Page 30 of Torqued

Margo’s eye twitches. “Is there anything else?”

“She smelled so good. My God, her lips are like honey!”

Crank elbows me, grinning. “Really?”

“No, Crank!” Margo stomps her foot. “Do not encourage him.”

Margo types out a quick message while we wait with baited breaths to see if she’ll get an answer. I know Spencer’s right, but my gut feels like there’s more to this story.

“Did she answer you?” I tap my glass with my fingers and then take another gulp from the bottle. Crank reaches for it. I side-eye him and pull it away.

“Give me the bottle,” he grasps the neck, tugging on it.

“No, I will drown my sorrows.” I tighten my grip.

Margo’s eyes snap up and back to her screen. “You will not. And stop acting like you’re drunk! You’ve literally had less to drink than you did Monday night.”

“You’ve got to let the Lane shit rest, man. He’s of no consequence to you and you know it.” Crank slaps my shoulder, taking the bottle from me.

“I can’t stand that fucker, he’s such a narcissist.”

Margo’s face contorts as she continues to type. “Here’s the thing, Spencer’s intelligent. If she wanted to keep things private, you should’ve been understanding.”

“Whatever, I don’t even care anymore.” I hand Crank the bottle and head toward the back. “I’m taking a shower and going out.”

Margo glares at me over the top of her cell. “Because that’s exactly what you need to do.”

“The ladies are waitin’ to be rushed.” I wink, kicking my boots off.

“More like crushed.” Crank chuckles.

Margo purses her lips as she returns to texting. “You’re making a huge mistake.”

“Why say that? Maybe Spencer’s making one. She doesn’t have a problem being seen with Lane.” I slam my boots into the closet, doing the door the same way as I drive my point home.

Crank and Margo exchange a look. You know the kind. The one that says they know more than they’re telling. The type that gives you a queasy feeling, throwing you off-kilter.

I walk over slowly, crossing my arms as I lean against the counter. They avert their eyes, working hard not to face me. Now I’m positive there’s something more going on than anyone is telling me.

“Spit it out.” Crank’s chin digs into his chest, lowering his head until I can’t even see his face. Margo’s eyes widen as she types away on her phone. “I’m serious. Tell me, or I’m walking.”

“Spencer… she’s got a feeling. It may not mean anything, but she’s keeping her ear to the ground on it.” Margo stares at me, frustrated with having to divulge the information.

I shake my head, chuckling. “And it just so happens, she needs to cozy up to Lane to find out. Wow, couldn’t see that one coming.”

“Dude, seriously? You said it yourself, Spencer’s a helluva businesswoman. She can handle him and his sister.” Crank frowns.

“Ya see, the look on your face is the reason I worry.”

He shrugs, glancing at Margo. “I hadn’t thought about someone… a woman that I care about having to be close to him. I see what you’re getting at now, definitely not cool.”

“Not at all! It’s pretty fucked up, actually.”

Margo glares at Crank, which is pretty standard, but it seems different. “First, they’re not in a relationship. Second, could you be more dramatic?”

“I’m not getting into a relationship with someone that doesn’t want to be seen with me. There are too many women in the world for that noise.” Margo openly gapes at me. “What?”

“Who are you?” Her brow furrows.