Page 8 of Bikers & Bars

“Okay,” I agreed, putting my hand in his and letting him help me up. He led me to the bar with a hand on my lower back and I tried not thinking about how good it felt to have him this close, to breathe in his scent of juniper berry and tonka bean.

Hazel did always say that having a pack would make you a sex addict. I was starting to believe her.

But nothing could happen between us. Not tonight.

Talking to Bane and Loki had to happen first before more than a drink happens with Romeo. I might not have a lot of experience with relationships but I did know at least that much.

Romeo ordered our drinks as I watched Hazel and Sienna slip out to go to their packs. Teagan and Valentina were busy chatting up a group of men on the other side of the bar. A spark of worry filled me as I watched my best friend. I couldn’t put my finger on it but something was not quite right as she flirted andlaughed at some joke. Her heart wasn’t in it and I made a mental note to get some alone time with her soon to check in on her.

“You love your friends, don’t you?” Romeo’s voice interrupted my thoughts.

“Of course,” I replied easily, turning to fully focus on him. “They’re the only family I have left.”

“I have Loki, but as I’m sure you’re aware it’s not always the easiest of friendships,” Romeo half shrugged as he sipped his drink. “We constantly just give each other shit and call it bonding.”

“Sounds like my friends and I sometimes.” I chuckled.

That led us into some small talk. I told him about my best friends and random stories of our antics from back in New York and Hazel meeting her pack soon after we got here. Romeo told me about himself and Loki, including the gag gift that Loki had given him when he turned sixteen that Romeo had embraced despite his cousin’s intentions.

“No, you’re lying!” I wheezed, tears running down my face as a grin lit up Romeo’s face.

“Never.” He pressed a hand over his chest as if he was offended by my reaction.

“He gave you a vintage bug—”

“Well, parts of it,” Romeo interrupted me. “It was pretty gutted when I got it.”

“And you decided to keep it and fix it up?”

“I still have her! Best car ever and it irritates Loki every time I bring it to the bar. Best of both worlds.”

“Tell me you have it here!”

“Let me show you,” Romeo offered, pushing away his half-full glass. I fought to get myself together, ignoring my unfinished drink to take Romeo’s hand as he led me through the club.

A cool breeze hit us as soon as we stepped outside, a refreshing feeling after being in the club for a while. Romeodidn’t slow down, tugging me down the street until I saw it. An iridescent-purple vintage bug parked on the street. It was gorgeous.

A hula girl bobble head was on the dashboard along with a pile of hoodies on the front passenger seat. No trash or anything but it was obvious the car was well loved.

“Do I want to know what you named it?” I asked, turning to face Romeo. There was no way this man put this much work into the car without giving it an epic name.

He rubbed the back of his neck and looked sheepish.Oh, this is going to be good. Romeo mumbled something but I couldn’t quite make it out.

“What was that?”

“Beetlejuice,” Romeo’s cheeks flushed as I burst out laughing. “It fits him! Classy, one of a kind, unique!”

“That’s so amazing,” I managed after a few moments, brushing away the tears from my face. It felt so good to be outside, cooling down. I didn’t realize—until now—the amount of boob sweat that had pooled under my girls while I was in the club but now I couldn’t un-feel it. “I’m exhausted.”

“I can give you a ride back,” Romeo offered, tilting his head at his car. “Scout’s honor, it will be just a drive back to the compound and delivered safely into the arms of my cousin.”

“Why do I doubt that you were ever a boy scout?” I deadpanned.

“You can even call and let them know you’re on the way home.”

He stepped around me, opening the passenger door and tossing clothes into the back seat so I had room to sit. I shook my head at him but did as he suggested and texted the group chat with Bane and Loki.

Eliza: Girls night is over. I’ll be home soon. Romeo is giving me a ride back.

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