Page 129 of Haunted

“So where is everyone this evening?”

“Paul took ’em to Montana Days, up at the Pony Bar. Rich Little Eagle’s doing his thing again, talking about First Nation music, and tellin’ a lot of stories. They should be back any minute. It was over by nine.”

“Why didn’t you go too?”

Butch had seen Rich’s act a dozen times. The truth was, he wasn’t in the mood. He’d seen a tee online that summed up his present mood perfectly.

I don’t want to people.

Teague reached into his jeans pocket and handed him a scrap of folded paper. Butch opened it.

“If this is your phone number, I already got it. And if you wanna ask me on a date, I ain’t cheap.”

Teague laughed his ass off. “It’s not my number, you dick. It’s Sol’s.”

What the fuck?

“Then why’re you giving it to me?”

“He meant to give it to you before he left. He gave it to Toby.”

“Oh. Okay.” Butch pocketed it.

Why would he do this? Does he want us to stay in touch?

“I’m glad you two got along. I wasn’t sure when he first arrived. The air was a little frosty, to tell the truth.”

“Yeah, we got past that part. Sol’s an okay guy.”

With a wicked mouth.Shivers ran through him at the thought of where that mouth had been.

Teague snorted. “I’ll be sure to share that glowing praise when I see him next.”

“You planning a visit to San Francisco?”

“Won’t need to.” Teague grinned. “He’s coming back.”

Jesus. Butch’s heart pounded like he was a teenager all over again. “Really? When?” He did his best to rein in his enthusiasm. The last thing he wanted was anyone getting the wrong idea.

Only, it was the right idea, wasn’t it?

Teague’s eyes glittered, and Butch knew his attempt at nonchalance had been an epic fail.

“That brightened your day, didn’t it?”

Butch schooled his features. “What do you mean?”

“S’okay. You don’t have to pretend around me, y’know.”

He didn’t trust himself to speak.

Teague smiled. “You like the guy. I do too. Well, now you get to spend time around him—if you can drag him away from all the other guys in leather.”

Maybe Butch’s mind was stuck in neutral, because it took several long seconds for Teague’s words to register.

“He… He’s coming toDeliverance?”

“Yup. He’ll be here when it opens. And Toby says we can expect another single guy, and a few couples.” His lips twitched. “There are going to be a few interesting permutations around here.”

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