GOLDIE(19)

“When have you known me to bullshit?” Goldie’s jaw twitched.

“He’s got a point there,” Brutus said.

“Goldie always tells it straight,” Skull added.

Eagle and Goldie stood breathing noisily, their gazes boring into each other’s. Finally, Eagle broke eye contact and stepped back. “She’s all yours, dude. No sense in getting pissed over pussy. Where’s the redhead you mentioned?” he asked, turning to Army.

Their conversation became muffled in Goldie’s ears as he lit a joint and watched Hailey. After a few minutes, he tossed it to the floor, grinding it out with the toe of his boot. Reaching behind him, he grabbed his glass of Jack Daniels, threw it back, then made his way over to Hailey’s table.

As he approached, he recognized one of the blonde women as the one who was with her at the tattoo parlor the weekend before. The blonde glanced up and smiled at him. She probably thinks I’m hitting on her. Then she said something to Hailey, who looked over her shoulder just as he reached their table.

“Hey,” he said in her ear as he bent down low.

“Hi.” Her cheeks rose with her grin and her eyes shimmered.

“Can I join you?” He pulled out a chair and sat down before she answered.

Hailey pointed to the three women. “This is Claudia. She was with me when I came into your shop. And this is Sera and Aubree.” Pointing to him, she said, “And this is….” She giggled. “I don’t know your name.”

“Goldie.” He pushed his chair closer to hers. She smelled like the beach: sandy, sunny, and a briny tang. It washed over him like a cool breeze and reminded him of when his grandparents had taken him and his siblings to Disneyland and Laguna Beach one summer long ago.

“I’m Hailey.”

He smiled. I know who you are, sweet girl. “Can I get you ladies a round of drinks?” They all nodded and he called the waitress over.

“I’m pretty tipsy,” Hailey said in his ear. Her warm breath made his dick wake up. “It’s funny that I ran into you again. First at Chianti’s and now here. I wonder if the universe is trying to tell us something.” She held his gaze with those beautiful eyes. “Maybe we should do something about it.”

Lust surged through him. “Like what?” He placed his hand on hers.

“I dunno. Maybe go out on a date? Do you date?”

He chuckled. “Not often. Depends on whether the woman’s worth the time.”

“Am I?”

“Oh yeah… you’re absolutely worth the time.” Remember Ryan. Fuck, this shit is hard.

“So…?” Her glossy pink lips parted.

Ryan, in full battle gear, floated in front of him. His best buddy was in Afghanistan fighting in one-hundred-plus degrees and he was here in an air-conditioned bar, hitting on his bud’s sister. Ryan trusted him. Fuck!

Sliding his hand off hers, he pulled away, then stood up. “I gotta get back to my party, ladies. Have a good time.” He ignored Hailey’s fallen face and walked back over to his brothers.

“Struck out with the hottie?” Army asked.

“Leave it alone.” Goldie threw him a hard look. He felt her staring at him, but he made himself ignore her as he talked with Steel and Paco. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw her walk down the hallway to the bathrooms. He watched Sangre’s hungry eyes devour her as she’d passed. When Sangre headed in the same direction she had, he cursed under his breath before he went after him.

“It’s a fuckin’ good party. This place is teeming with hot chicks. I just saw a sweet piece of ass and I’m gonna see if she’s as willing as I am to party.” Sangre chuckled.

“The one who just came down here?” Goldie asked. Sangre nodded. “She’s with me.”

“Really? I didn’t know that. You’ve been hangin’ out with the brothers most of the time.”

“That doesn’t mean shit. I told you she’s with me. That’s all you fuckin’ need to know.”

“Don’t talk shit to me or we’re gonna have a problem.” Sangre flexed his muscles and took a step toward Goldie.

Goldie clenched his fists as the adrenaline began to pump through him. And then he saw her coming out of the ladies’ room. “Just chill, okay. I’m just pissed about shit. Nothing with you. I let it spill over. She’s really with me. I know her.”

Sangre glanced down the hall as she came toward them. He clasped Goldie’s shoulder. “No worries. Later.” Then he sauntered off.

Hailey turned her head away from him and brushed past him, but he reached out and grabbed her arm, bringing her crashing against him.