Page 9

“Kaylan seems quiet enough.”

I was going to say how truly not-quiet Kaylan was when I realized Kaylan had been acting a little differently since we sat down with them. He was a flirt, and I was genuinely surprised he hadn’t tried it with either of these two, especially as it was obvious Scott was interested. Unless they didn’t come back from the bar anytime soon.

“Did you use to work in a restaurant?”

He nodded. “Not that it was Michelin-starred or anything, but I was learning tons.”

I was curious to know why he’d moved, but maybe it had something to do with the grandad he’d mentioned.

Kaylan and Scott came back. Kaylan had gotten Cokes for us, and I was glad. Scott was carrying what I could smell were a gin and lemonade and a glass of red wine for Jaxson. We chatted about sports for a while, as it seemed a safe subject. Fortunately, Scott seemed to be able to carry on the conversation for all four of us.

When Scott finished his gin and lemonade, he asked if we wanted another drink, but Jaxson said he had to get home. Scott turned to Kaylan, seeming unconcerned his friend was leaving. “Want another?”

Kaylan looked apologetic. “Sorry, early start,” and he stood, putting his hand out to Jaxson. Jaxson stood as well and looked startled Kaylan had offered his hand. But he took it and murmured that it was nice to meet us both. He had to pull a little to get Kaylan to let go, and he turned and headed back to the parking lot, a sullen-looking Scott trailing after him.

“You didn’t have to turn him down for me,” I said.

Kaylan didn’t reply to that. “Where’s the trailer park?”

I blinked. “Which park?”

“The one Jaxson mentioned.”

I shook my head. I supposed I must have tuned out more than I thought. “Sorry…I—wait, are you interested in him?”

Kaylan shot me a look. “And?”

“Because Jaxson isn’t the type of guy you go for.” Quiet? Shy? He was the exact opposite. Kaylan shrugged, then picked up his keys.

“Where next? We’re not going to get you laid sitting out here.”

I cringed. “Not gonna happen.”

Kaylan studied me for far too long. “No, I don’t suppose it is.”

And unless Danny completely changed his mind when he felt better, it wasn’t going to happen any time soon.

Chapter four

Danny

I woke up in a daze, my head throbbing. For a moment, I couldn't remember where I was or how I'd gotten there. The last thing I recalled was the steering wheel jerking in my hands, then the tree coming at me way too quickly.

Then strong arms. Warmth. Safety.

"Bayer," I whispered, my hand automatically reaching out to the empty space beside me. But he wasn't there. Instead, I found myself in an unfamiliar room with Simeon, Phoenix's sentinel, standing over me with a concerned expression.

"How's your head?" he asked.

"Hurts," I admitted, pushing myself up to sitting position. "Where's Bayer?"

Something flickered across Simeon's face—understanding, or maybe amusement. "Your brother is at the gate looking for you. Your mom's worried."

Great. Just what I needed, Shane playing the concerned-brother act.

"I'll take you to him," Simeon said, helping me to my feet.

I wanted to protest, to ask for Bayer instead, but what would be the point? He'd already left me. Not that I cared about the big lout. I had a bump on the head. That was the only reason I’d let him carry me.