AllFreeNovel
Share Us
That gentle smile spreads as wide as the horizon. “The guys will be glad to hear it. I’ll go tell them.” Sunny turns and dashes from the room, feet thumping up the stairwell the next second. I set my dishes on the counter, all too aware of Cookie’s stare burning a hole through me.
“Not a word,” I say. “Not a single word, Cookie.”
My old friend smirks, but he has no intention of following my request.
“What would I say? Something like, I guess there is one thing in this world that could talk you into going.”
Every argument would be a failure, so I give in. “Yeah, I guess you’re right.”
Chapter 12
Sunny
After piling into two trucks, with me somehow smushed between Austin and Weston in Houston’s truck, I’m happy for a little space once we arrive. I meant to ride with Rhett, but Silas and Buck grabbed the only seats in the single cab before I had a chance. If it bothered him that I rode separately, it’s not showing on his face. But then, Rhett isn’t one to show his emotions that easily. Even as he steps out of his truck, he looks more apprehensive than excited like the rest of the guys.
Earlier, Austin started bragging about this waitress he’s been seeing in town. His claim is that he can get us all big discounts on all the sushi we can eat. Of course, Silas started whining that he’s never had sushi before, and Houston started in on him for not trying new things. Add to that the debate over who could do a better job behind the microphone and the rest is history.
“You gonna sing, Sunny?” Austin knocks me with his elbow and nods toward the restaurant.
Weston picks up the thread, coming up on my other side. “You could give us clues about where you came from by the songs you choose.”
“Or,” I nudge Austin back, “I can take video of you idiots making fools of yourself and use it to blackmail my way into less work.” Behind me I hear a soft snicker that I know belongs to Rhett. “I think I like my idea best.”
They both abandon me, laughing and joking on their way inside. I find my steps hesitate near the entrance. I hate not knowing what’s on the other side. At the ranch, I can see people coming. I know when it’s time to run. But this—This is enclosed and terrifying. What if Whitlock and Stolls are in there? What if there’s a wanted poster for me tacked to the bulletin board? What if I—
An arm slips through mine, halting my thoughts. To my left, Rhett grins. “It’s just sushi and karaoke and you have six bodyguards. It’ll be okay.”
I twist my mouth to one side, trying to see into his mind to understand how he knew what was going on in mine. “How do you know I wasn’t just holding back because I believe a man should get the door, huh?”
It’s lame, but he doesn’t call me on it. Rhett never would.
He almost laughs at what I said, but gives a thoughtful nod instead, “A man should get the door.” With his free hand, he pulls the ornate door back and presses his palm to the small of my back to lead me inside.
I’m not sure what I expected, but this wasn’t it. I heard restaurant and might have assumed a lot of tables and a microphone in the corner for occasional songs. The reality appears to be the idea but in reverse. At the focal point of the room, a stage boasts multiple microphones, a large screen and neon lights glowing in pink and turquoise. Around the room, small coves of leather couches surround two or three square tables. The term restaurant feels like a stretch at this point, more like a lounge. Clearly, sushi is the afterthought, and the music takes center stage.
Austin wates no time ingratiating himself with the waitress he bragged about. With his arm around her waist and his whispers in her ear, she giggles and rolls her eyes before she motions for the rest of us to follow her. We don’t all fit in one cove of couches, but Buck and Houston grab chairs from a nearby table to add to the outer edge of ours. Like a river current, I follow the flow into the space, noting the way Mandy, our hostess, says, “Any friends of Austin’s…” like it means something grand.
Somehow in the shuffle of bodies, I lose Rhett and find myself between Houston and Buck on one couch, while Rhett stands on the outside almost glaring at the guys next to me. At least until Silas pulls out the chair across from me and says, “Saved you this one, Rhett.” As Rhett moves to take the chair, I barely overhear Silas saying, “Best view in the house.”
Rhett shoos him away, taking the seat directly across from me. I don’t know about his view, but I won’t mind Rhett blocking the stage all night. Austin and Buck take point on ordering what we might want since they’ve obviously done this before. After the orders go in, Houston and Buck rush the stage to find the song book. Rhett eyes the empty space next to me, but stays put, leaning forward with his elbows on his legs.
“I’m starving. Is sushi fast to make?”
“You’ve never had it? I assumed you’ve all been here before.”
Rhett shifts in his seat, discomfort showing. “They like to come, but I usually don’t get the invite. Up until recently, I hardly did much more than work with them all. Living together has opened up a whole new world to me.”
“But you’ve never had sushi?” I motion in the direction of the ocean outside. “You live next to the freshest catches on the planet, and you never thought to try sushi?”
He tries to hide his grin. “I’m not always one for trying new things.” Commotion on the stage brings our attention around. Houston and Buck take the stage, each fighting for the center microphone. Familiar strains of 500 Miles by The Proclaimers start to filter over the air. Rhett turns back to face me, no longer able to hide his smile. “Though, I’m starting to think I was really missing out on something special here.”
“Well, you should get a better seat, so you don’t miss anything.” I pat the space on the couch beside me, hoping he’ll take the invitation.
“Yeah,” Rhett rises as Houston starts off with the first verse, “I guess I should.”
Rhett
I could choke on my own tongue. She leaves me that flustered. Sitting next to her, close enough that she keeps bumping me now and then when she points at someone on the stage or something in the video behind them. She’s not like any other girl I’ve ever met. She hangs with the guys like it’s not a second thought, but she’s still feminine and soft.
