Page 93 of Talk Wicked to Me

“That’s water under the bridge. I couldn’t even be honest with myself about my feelings for Emerson at first. I understand why Evie had trouble telling me. Don’t give it another thought. We’re cool.”

They set their trays on the table just as the band started playing “What I Got” by Sublime.

Madigan squealed, and Gunner and Sid started singing their own rendition, which they’d made up years ago. Emerson danced in her seat, cracking up as Gunner played the air guitar, singing about buying his dog some bling and riding a bike like a motherfucking king. And just like always, Baz and Steph belted out the real lyrics, all of them laughing hysterically.

When the song ended, practically the whole bar cheered and clapped.

As Baz took his seat beside Emerson, she said, “That was so fun!” and turned those expressive eyes on him. “I want our own song.”

“How about ‘Push It!’ by Salt-N-Pepa,” Madigan called out, and sang, “Push that baby out. Push that baby out on the side of the road.”

Everyone laughed.

“Don’t we know any songs about pushy bikers who refuse to leave you alone?” Evie asked.

“‘I Knew You Were Trouble’ by Taylor Swift,” Sid suggested, inciting more laughter.

“You don’t need someone else’s music,” Zander said. “I’ll write a song just for you, Emerson. You can call me on those cold, lonely nights when Baz is away. I’ll come serenade you and keep you warm.”

“Sure, Zander,” Emerson said with a laugh.

Baz glowered at him.

“Wait. Baz is still going away?” Sid asked.

“Of course he is,” Emerson said. “He’s been planning this trip forever. He can’t leave all those animals high and dry.”

All eyes turned on Baz, and there was no escaping the way Tank’s gaze bored into him like he was trying to read his mind. Baz ground his back teeth.

Maverick nudged him. “Seriously, dude?”

“I made a commitment,” he bit out, but he didn’t blame them for being confused by the situation. He was, too. The last thing he wanted to do was to be away from Emerson and Brennan, but he couldn’t reconcile backing out of a commitment it had taken years to finally follow through with and months to secure.

“You guys, it’s just a few months. It’s not a big deal,” Emerson said.

Baz couldn’t ask for a more supportive girlfriend, but he sensed a fissure in her confidence and felt an undercurrent of longing slipping out. He took her hand, squeezing it reassuringly, wishing he knew how the hell to handle the situation better.

“You can hang out with me and Tobias,” Madigan said excitedly. “We’ll be a fun threesome. Well, with Brennan we’ll be a foursome. Right, To?”

Tobias tried to keep a straight face as the rest of them stifled chuckles. “Blue Eyes, just…” He shook his head.

“Why not?” Madigan complained. “She’ll be alone, and you said she’s great. You can handle both of us. I mean, we’ll probably get a little silly and loud sometimes, but I think we’ll be perfect together.”

Everyone burst into hysterics.

“Wha—ohmy…You guys! I didn’t mean it like that,” Madigan snapped, causing more hysterics.

Tobias hugged her and said, “Emerson, you’re welcome to hang with us outside the bedroom. I’ll give you some self-defense lessons while Baz is gone so you can fend off guys like Zander.”

While everyone joked about that, the thought of being away from Emerson and Brennan, and the banter about snuggling and threesomes, had Baz feeling like a caged tiger, needing to be closer to her. As if the music gods heard him, the band started playing “Wanna Be That Song” by Brett Eldredge.

“They’re playing our song, darlin’.” He pushed to his feet, bringing Emerson up with him and leading her to the crowded dance floor. He gathered her in his arms, heart pounding, body thrumming to be even closer, while an emotional battle fucked with his head, making his chest feel like it was full of knotted-up barbed wire.

“Are you okay?” she asked as they swayed to the music. “You know Zander was only kidding.”

“I know. I just hate the idea of leaving you and Brennan. I wish I never made that commitment.”

“Baz, don’t say that. You’re a man of your word. That’s one of the things I admire most about you. Don’t screw that up and make me rethink my feelings for you.”