Page 15 of Loyalty (The Salvation Society)

This time, I laugh as I move closer to him. I have no idea where this confidence is coming from, but I’m proud of myself. “I don’t give a shit what you do, who you do it with, or where, Kegan. I care that this teeny tiny area is mine and you’re in it. I care that tomorrow I will be writing a retraction, to whatever it is that is printed about you, because you walk around like you’re a fucking king, when in reality, you are the damn jester. You think because you have fame and money that you are above everyone else and in some ways, I’m sure you are. But you can have all the fame and fortune you want, and still be a piece of shit because you have no one’s respect, including mine. Now get the hell away from me and my bunk before I decide to let the stories of you run and allow the label to handle you how they see fit.”

I see the muscle tick by his jaw as he grabs the girl’s hand and pulls her into the master bedroom. I smile as the door closes.

You want an enemy, you got it.

The next morning, I get up before everyone and take my time in the bathroom. I take a long shower and even though it’s difficult to move around, I take advantage of my double win. Last night with Kegan, and this morning with getting the bathroom first. Once I finish, I pull on my jeans and a long-sleeved black shirt that hangs off one shoulder. I brush my hair and turn on my blow dryer, just to extend my stay. After my hair is dry, I pull it up into a high ponytail and apply a bit of makeup. Satisfied, I step out and Lane nearly knocks me over rushing in.

“Fuck, longer,” he yells.

I laugh as I put my things back on my bunk. I walk out into the main part of the bus and find Everett and Remi sitting there. Both have on sunglasses, hats sitting low over them, and coffee in their hands.

“Good morning,” I sing.

“Ugh, not so loud,” Remi whines.

I make myself a cup of coffee and sit at the table across from them. “A little hung over, huh?”

“That’s a fucking understatement,” Everett whispers.

I take a sip of my coffee and nearly choke on it. “What the hell is this?” I yell.

“Please, fuck, stop yelling,” Remi groans. “

It’s coffee, very strong coffee.”

“This is fucking tar. I need real coffee; I’m making a new pot.”

I get up and just as my hand touches the pot, a hand wraps around it. “Don’t fucking touch it,” Kegan growls. I snap my head toward him and notice he looks even worse than Remi and Everett. “I need a cup first.”

I yank my hand away and simply nod. Okay, so I finally learned something. They need this disgustingly strong coffee after a night of getting trashed. It’s a start.

After Kegan makes a cup, I pour a mug full for Lane and empty the rest. I brew a fresh pot and sit down at the table to wait.

“Too much whiskey,” Everett says.

“You fucking think,” Kegan replies. He has his sunglasses on too, but no hat and no shirt. No fucking shit. He’s my client. I know that, but holy shit. Having a shirt on does no justice to the amazing body that it is hiding. The muscles are flexing and the tattoos he has are dancing with each flex. I’d be a fool to not admit how damn hot he is. His hair is a mess from either sleep or sex, maybe both.

“Coffee,” Lane moans, coming out finally.

“I poured you a cup,” I say, nodding to the mug.

He looks at me and tilts his head. “Why?”

I laugh as I lean back in my seat. “Because I’m generally a nice person, you guys just won’t give me a chance to show you. Plus, I needed real coffee, not that shit you are going to drink.”

He chuckles and gets to fixing his coffee. Well, at least he didn’t say anything mean. Just then, my phone rings and I see that it’s Jennifer. I look at them, but of course, no one is paying attention to me. Let’s see if I can finally make them.

“Hey, Jennifer, what’s up,” I answer. Oh, look at that, all four heads look my way.

“We have a problem,” she says.

I shake my head looking at each of them and sigh. “I figured we would. What happened?”

“Kegan.” It’s all she says.

I move my eyes to him and lift an eyebrow. “What about him?”

“Well, from what I’m reading, he got drunk, tried fighting someone in the bar, grabbed the hand of the nearest girl, and left. Only that girl has a boyfriend, and he is livid, as you can imagine.”

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