Page 62 of Warrior Witch
“No one says ‘po-tah-to’.” As I watched him pour two measures of tequila, I asked, “If the position is vacant, why does it sound like you don’t want me to come back?”
He gave me an enigmatic smile that made my eye twitch. “I want to be sure that it’s what you want, now that things have changed for you. Take your time to think. Talk it over with your boyfriends.” He slid one of the glasses over to me. “Discover your future.”
I bit my lip and thought about his words. He was right. Things had changed for me. I’d changed. Not just the multiple lovers—though they were a fantastic bonus—but for the first time in my life, I felt like I had a chance at a real future for myself, and for my family.
“I want a part time management position.”
“Oh? Got plans for the other half of your day?”
“College,” I answered. “I could afford to start classes with the money from my promotion, and then I’ll be ready for when you wanna hand me the keys to this place.”
“Wow. Getting a bit ahead of yourself there, aren’t you?”
I shook my head. “Nope. You’ve talked about wanting to open another club, maybe two, right? I’m gonna be ready.”
Kedron grinned and held up his glass. I clinked it with mine and downed the shot, reveling in the burn down to my stomach.
“You can start training tomorrow night.” He waved me away from the bar. “Now get out of my club while it’s still mine. My newest bartender is outside, waiting to give you a ride home.”
“Creepy. Thank you.” I downed the last of my soda and headed for the door, before swiveling on my toe and calling back, “Oh, and talk to Lindsay. If you keep playing this boss-with-benefits schtick, you’ll lose him.”
He nodded, his expression sincere. “I won’t let that happen.”
As I made my way outside, I paused at the entrance, staring up at the gray sky. I used to hate how much it rained here. But as the scent of petrichor filled my senses, all I felt was contentment… and something digging into my lower back.
“Is that a knife poking my spine, or are you just happy to see me?”
Tattooed arms wrapped around me as my favorite biker kissed my neck. “No knife this time, Sparky. But I’ve been told it’s a weapon.”
Laughter bubbled out of me. “Since when do you have jokes? Wait, you’re Kedron’s new bartender?”
He spun me in his arms, moving his hands down to cup my ass cheeks and press me against the hard lines of his body. “Well, I need the money after my last job didn’t go so well. I fell for the target, and when the time came, I couldn’t betray her.”
Pushing up on my toes, I wrapped my arms around his neck and pulled him down for a bruising kiss. Oh, there was no way I was going to be able to keep my hands off him on shift. Holy shit, I was gonna be his boss. We’d be worse than Lindsay and Kedron within a week, and I couldn’t wait.
“Come on,” he mumbled against my lips. “I’ve got a present for you.”
He took my hand and led me across the street to his bike, where he’d balanced a black helmet with painted lightning bolts on the seat. “I figured since we might be commuting together now, you should look the part.”
I grabbed it, practically bouncing on my toes with glee. “You’re so cute when you’re not trying to kill me!”
He rolled his eyes and helped me put it on, tightening the strap under my chin until he was satisfied. “Don’t worry. I’ll keep hating you in the bedroom.”
My heart fluttered. “Promise?”
“I’ll fucking despise you, if it makes you happy.”
***
When we arrived at my apartment building, we found Kylen and Addie sitting on the small patch of grass outside. The lack of sunlight didn’t even bother them; they were so engrossed in their chat. It was sweet to see them connecting as siblings. As much as I loved that I had Lindsay while growing up, having a blood relative would have been incredible, and I was so happy Addie had found one. The fact that it was Kylen only made it better. I knew he’d be the best sibling to her, even though he’d be competing with me and Lindsay. I’d still be number one.
Kylen waved us over to sit with them, as he continued talking. “Yeah, I remember Mom being pregnant, but I was told the baby died in the accident. When my parents—sorry, our parents—died, I was left by myself and went to live with my aunt on our dad’s side.”
He smiled to himself, watching her run her hands over the grass and leave a trail of fresh daisies in her path. She’d taken to her new magic like she’d been using it for years.
“I don’t remember much of what happened. I was fourteen at the time and not exactly coping. But the lawyer we’ve hired thinks they separated us when I went into foster care for a few days, before going to my aunt’s. I didn’t even know you were born.”
Tears welled in his eyes, and he blinked them away. “Anyway, once I have a permanent address, your case worker thinks I have a real shot at being assigned your legal guardian.”