River’s stoic mask breaks, heat flaring in his chocolate eyes at my words.
I smirk but he’s not the only one affected. His eyes warm my back as I walk to the door, goosebumps prickling my skin and heat curling in my core. Yeah... I need to get away from these men.
I rev my bike and speed out of the garage. The visor on my helmet and my leather jacket protect me from the cold, but I still feel the wind whipping over me. It’s like I’m flying.
Normally, a ride on my bike would be enough to settle my mind but today has left me frazzled to the extreme. I can’t bring myself to go home yet. After I read the note, I don’t want to be alone with my thoughts.
I take a sharp right and head to Mozzy’s. It’s the bar Luke and I hit when we want to avoid the overcrowded cop bar. I wedge my helmet under my arm as I walk inside and message Luke to see if he’s up for a drink.
He sends a message back with the eggplant emoji and a question mark.
I roll my eyes but scan the stone brick walled room for the sort of guys Luke likes. Mozzy’s is a queer friendly spot so there’s a good chance at least half of them are into guys. The place is fairly busy tonight with groups of people spread out on the old brown sofas over by the LGBTQ+ flag on the back wall. An old-fashioned duke box pumps out songs from the nineties and the owners dog snores away on his bed next to it. I type out my response: ‘Plenty here but most look out of your league.’
I make my way to the bar and slip onto a tall black stool, raising a hand to Josh, the bartender, when he nods at me. My phone buzzes and I grin at the photo of Luke giving me the finger. He’s on his way.
My mind flicks back to the note in my pocket and my smile slips away. I need to stop putting it off and just read the damn thing. I take the slip of paper out but before I can bring myself to unfold it Josh appears.
He wipes down the bar in front of me and swings the towel over his shoulder. “You look stressed.”
I screw the note up and shove it back in my pocket. I scowl at Josh. “Why aren’t you as nice to me as you are your other customers?”
He shrugs. “None of my other customers throw drinks in my face.”
“That was one time, and I was aiming for Luke!” I was a few drinks in at the time and my co-ordination left something to be desired.
Josh chuckles. “He coming down this evening?” He keeps the question casual, but I see him tense as he waits for the answer.
I nod.
Josh forces a smile, his hand tightening around the towel. “Great. You want your usual?”
I hesitate, wishing I could give him what he wants. He and Luke would be perfect together. I know Luke likes him but every time the topic comes up, he brushes it off. He doesn’t do committed relationships and Josh isn’t interested in anything less. Not when it comes to Luke.
I shake my head. “I’ll just take a cider. I’m on my bike tonight.”
Josh turns away to get my drink and I spin on my stool, leaning back against the bar and scanning the room. I can’t get drunk, but I’ve got a decent track record for picking up guys here if I’m in the mood. I could do with losing track of reality for a while.
There’s a group of firemen playing pool. I recognize a few of them from work. The police and the fire station have a love/hate relationship, but the high levels of animosity make for good chemistry.
Rocky, a guy I’ve slept with before, catches my eye and lifts his glass to me. He raises his brows in question, but I sigh and shake my head. As much as I want to lose myself for a few hours, I can’t get Jude off my mind. Or River, or Oz or even goddamn Eli. I don’t know where I stand with any of them. It’s not like we’re in a relationship. If I went and slept with Rocky I wouldn’t be doing anything wrong but if I’m honest with myself, I don’t want anyone else.
I spin back round and plant my head in my hands.Great,not only have I been arrested by the FBI team I most admire, I’m now lusting after all four of them.
“Well, that answers my first question.”
I look up as Luke drags out the stool next to me and takes a seat. “What?”
“I was about to ask how you were doing but I’m going to go ahead and guess not so great.”
“Wow,” I say dryly, “you should be a detective.”
Luke laughs.
Josh reappears and flips two coasters onto the bar before putting down my cider. He turns to Luke, another glass still in hand. “I took a gamble and brought you a beer.”
“Blue Moon?”
“Of course.” Josh hands Luke the glass, their fingers brushing a little before Luke pulls away and clears his throat.
