“Billy is having one of his parties. Tonight.”
My eyebrows shoot up. “No notice? What’s the occasion?”
“Ordered too many meatballs.”
Grabbing my deodorant I slide some on. “Really?”
“No, not really. Does he need a reason? That’s what he does. Throws parties, and we go to them, so let’s go.”
“I’m in.” Hanging up I glance to Washington. “Party tonight. Want in?”
“No.”
“You need to get laid.” As I tug on my T-shirt I cut off his next refusal. “Don’t argue with me, Wash. Your attitude lately tells me only one thing. You are spending your nights alone. Come out and play.” I grab my things and slam the locker shut with my shoulder, eyeing him as he gives it some thought.
Eudy mumbles from where he’s tapping away, “I’m so happy I’m married. Christy keeps me satisfied.” Two sets of eyes stare at him, but he still doesn’t look up, his tone matter-of-fact, “How do you think I put up with the partner I have? I’m always in a good mood. Now you know why.”
Washington zips his jacket, eyeing Eudy. “I’ll go.”
“Great. I’ll send you the address. I’m going to the gym.”
“Catch ya later,” he nods, grabbing his phone and finding nothing to check. “Well shit.”
The last thing I hear is Eudy saying, “Get yourself a wife, Washington. You won’t be frustrated anymore.”
“I don’t know about that.”
“Find the right one. You’ll see.”
I punch-tap a Wanted poster on my way out.
Billy shouts to my brother and I, “You made it!” his smile flashing huge for a brief moment before he returns to the row of crockpots steaming between us. He’s behind a long table usually manned by his employees. There’s only one back there, and his girlfriend who’s helping.
Since moving his house parties to this warehouse, business has boomed with little sign of slowing. There was some drama way back, which the woman at his side can attest to, but now things are up up up.
Haven nods with a friendly smile as she ladles, “Hi Wyatt. Hi Nate,” Handing me a biodegradable bowl she says as if it’s the most natural thing in the world, “Here, try Billy’s balls.”
“I love this woman!” he laughs, momentarily throwing his arm around her waist and planting a kiss on her cheek before returning to stirring. “That’s right, eat my balls boys! They’re tangy and hot!”
Nathan grins.
I stare at the bowl, fresh protein shake still in my bloodstream after my workout. “I’m good, thanks.”
My brother eagerly snatches it, “I’ll take ‘em!” and dives in, using his fingers. He moans and looks at me.
“Stop. Just stop.”
I hear Washington’s baritone from yards away. “Cocker!”
“In the back! Follow the scent of meatballs!”
The place is packed, colored lights zig-zagging across hundreds of people, some faces we recognize since we’ve been coming to these for so long, and Billy has a mailing list of loyals. You want to be the first to know, you sign up. It’s a good looking crowd, except for my partner.
I kid.
For a giant, he’s alright. But he doesn’t take chances with the ladies. Not like me. “Hey, you take a nap or something? Why are you late?”
Washington reacts. “I’m right on time.”
“We’ve been here forever.”
“You told me nine-thirty.”
“I didn’t mean it.”
“What? Oh damn, Cocker, you almost got me.” His finger wags at my face. “I hope you enjoy that shit you pull.”
Smirking, “I do. I really do,” my gaze rakes the crowd because I can see Nathan searching for his woman of the night.
We come here.
We conquer.
We go home not alone.
Washington takes a deep breath, his whole body absorbing the fragrant air we’re drowning in. “Those smell good!”
“You want some?” Billy asks. “We haven’t officially met. You a friend of Wyatt’s?”
“His patrol partner.”
“Oh cool! On the house.”
Wash laughs, “You hiding drugs in the back?”
“I’m just making payment on a future debt, in case I ever need a hand.”
I eyeball him. “Billy, you can always call me if you need anything. Something up?”
“Nah, but now I’ve got two cops on my side. Safety in numbers. Here ya go. This is my Haven. Not just my safe place, although she is that. It’s really her name.”
“Hi,” she waves.
“Nice to meet you. Don’t mind if I do.” He takes the offered bowl and searches for a fork.
“You eat with your fingers,” Haven explains, stirring steam. “That way you get to lick the sauce and enjoy it more. Billy’s thing.”
Washington stares at her, then at me.
I motion to the bowl with a hurry-up-and-eat wave. He starts to go for it, but Haven hands him a fork.
“We have forks.”
My poor partner.
He purses his lips and almost puts the bowl down, thinks better of it, grabs the fork and says, “I’ll just give this a try anyhow.”
She feels bad, so offers, “Some people eat with their fingers.”
Nathan holds up gooey fingers. “See?”
“Well now I’m not going to be the only one to use a damn fork!” Handing it back, he digs in with five trunks and really goes for it.
Rolling my eyes I turn to the dance floor and see Harlow and Bryn approaching us, the crowd making way since they’re head-turners.
My jaw stiffens.
Not my normal reaction.
Nathan and I hooked up with Haven’s friends before, a couple of times. Really pretty, both of them. And really focused on making that hookup happen again tonight.
“Hi guys,” Bryn smiles, “Wondered if you’d show up. You weren’t here last time.”
Harlow corrects her. “No, we weren’t here.”
“I meant the time we were here, the one before that.”
I smirk, “Okay, now you’re confusing everyone.”
Their proximity lessens and I feel a weird tug in my gut, like I want out of here. “Have to go take care of business. See you all in a sec.”
I head to the men’s room, the line for the ladies long as usual. Only this time heads turn in a pronounced way, with recognition. Only problem is I don’t know them.
My footsteps slow, awareness dawning.
I ask with a be-honest
