Page 103 of Need You Now

“Oh my fuckin’ God,” Griff cackles, pounding the table.

Beau’s face reddens, but then he’s turning his attention to his left. To Lacey.

Seth’s teeth clench.

Beau looks like he just struck gold. The guy stares at Lacey. At her breasts. At her lips. He cocks his head. “Why, you’re outstandin’, angel. What’s your name?”

The withering look she gives him could crush an egg. “Lacey.”

“Well, Lacey, how ’bout I get that number of yours in my phone?”

Lacey sniffs. Loudly. “I know I’m cute and I have great skin. But I live in LA. It would never last.”

Beau grins. “Ain’t needin’ it to last. Just need it for a night.”

That’s fuckin’ it.

Seth stands, ready to throw down, but he’s beat by Sal.

Sal slams her drink on the table and everyone jumps. “Hey, Beau,” she says, as icy as Lacey’s ever been. “That’s my sister, and that’s enough.”

Her eyes snap to Luke as if to say she will kill this man dead if he keeps talking.

“Whoa, okay. Easy, beautiful.” Beau draws back, holding up his hands in defense. His eyes drift down. His lips curl up. “You sure you only got one baby in there?”

“Sweet Jesus,” Jace mutters, covering his face with a broad palm.

“Shut the fuck up,” Luke snarls.

Lacey rockets up, crossing over to Sal, Beau’s eyes following her as she walks. “I am taking my sister and we are getting drinks.” She hooks her arm through Sal’s, dragging her out of her seat and across the bar.

“Good idea,” Emmy Lou says, giving Beau a nasty glare before following the girls.

“Get him onstage, shut him up,” Griff says in a low voice to Luke. “Then get him the fuck out of here.”

Luke swallows his beer and stands. “Let’s get this thing goin’.” His eyes land on Seth. “You get up there for the last set.”

At this, Beau scoffs. “Hey, no way. We have a contract.” And then he puts a hand out like he can stop Seth. It’s a bad move. One that has Luke’s face darkening like a storm cloud. His brother’s hard to anger, but when he gets there, he’s gone.

“I don’t give a good goddamn what we have,” Luke snaps, and the table falls silent. Beside Seth, Jace is wincing. Luke’s tone is dangerous, clear he’s done playing nice. “It’s my band, and it’s my brother, and he’s playin’.”

Beau gives a one-shouldered shrug, says nothing, taking it on the chin as he, Luke and Jace make for the stage. But Seth doesn’t miss the look Beau’s giving him. A look that says this ain’t over.

Griff looses a breath. “Kincaid’s scary when he’s pissed off.”

“It’s a real shame,” Alabama says, watching as Beau tunes his fiddle. “Pissin’ all that talent away.”

Seth throws her a lazy smile. “If your first instinct ain’t to shoot the guy, you’re doin’ it wrong.”

Griff laughs. “Hell, if that ain’t the truth.” He scrubs the back of his head. “I don’t remember Beau actin’ like this before.”

“You ever think because you acted just like him?” Alabama ventures gently.

Griff blinks. Seth’s surprised when he nods, his scarred face contemplating his reckless past. A past Beau’s still living. “Maybe. I reckon.”

Alabama slips off her chair, kissing Griff’s cheek. “I’m gonna join the girls.”

Seth leans back on his stool, watching Beau tune his fiddle. His game face on now that he’s onstage.

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