“I guess that makes us even because you’re such a bitch.”
I rolled my eyes at his playground level comeback.Figured.Once an ass, always an ass.“Unless there’s something elseyour highnessrequires, I’m going to get back to work.Mostly so I can get the hell out of here and away from you.”
“The feeling is totally mutual, sweetheart.”
When he didn’t say anything else, I huffed my disgust and got back to work, sitting on his stool so I could tear down his drumkit.
Clearly irritated that I hadn’t bowed down in his all-mighty presence, he barked, “Move!”
I flinched and jumped off the stool, scuttling a few steps back and away from him.
With a glare, he swept up his forgotten t-shirt then pulled it on over his head before stomping off the way he’d come.
I placed a hand over my racing heart.For all my earlier bluster, nothing triggered me more than a shouting man.
I turned back to my job.The sooner I finished, the sooner I could be with my girls.
Chapter 2
Noah Hawker
“Thanks for meeting me, man.”I slapped Liam on the shoulder as he joined me at my table at Ramsay Pearce’s restaurant, Lamb, at the Desert Island Resort/Casino.
“It’s my pleasure.Mostly because you’re treating.”Liam grinned as he sat down in the chair opposite me.“I plan on making you pay for avoiding me lately.Although sending the jet out for me is making up for it a little bit.”
I smiled down at the empty plate in front of me before picking up my napkin and placing it on my lap before the hovering maître d’ could.I really didn’t like strange dudes in my personal space, and especially notthatpersonal space.
“What’s that dish he’s world renowned for again?”Liam asked as he held up a menu.Liam and I went way back.As he was Xander’s brother, he’d come on the road with us as Xan’s guitar tech when we first started out.I’d seen him through some tough shit.He was practically a brother.Which made my recent MIA stint kinda sad; hence the dinner.And the jet.
“Scotch egg,” I answered.
“Nah, the one with the pastry thing.”
“Fillet and Yorkshire pudding?”
“That’s it.”Liam slapped his menu down on the table.“That’s what I want.”
It was a good choice, considering it was the most expensive dish in the whole place.I decided to have the same and put my menu down on top of his.
“So?What’s been going on?”Liam asked with a grin.“How’s life in Sin City?”
“Pretty much sin free,” I grumbled.
“Shit.Yeah, sorry.”Liam hitched a shoulder.“I know it’s cliché, but it does get easier.”
“Does it really?Because I’m a year in, and I’m struggling.I still feel that draw.I can’t shake it.”
“Can I interest you in something from our wine list to start you gentlemen off tonight?”Our waiter asked as he appeared at the edge of our table.Literally out of nowhere.I wondered if he was on loan from the resort’s magician or some shit.And seriously, was he listening to us?Offering us the very thing we couldn’t have.Like the fucking devil on my shoulder—‘just one drink, it won’t hurt.’Asshole.
“No wine for the table.We’re sober,” Liam replied with no hesitation.“What do you recommend that’s alcohol-free?”
Our waiter didn’t bat an eyelash.“We have still or sparkling water.There are a few mocktails on the menu as well.Or we have tea.”
We settled on sparkling water and put in our order—different starters but the same entrées—then our waiter disappeared as easily as he’d appeared.
I seriously wanted to know his secret.That shit could come in handy.
“It’s shit like that.”I jerked a thumb where our waiter had been.“I hate.”
