Page 13 of The Killer Card

“Eh,” I bobble my head as he gives me the finger from the door. “You’re not really my type, pendejo.”

Elias snorts out another laugh. “I think he’s exactly your type.”

“No,” I shake my head. “Too needy.”

“Fuck. You,” Rowan growls, but his cousin and I are laughing as I set down a second drink for the birthday girl and get back to work, not allowing the distraction of my future bride to get in the way of my tips.

Afterall, I need enough to buy a ring fit for a queen.

✽✽✽

I need a break. I need a cigarette and a piss, and I’ve been babysitting this girl for the last hour with no sign of her hot friend in sight. Or her boyfriend.

“El novio de esta chama la dejó plantada,” I tell Elias and Rowan as her phone starts to ring. She’s instantly, reasonably, upset with whoever is on the other end. I’d wager it’s her boyfriend, so I excuse myself from her direct line of sight for privacy. “I have to piss, someone take over babysitting duties.”

“You do know that’s not actually your job, right?” Rowan asks. “You’re literally just trying to impress her friends—”

“Cállate vale,” I tell him, dipping under the bar.

Elias pats me on the back as he slips under, letting me know he’ll handle her. He’s been in the back warming up for his show and should be getting on stage soon, but he knows I don’t trust Juan to do shit.

I sneak toward the back- pulling out a cigarette and a lighter- but pause when a glint of gold catches my eye coming out of the bathrooms. She spots me at the same time I spot her and her eyes narrow.

“Shouldn’t you be at the bar with Nelly?”

“She’s covered.” I lean against the wall, biting my lip as I allow myself a slower pass from her golden heels to the hoops in her ears. “You, however—"

She holds up a hand. “I’m gonna stop you right there.” She plucks the cigarette from between my fingers. “I don’t need, nor do I want your company. I most certainly don’t want you to cover me. If I go home with anyone tonight he won’t smell like he bathed in whiskey.” Without taking her eyes off me, she tucks my cigarette between her breasts until it vanishes into their inspiring swell. Her fingers meet my chin, tilting my gaze up to meet hers. “Nod if you understand.”

I nod.

She pats my cheek. “Good boy.” She leaves me standing there, hard as stone, the sway of her hips leaving an impression on my psyche I might need therapy to remove. Or some other, more nefarious form of activity.

Goddamn it, now I have fucking plans tonight.

Groaning, I take the cigarette pack from my back pocket and shove my way into the parking lot. I just manage to finish one before Rowan is summoning me back inside so Elias can take the stage. And it’s just my luck that the birthday girl is no longer alone.

“I’ll be back,” Elias says in my ear. “Take care of her. Whatever she wants, it’s on the house.”

“When did you become a homewrecker?” I dip under the service bar.

“Mind your business. Whatever they want, amigo. You got them?”

“Yeah,” I mutter, eyes glued to the dimple in the corner of Naomi’s mouth. “I’ve got them…”

✽✽✽

Sunday is the night I normally come to The Pink Flamingo. It’s the only day of the week that El Rincón is closed and I get the freedom to do whatever I want for as long as I want. Friday nights tend to end too late and I’m getting too old to chase that energy at three in the morning.

However, after a night of being tormented by an ass that will haunt my fucking dreams, I have no other choice. Luckily, I keep a change of clothes in my car. Because unlike her assumption- I do not prefer smelling like a distillery.

I hope whatever mediocre fuck she chose tonight breathes beer all over her.

No, no I don’t. I honestly hope he’s a one-pump chump and passes out before they can even make eye contact.

Okay, if I’m being totally honest, I hope he passes out before he even gets his dick out of his pants.

I am not obsessing.