Page 102 of Need You Now

Griff tucks his lank blond hair behind his ears. “Now that’s somethin’ I’d like to see.”

“Picture Jace with a mullet and a PBR and you’re golden,” Emmy Lou says, and everyone laughs.

“If we’re gonna do it,” Griff says, his eyes glowing with mischief, “tonight’s the night to drink until we’re seein’ double.”

Alabama laughs. “Oh, you’re gonna be fun later.”

Sal raises her water and smiles. “We should toast.”

To Seth’s surprise, Lacey leads it, her smile a bright beam of happy. “To drinks, to friends, to damn good times that never end.”

Luke’s hoot of agreement echoes off the walls around them.

Seth squeezes Lacey’s hand beneath the table, and she squeezes back.

Everyone nods, lifting their glasses and clinking sides. Laughter rings out, boisterous as shots are downed and more ordered. That’s when Seth sees Luke’s face. He ain’t laughing. Not anymore.

The table suddenly falls quiet.

Seth glances over his shoulder to see what’s soured the mood.

Beau Dallas stands in the doorway, brushing snow off his jean jacket. Seth surveys him. The guy who’s taken his place, who has his brother on edge. He’s tall and lean, with a jet-black pompadour, a fiddle tattooed on his forearm, and in his hands, he carries a fiddle case.

Jace throws a warning glance at Luke. “We still got three weeks left, man.”

Luke takes a bracing breath, turning to Sal, who’s staring up at him. A slight frown mars her brow. She’s confused by her husband’s reaction. Seth gets it. He’s never seen Luke this tense.

Beau heads over, hands outstretched. “Oh, Lawdy,” he crows, evaluating the company. “Looks like a couple of beautiful women and a couple of assholes. Am I right?”

Lacey rolls her eyes.

Luke nods, his expression dark. “Beau.”

Seth hides a smirk. His brother looks like he wants to hunt the guy for sport.

Beau pulls the end seat out between Lacey and Sal but doesn’t sit, instead preferring to stand. From the inside of his jacket pocket, he unveils a beer. Luke and Jace are unfazed but alert, telling Seth this isn’t the first time he’s done this.

“Lemme see, lemme see, lemme see y’all,” Beau drawls, setting his beer on the table. His eyes, his finger swivel to Seth. “You’re Seth? The one who left the band?”

Luke stiffens.

Seth crosses his arms. He’s not giving this asshole a handshake. He keeps his voice cool, casual. “Ain’t exactly like that seein’ as how you’re gone in a couple of weeks, but yeah, I’m Seth.”

Beau shakes off the dig. Either uncaring or unnoticed.

“Hey.” Beau peers at Sal beside him. “This the wife?” His eyes flick to Luke.

“This is Sal,” Luke grits out, wrapping a protective arm around her shoulder.

“’Bout damn time we get to meet!” Beau crows, leaning down on his elbows to survey Sal, whose expression is amused. “How’s your brain, beautiful?”

The entire table tenses.

Luke’s jaw is tight, his eyes dangerous. Every single one of them ready to protect Sal. Her brain, her injury off-limits, especially to nosy assholes like Beau.

Lacey makes a little sound in the back of her throat, clamping down tight on Seth’s hand.

Sal’s eyes widen in surprise at the question, and then she recovers. Smooth as only Sal can do. “My brain is fine. What’s the matter with your mouth?”

---