Page 21 of The Way We Touch
“You’re going to call begging for me one of these days, and I’m going to laugh in your face.”
“Don’t hold your breath waiting.” Turning, I walk back to the restaurant.
“This is your last chance,” he shouts after me.
I hold a thumbs-up over my head as I pull open the screen door and go inside.
Craig reads my expression, and he hands the ladle over to Allie before coming to where I’m doing my best to shake off the unpleasantness of that encounter. I don’t want to admit to being scared, but it was intense.
“Just shows I was right,” I say to myself. “Asshole.”
“Are you okay?” Craig puts a hand on my shoulder, then quickly pulls it back. “What the fuck?”
He hooks a finger in my elbow, studying the red mark on my upper arm. I look down, and my eyebrows rise.
“Did he do that?” Rage is in my friend’s eyes, but I quickly tamp it down.
“It’s nothing. He tried to make me stay and talk to him, but I jerked my arm away. It must’ve been a little too forceful.”
“I’m going to show him a little too forceful. Where did he go?”
“Stop.” I squeeze his arm now. “If you get the guys all riled up, it’ll be a big scene, and I don’t want that. I just want him to go away.”
Craig’s eyes narrow, and he flinches, weighing my words. “He should never put a hand on you.”
“I agree, and if he ever does it again, I will help you kick his ass.” I loop my arm through my friend’s. “I don’t think he’ll be back. I made it crystal clear we’re over. He just doesn’t like being told no.”
“He’d better not run into me in a dark alley.”
I exhale a relieved chuckle, leading us further into the restaurant. Davis did scare me a little, but if any of them ever find out he did, I can’t imagine what might happen. I really don’t want my brothers going to jail for murder.
“What’s the reaction to this week’s dare?” I look around the room at the salsa bowls.
Some are empty. Some are full, while others are somewhere in the middle. Everyone’s back to talking and having a good time.
“All good. Oliver Duck wants to know when you’re going to give him a real challenge.”
“That kid.” I shake my head. Salina’s little brother is always complaining the specials aren’t hot enough. “I’m going to find a Carolina Reaper recipe just for him.”
“You should’ve given him the shreds Logan ate.” Craig helps me collect the empty bowls and the gallon of sour cream, carrying them back to the kitchen. “Speaking of hot, where is that fine piece of man meat?”
“Did you just say man meat?” I cry, leaning over the sink as I rinse the large bowl and transfer it to the dishwasher.
I might laugh a little too hard, releasing the nerves from my encounter with Davis. Craig puts the sour cream in the refrigerator and grabs two beers.
“Here. You earned it.”
I take the Corona out of his hand and take a long sip. “Logan and Garrett were still sleeping when I left. I should head back and take them some dinner.”
“Got you covered, Boss.” Thomas winks, handing me a box. “Two burgers, medium rare with our special sauce and extra fries.”
“They are going to love you. Garrett might walk over here and give you a hug.”
“Oh, no!” Thomas throws up his hands, laughing. “If I see him coming, I’m gonna run.”
Craig slides a hand across my upper back. “I’ll close tonight. Take care of your brothers.”
Leaning to the side, I give him a hug. He knows me so well. He knows how much I miss Garrett when he’s in New York, but most of all, he knows I need a minute after that interaction with Davis.