Page 40 of One Touch

Duke looked him over as we started drawing the attention of a crowd. “It better not be. If I find out that you’re up to something or messing with our land, we are going to have issues. Filling my truck with balloons or towing Royal’s car across town is one thing, but messing with a family’s livelihood is low. Even for a King.” Duke spit their last name like it tasted foul in his mouth.

“Why don’t you back the fuck up?” Royal King stepped between Duke and JP.

My fist clenched. I was ready to pop someone in the jaw if it came down to it. The town may be divided, but my loyalties were firmly planted in Sullivan territory.

Ever since I was a kid, the Kings had been known to be dangerous. Reckless. The fact that they had more money than God gave them a sense they ran this town, when in reality it pissed them off that the Sullivans were the backbone of Outtatowner.

“Hey, guys, seriously?” Lark stepped next to the men, seemingly unafraid of the crackling tension. I looked at Wyatt, who stood with his arms crossed and a smug, self-satisfied look on his face.

Apparently he thinks Lark can handle it.

She looked at Royal. “Come on. I thought we came to an understanding.”

Duke’s eyes flashed to Wyatt and then to Lark. “What the hell is that supposed to mean?”

Royal smirked, and it should’ve been enough for him to earn that fist to the jaw. “Don’t worry about it. That’s between me and Lark.”

Wyatt barked a laugh, and Lark rolled her eyes. “Stop stirring shit, Royal.” She focused on Duke. “When a few of Wyatt’s players got into trouble, he talked to Lucian and asked him not to press charges.That was it.Nothing more happened, and you all know it.” She pointed her finger and chastised the group of adult men with a single look.

JP lifted his chin. “I told you before, Duke. Wasn’t any of us.”

Duke looked the small group over once more and spat on the ground. “It better not be.”

He looked at me and tipped his chin. “Come on, let’s go.”

I pinned Katie with a glare as she stared wide eyed from the sidelines. I didn’t want to make a scene, but she damn sure wasn’t staying near the Kings with the tensions between the families at an all-time high. Annie looped her arm around Kate’s and pulled her with us as we all walked back toward the pier.

Jutting out into Lake Michigan was a restored lighthouse that served as the backdrop for Outtatowner and a popular tourist spot for pictures and fishermen. The marina stretched along the pier, and tucked into an artificial alcove was a small stage. A local band was deep into a set of country classics, and a local brewery owned by the Kings sold drinks.

“All right.” Lark sighed. “If you boys are done comparing dick sizes, I want to dance.”

In agreement, the women walked together toward the makeshift dance floor. Lee brought over a round of drinks, and I gazed into a lukewarm beer, trying not to stare as Kate’s cheers and poorly sung lyrics floated above the crowd.

After a few songs a blonde stepped up next to me. She tapped her hand against the outside of her thigh in time to the beat. I looked over at her and caught her eye.

Her grin widened. “I like this song.”

“Yeah, it’s a good one.”

She nodded toward the dance floor. “Would you like to dance?”

My back tightened. “No, thanks,” I grumbled. “I’m content here, just holding up this table.”

She laughed at my shitty joke and nodded. “Well, if you change your mind, I’ll be just over there.” She pointed toward a nearby table and a group of women who pretended to not be taking in our conversation.

When she was out of earshot, Duke knocked me on the shoulder with his fist. “Hell is wrong with you, dude?”

I shot a quick glance toward his sister but lowered my eyes to my drink before taking a healthy gulp. “I don’t know, man. Just don’t feel like dancing.”

Duke looked back over at the group of women. “Well, I don’t recognize them. So if you want your chance, tonight is probably all you’ve got.”

My thoughts ran back to Declan’s comment about easy women and vacation towns. Whether it was a tourist or a townie, I wasn’t interested in being that kind of man.

“What about you?” I asked.

Duke only scoffed and drank another sip of his beer. “No, man. That ship has sailed.”

As close as we’d become over the years, we’d never really talked deeply about our relationships. We both seemed content in our solitude, and besides the occasional short-term relationship or weekend fling, we never really talked about women.

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