Page 32 of Heart of Stone
“Hey, we’re just looking out for Street,” Colt said. “Just in case you’re stupid enough to let her walk away.”
I pulled my eyes from Amy, proving Slade’s earlier point, and raised an angry brow at Colt. “You must have strapped on your steel balls tonight, eh little brother?”
“Sure did. Someone’s got to stop you from being your own worst enemy.”
I sucked down the rest of the beer in my glass. “Think I’ll wait outside. You guys are exceptionally irritating tonight, which says a lot because both of you are like that itch you get on the bottom of your foot when you’re wearing a boot. The one that can’t be scratched no matter how hard you try to get rid of it.”
“You just stomp your foot really hard,” Slade suggested, and gave a demonstration with his own foot.
“Stomping the annoying itch—” I nodded. “First smart thing you’ve said all night.” I slipped out of the booth and headed across the bar.
Amy glanced up from her task of stacking clean glasses. “Where are you going?”
“Just need a smoke and a breather from Tweedle dumb and Tweedle dumber, over there.”
Her musical and perfect laugh followed me out the door.
With the exception of an unfamiliar, lifted jeep parked next to the retaining wall at the far corner, the parking lot was down to my bike, Amy’s car and Colt’s truck. A small red glow, most likely the end of a joint, was making its way around inside the jeep, indicating there were at least four people inside. I hadn’t paid that much attention to other customers tonight, but it seemed there had been only a handful of out-of-towners.
I stood next to my bike and pulled out a cigarette. I covered the flame with my hand as I lit the end and took a drag. It was the first one I’d had all day, and it tasted smooth and inviting. It was a hard habit to give up, but I was close. It was only when shit really got to me that I needed to light up. Colt and Slade and their annoying fucking opinions had gotten to me only because I knew there was plentyof truth in what they said.
Jack flipped over the open sign, and I heard the lock on the door spin. I stood by my bike and enjoyed the cigarette while the jeep people enjoyed whatever the hell it was they were smoking. It was unusual to see someone hang around the lot after closing.
Amy’s laugh pulled my attention to the door. The four of them walked out.
“Hey, we’re going to stop off and get some of that cookie dough that you just scoop and bake so we can munch and watch some movies at our house,” Slade said as they walked past. “You coming or do you have other plans?”
I looked over at Amy. “You should come back with us,” she said.
“Yeah, all right. But only if these two dorks don’t talk to me.”
Colt held out his arms. “What? Then you’re taking away our entertainment.”
“Those are my terms.” I walked over to the trash and tossed in my cigarette. Slade, Colt and Jade climbed into Colt’s truck. I walked Amy to her car.
She peered up at me. “You don’t have to come with us. I mean if you have plans . . .”
I reached up and tucked a stray strand of her copper hair behind her ear. “No plans. I’ll be right behind you.” I kissed her forehead and headed back to my bike. From the corner of my eye I saw Colt’s truck leave the parking lot. In the distance I heard the jeep fire up. I stopped to pull the keys out of my pocket. Headlights swept around and glanced off the tinted windows of the bar. Tires shrieked behind me.
“Hunter, watch out!” Amy screamed.
I spun around. Amy had jumped back out of her car. The jeep was racing toward me. I caught a glimpse of the driver as I flew out of its path. My shoulder took most of the impact as I dropped and rolled across the pavement. The sound of metal being twisted and broken filled the night air.
“Amy get in the car!” I yelled as I jumped to my feet in case they circled around. Dust kicked up as their tires skidded over the rough asphalt heading to the exit. Apparently, the sore losers from the poker game were satisfied that they’d gotten their revenge.
I couldn’t bring myself to look at my bike. Rage seethed through me and I tore after the jeep. I lunged forward and grabbed the bumper but the driver gunned it. They flew toward the road but screeched to a halt as Colt’s truck pulled up to block them.
“Stay in the truck,” I heard Colt say to Jade as he and Slade jumped out. Slade had a tire iron in his hand. He was smacking it against his opposite palm. I raced up the passenger’s side and yanked open the door before the guy could lock it. It was the guy I’d nailed with my fist until Fletch stopped me.
I reached in, grabbed his shirt and dragged him from the car. Slade was doing a nice number on the jeep with the tire iron, and Colt had the driver face down in the dirt.
The guy in my grasp swung wildly at me, hitting me once on the shoulder.
“Shit, did I do that to your nose, or was it always that fucking crooked?” I pulled my fist back. “Let’s see if I can fix it.”
He shut his eyes and braced for the pain. I swung my fist into his stomach instead. As he doubled over in agony, an arm reached around and put me in a stranglehold. They’d been keeping their bigger friends in the backseat. I grabbed the guy’s arm and heard a switchblade flick open right next to my ear.
“You asshole,” Amy’s voice came from behind. The guy was thrown off balance as my little wildcat jumped on his back puttinghimin a stranglehold with both her arms. I freed myself. He managed to swipe my shoulder with the blade just as I kicked his knee. He yelled out and stumbled forward. Amy spilled off his back. I caught her before she dropped to the ground.
