Page 43 of Bad Boy Crush

What a loser—and she meant that literally since she fully expected Ant to take home first place.

“Be honest, Xavier.” May pointed at the covered sculpture on the stage. “You peeked under that white sheet, didn’t you?”

Xavier grinned, his navy-blue eyes never leaving May’s browns. “That would be unethical.”

“Doesn’t mean you wouldn’t do it.” May batted her lashes as she fiddled with the straw in her glass.

“Are you saying I’m not an honest man?” Xavier slung a bar towel over one shoulder, held her gaze for a second, and then left to take another drink order.

“I think you’d like to make an honest man out of him,” Lisa said loud enough to be overheard by, well, everyone.

“No. Hot. Men.”

“So, you keep reminding us…while flirting shamelessly with Xavier.” Lisa rolled her eyes.

“No crime in flirting.” Stubborn May inclined her chin.

The bar was packed, loud chatter from patrons competing with the band on stage. Elliott and Brady walked in and Lou waved them over, but they were waylaid by other friends near the door. Donovan and Sofie Pate walked in next. Tall as he was, he was impossible to miss. No sign of the McClains yet, but Lou expected at least Connor to show. He’d been recognized at the event yesterday afternoon for his commitment to planting and growing trees in Evergreen Cove. As Hunter had told her when he gave her the sapling, conservation was important.

Lou had regifted the tree to Sofie before she’d left the mansion on day one of the event. Sofie had promised to pass it on to Connor, saying if anyone could ensure the tree’s survival it was him. Lou’s track record with trees in recent history wasn’t great.

Over the next hour, more people packed into Salty Dog. Xavier saw some relief in the form of two additional bartenders taking his place. May, Lisa, Elli, and Lou gabbed and ordered refills while Ant leaned on the bar and talked to Brady.

At four o’clock, the band took a break, and Xavier grabbed the mic and stood next to the veiled carving.

“The moment you’ve crowded into Salty Dog to experience has arrived, my friends.” Applause and whistles lifted on the air in the bar, which was packed to standing-only and fire-code-breaking full.

“It’s happening.” Lou wiggled in her seat. She knew how important a win was for Ant. He’d die before he admitted it, but he wanted to win. He deserved to win. She reached for his hand. He sent her an It’s all good wink.

“I haven’t seen what’s under here yet, though I have been accused of looking.” Xavier slid his eyes over to May. “I’m ready to know the winner of the chain saw competition, aren’t you?”

Another round of cheers and applause was almost deafening in the tight space. Ant’s arm stiffened against hers.

“A win is imminent,” she promised both of them.

“Anthony!” came a shout followed by an ear-piercing whistle.

“That was Donny,” Ant whispered to Lou.

The low cadence of his voice in her ear sent goosebumps down her arms. She reined in the delicious feeling and focused on the stage. Her heart was pounding. Had she ever been so nervous?

Xavier yanked the sheet from the sculpture and revealed Ant’s howling wolf.

“Fuck me,” Ant muttered.

“Told you!” Lou stood, feet balanced on the rungs of her barstool, and threw her arms around his neck for a congratulatory hug. She was taller than him in this position, so his mouth landed on her neck. His lips grazed over her skin in a soft, distracting kiss. A split second later, he straightened away from her, righted his hat, and dropped her hand.

Lou, with the help of everyone else in the bar, continued to cheer while Ant made his way onto the stage and accepted the microphone. She sneaked a peek over her shoulder at where Hunter had been sitting with his friends. He was tossing money onto the bar as his buddies exited via the side door.

What a baby.

She refocused her attention on the stage, on Ant’s slightly hunched shoulders. He was either unused to or embarrassed by the attention, but no way would his friends let him humble his way out of this win. He’d earned it.

He lifted the microphone to his lips, rimmed by a day’s growth. His dark eyes twinkled. His smile shook. Lou was insanely proud of him. He took a long look at the carving next to him and then turned to Xavier. “You know you have to display this at Salty Dog forever, right?”

That was both the beginning and end of Ant’s speech. He handed the mic back to Xavier and then they embraced in a manly back-slapping hug. Ant stepped off the stage.

She was still so pumped from the adrenaline rush, she almost didn’t notice the rumble that shook the bar’s walls. Then came another low roll of thunder, which froze her in her seat.

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