Page 21 of The Love Penalty

“Yay! You came!” She wraps me in a hug, pulling me farther into the bar. I’m forced to go with her and am soon stumbling against the table and saying hi to Ethan and Casey.

Two other guys are there as well. I recognize them from the team, but I don’t know their names. I give them a polite wave, then ask, “Where’s Mikayla?”

“She’s gettin’ drinks.” Ethan points over his shoulder.

I turn to look at the bar and that storm in my stomach turns into a deadly tornado.

Shit.

Asher’s here.

CHAPTER 10

ASHER

“Yep, and just the two beers.” I hold up two fingers to the bartender.

She gives me a wink and uncaps two bottles of Corona, shoving a lime in each neck before popping them on the tray.

“Thanks.”

I double-check the drinks order and am about to take it to the table when Mick snatches my arm.

“Wait, wait, wait! We’re gonna need more than two pizzas. Come on, man.” She gives me a droll look before going back to scanning the menu.

“But I’ve already paid,” I mutter.

She ignores me, calling the bartender over again. “Yeah, can we add a couple more things to our food order, please? We’ll take two large fries and a basket of onion rings, and let’s chuck in a plate of those chicken poppers with extra ranch.”

“Good God, woman, we’re not feeding an army.”

“We’re feeding a pack of hungry cougars—that’s about the same as an army,” she argues while I glance over my shoulder and notice another person has joined our table.

Great, another mouth to feed, making Mick even more right.

Who is that, anyway?

I narrow my eyes, about to ask the little shorty beside me, when my stomach pinches into a hard knot.

“Aw, shit,” I grumble. “Who invited her?”

“What?” Mick glances up at me, then frowns and turns to see who I’m talking about. “Oh, is that Lani? Cool. I can’t believe she came.”

“Why did she come? She never even wants to be at these things.”

“Maybe she’s got a break between assignments or something.”

“Whatever.” I roll my eyes. “She’s probably found some extra work to do. The girl doesn’t know how to relax.”

“Okay, fine, so maybe she’s here for Caroline. Trying to be a good friend or something.”

I scoff, turning back to rest my arms on the counter. I’ll take the drinks over soon. I just need a minute.

“What is your problem?” Mikayla laughs out the question. “Do you really hate her that much?”

“No.” I frown. “I don’t hate her. She hates me.”

Mikayla’s look is downright comical, but I don’t hear myself laughing. If anything, my frown grows that much deeper.