Page 128 of Shade
I smile, too, and then take my sunglasses back she’s had most of the night. I never let anyone wear them so I have no idea why I’ve been letting her. “Sure, I’ll make you one.”
Scarlet moves from her place at the bar, to behind it with me. “What are you going to make me?”
Our shoulders touch. “Heartbreaker.”
She snorts. “How fitting.”
I show her how to make the drink, and then a few others.
“Why is this hot shot making you work, honey?” one of the motocross shits asks Scarlet.
I down a shot she places in front of me. I don’t say anything. I’m waiting for her reply.
Scarlet’s eyes dart from mine to the guy. I know him. His name is Brian, and he’s a complete tool. “I work for him, actually. He was just showing me a few drinks.”
Do you see the way my eyes flicker to his? Do you see the nameless emotion in hers?
“What do you want, man?” I’m not the jealous type. Okay, partially a lie. “You wanting a drink?”
He has one in his hand so I know that’s not the case. I know what Brian wants from Scarlet, but I’m curious if he has the balls to ask her, considering this is my house, and this girl is standing next to me.
He says nothing to me, but strikes up a conversation with Scarlet about the Band-Aids. “What happened to you?”
I down yet another shot of whatever is in front of me as Scarlet inspects her arms and leg with the Band-Aids covering them. “Oh, those. I kissed a cactus.”
“Ah, honey, I can think of something a lot softer for you to kiss.”
I slam my shot glass. “Get the fuck out of here.”
“What?” Brian laughs, clearly caught off guard.
Do you see the way my jaw flexes and my eyebrows raise, a smile gracing my lips, but it’s certainly not from amusement, is it?
“You heard me.” There’s absolutely no humor in my tone this time. “Leave.”
Brian snorts and brings his drink to his lips. “Yeah, right man. Roan invited me.”
“Well I don’t see Roan, and this is my house too. So I say you get the fuck on and leave.” I place both hands on the bar, my fingers gripping the edges of the worn wood. “You’d best get out before I show you what a mouth full of my fist tastes like.”
Too much? I don’t think so. Look at Scarlet for me. Is she impressed or scared?
Brian raises an eyebrow. “Seriously?”
Is he that dumb?
“Fuckin’ right, I’m serious.” I wave toward the sliding glass doors. “Get out.”
Reluctantly, Brian leaves, and Scarlet’s staring at me like I’ve grown another head. If only she realized I’m thinking with the other one tonight.
She presses her lips together, then cracks a smile. “Do you have anger issues?”
“Sometimes.” I shrug and then notice another group of guys coming outside and smile at the one I know. “Hey, Ryder.”
He comes over to me, and his friends move toward Tiller and Auden over by the pool now.
Ryder Christensen is actually a dirt car racer. Mostly USAC (United States Auto Club). I met him at the Playboy Mansion prior to the X Games two years ago, and the dude’s a pretty cool role model if you ask me. Just plain nuttier than hell, he’s crazy enough to try anything we say on a dirt bike, though he comes from racing cars, and I dig that.
I introduce him to Scarlet, hand him drink after drink and before long, we’re back on the motocross track. That’s when I see the kid who came in with him is on my bike. I usually don’t care who rides my bikes. The ones I have at the house. My race bike is a different story. I won’t even let anyone else sit on it.
