother’s direction. “That’s what you said three games ago.”
I straighten up, openly chuckling at Hugo’s groan over his impending defeat. “Face it, big brother. You’re about as good at pool as you are at fixing sewage pipes.”
“Low blow, Poppy,” he grumbles, but I can see the smile tugging at his lips.
“Speaking of low,” Felix says from where he’s nursing his beer at the high-top. “You think Dad might pay us overtime or hazard pay when that money from Summit comes in?”
I laugh, leaning my cue against the table. “Hazard pay? For what, having to look at your ugly mug all day?”
Felix clutches his chest in mock offense. “Hey now, this face is a gift to womankind.”
“Yeah, the kind of gift they return,” Hugo quips, dodging the peanut Felix chucks at his head.
“I’m serious!” Felix says. “We all know the contract we got for this town is huge. And I agree with Poppy that this month’s pay was lighter than I expected. It’s only fair if we all get our fair share.”
I focus on caulking my cue. “You know Dad, Felix. He’s not exactly Mr. Generous when it comes to bonuses. I guess if we’re lucky, he’ll spring for a pizza party when this is all over.”
“I’d rather the cash in the bank,” Felix grumbles.
No matter what town we’re working in, our monthly pool night after payday is normally sacred. No work talk allowed. But after everything we’ve dealt with since arriving in Stoneheart—paperwork and permit issues, broken pipes and angry bikers—we’re all feeling a little grumbly and need to blow off steam.
“Forget the money,” Hugo says, draining the last of his beer. “Dad says he’s saving for our future, so we should trust him. We’re all fine, right? So, let’s just focus on the game. And more importantly, it’s Poppy’s turn to buy a round.”
“Nope. Loser buys, and I haven’t lost yet.” I lean over the table and draw back my cue, focused on making it four out of fourwhen the hairs on the back of my neck stand up, a tingling awareness prickling along my skin. Before I can process why, a deep, gravelly voice hits me like a physical touch.
“You’ve got to be shitting me.”
I glance up to find Axel—my favorite grumpy biker slash newfound frenemy and possible late-night fantasy—standing at the edge of the pool area, his expression caught between frustration and a darkness that makes my pulse jump.
Without his helmet and bike, I finally get a full, unobstructed look at him—ash-brown hair that’s just a little too long to be considered short, a full beard that’s rugged but not scraggly, and eyes that are a haunting shade of gray. His leather jacket, the one with the Stoneheart MC patch, is unzipped, revealing a cut over a black T-shirt. And he’s tall. Way taller than I am. Big feet and hands…
“Well, well. Look who finally followed the yellow signs,” I say, my eyes still on his as my muscle memory takes over. I take my shot, the cue connecting with its target, followed by the satisfying crack of the eight ball dropping into the corner pocket.
His jaw tightens, but I catch a flicker of amusement in his eyes. “Seems like I can’t escape you, no matter which way I turn.”
I straighten slowly, propping my cue against the table and meeting Axel’s gaze. I’m not exactly shocked to see him here. I’ve driven past this place dozens of times over the last month, watching the parade of bikes come and go, wondering if my, I meanthe,Road Captain was inside. I’d been steering clear of this place out of respect for my dad’s warnings about the MC. But after all our run-ins at various roadblocks around town (I swear Axel’s been finding excuses to take detours just to see me),I figured it was time to see if this tension between Axel and me exists somewhere besides on the road. My brothers had wanted to try out a newer bar on the east side of town, but I’d convinced them it had to be here. We wouldn’t fit in anywhere fancy with all that dirt and grease that finds its way into every crack and crevice of our hands…
“Maybe it’s fate,” I tease, unable to resist poking the bear. “Or maybe you’re just stalking me. Should I be flattered or concerned?”
He snorts, taking a step closer. “Trust me, sweetheart, if I was stalking you, you’d know it.”
I force myself to maintain my bravado, even as my heart races. “Ooh, is that a threat or a promise?” I cock my hip against the pool table.
“Poppy,” Hugo warns from behind me, his voice low. I can practically feel the tension radiating off my brothers.
Axel’s gaze flicks to them briefly before returning to me.
“Relax, boys,” I say, without taking my eyes off the biker. “Mr. Tall, Dark and Broody here is harmless. Aren’t you, sugar?”
Axel’s lips twitch, almost like he’s fighting a smile. “You sure about that?”
