Chapter Three

A manda watched Kasey step back into the building and make a beeline for the bar. The expression on his face spoke volumes. By the resignation in his eyes and the slump of his shoulders, he appeared drained or frustrated or angry. She didn’t know him well enough to determine which.

He wore a button-down shirt, blue jeans, and mountain boots. Rugged, with a full beard, he looked like he belonged in the wilderness.

She was more of a beach girl. She wanted to finish renovating the house she’d bought in Katy and sell it for a profit so she could buy one in Galveston. It would be a commute to school each day for sure, but the time in the car would allow her to collect her thoughts in the mornings and release any frustrations from the day in the afternoons. And she’d go home to the ocean breeze and the soothing sound of waves.

The owner, Mike, who she’d also met at Quinn’s wedding, slammed a shot glass on the bar and poured a clear liquid into it. Kasey picked it up, downed it, and motioned for a refill. He didn’t even suck on a lime to take the bite away.

After guzzling the second one, he gestured for another. Once he’d finished the third, Mike handed him a beer. His brothers stood on either side of him. The cop brother put his hand on Kasey’s back as he spoke.

Amanda’s phone buzzed. She checked it and headed for the front door. Once there, she tipped the delivery guy and took a brown paper bag from him. When Kasey mentioned only having a liquid diet, she’d spoken to Mike and made the order. She’d learned at an early age that no one should drink on an empty stomach. And she doubted one cupcake would soak up very much alcohol.

The bouncer blocked her. “No food inside.”

“Mike said it was fine since it’s for Hunter Kase.”

“Okay.” The guy moved out of her way.

Kasey still stood at the bar when she returned. She handed the bag to him without a word. He looked perplexed. She just smiled and went over to sit with her coworkers.

“Darling,” Quinn said from behind her.

Amanda turned in her seat.

“If you want to drink, we’ll get an Uber to drive you home.” Blonde hair in curls at her shoulders, Quinn sat next to her.

“I don’t drink. Never have, never will.”

“Is there a story there?” Quinn asked.

Amanda’s heart skipped a beat. She was saved from answering when Dre came up, leaned over the back of Quinn’s chair, and whispered into her ear.

Quinn’s face lit up as she spun around. “Really?”

He nodded.

She grinned at Amanda and got up. “Mike’s going to let me tend bar.”

“Have fun,” Amanda called.

~

S urprised when Amanda handed him a bag of food, Kasey opened it to find a burger and fries from Frank’s. The local hamburger joint made amazing burgers. He hadn’t eaten on his flight and those shots he’d just downed would hit him hard if he didn’t eat more than a cupcake.

What a nice thing for Amanda to do. He peered over to see her sitting at the table with other men and women wearing lemur t-shirts.

He stepped around the bar and down the hall toward Mike’s office. His brother, Darcy, followed him. Mike’s office looked like a man cave. A PacMan machine took up one corner and a slot machine another. A tiny desk, only big enough for a laptop, was by the door with an executive chair. A big screen TV was mounted on one wall and a huge couch with cup holders faced it.

Kasey set the bag on the desk and snagged a couple of fries.

Darcy reached into the bag and got some for himself. “Mom wanted me to check on you.”

They didn’t have to shout to talk back here. The music could still be heard, but it was much quieter. Grabbing the burger out of the bag, Kasey folded back the paper and took a bite. He closed his eyes and savored the first delicious taste of the hot, double meat patties, bacon, cheese, and fried egg. It balanced perfectly with the tomato, lettuce, and pickles. And the homemade bun, house mayo and mustard made it the best burger in town. In probably any town. He’d never tasted better during his travels. “Damn, I haven’t had The Works in a while.”

“Remember when we begged Mom and Dad to get them for us when we were kids?” Darcy said.

“They only bought them on our birthdays.”

“In high school, most of my grass-mowing money paid for those burgers.”

With a laugh, Kasey took another bite.

“You going to tell me what happened?” Darcy questioned.

Kasey explained what he’d been through yesterday. “Claims she did it for ratings. Stings like hell, though.”

“And she taped it?”

“She called Star Breeze beforehand. They got the footage. It airs tomorrow.”

“How could Ethan do that?”

“I really can’t blame him. He’s young, and she is Harper Hastings. Wouldn’t you break bro-code for a chance with her?”

“I’d like to say I wouldn’t.” Darcy’s lips made a straight line. “But youth does make people do stupid things.” They discussed a call Darcy had been on earlier in the night and where Kasey would be shooting next as Kasey ate.

Darcy snatched the last of the burger from Kasey’s fingers and scarfed it down in one bite. “So good.”

Kasey finished the fries before his brother had a chance. One thing about the Hunter boys, they could eat.

Pulling out his phone, Darcy checked the screen then held it up for Kasey to see. “Mom keeps asking if you’re okay.”

“Tell her I’m fine and enjoying my night.” Which he strangely was prior to Harper dropping by. Thanks to Amanda.

“You want a ride home?” his brother asked.

“Not right now. Don’t worry, I took an Uber from the airport, so I’m not driving.”

Darcy left out the back door instead of going through the club. Kasey emerged from behind the bar as the music faded and then swelled into a fast country song. Dre and Quinn hurried away from one of the tables leaving Amanda by herself. He started toward her. Two people stopped him, wanting to take pictures. He took them quickly and excused himself.

Amanda stood and slid her purse on her shoulder by the time he got to her.

“Thank you for the food. I needed it.”

“You’re welcome.” She smiled.

He pointed to her purse. “Are you leaving?”

“No, I’ll wait around until closing time in case anyone needs a ride.”

“How about a game of pool?”

“Will your ego be able to handle it if I beat you?” she asked.

“Beat me?”

She shrugged.

“My ego will be fine.”

They moved through the crowd to an open table.

“Eight-ball?” He picked up two sticks and held one out to her.

“Sure.” She accepted the stick and set her purse down on a nearby pub table. She took a cue ball off the shelf and handed it to him before she grasped the one on the table. “Lag you for the break.”

He loved that she knew the rules.

Standing side by side, they softly hit their cue balls. Both hit the opposite rail and came back. Kasey’s hit his just the slightest bit too hard and it bounced off the rail. Amanda’s stopped an inch from the rail.

“Very nice.” He racked the balls as she put the extra cue ball back on the shelf.

She used a powder pouch on the stick and chalked the tip. She struck the cue ball like a pro and it smashed into the colored balls, sounding like a bullet discharging from a gun. One striped ball fell into the side pocket.

Impressed, Kasey raised his brows.

Amanda swiftly pocketed four striped balls and lined up the fifth. She was running the table on him. He might not even have a chance to take a shot.

She walked around and surveyed the table. Returning to the cue ball, she made a beautiful combination shot, sinking two balls.

The eight ball sat directly behind one of his balls.

Her concentration never strayed from the table. With a calculated expression, she studied the balls from every angle and took her stance. She raised her stick until it was perpendicular to the table and hit down on the cue ball. It jumped over his ball and landed half on the eight, just enough to send it crawling into the pocket.

A roar of excitement sounded behind him. He turned to find a crowd watching. Amanda shyly stored her stick. Was she embarrassed? He wasn’t. He had respect for anyone who possessed exceptional skill and could do something so well. “I didn’t realize you’d cause a crowd to gather.”

“You’d think they have more to do than watch us play pool.”

“They couldn’t help themselves. Neither could I. You play masterfully. I couldn’t take my eyes off of you.” He set his stick on the table. “Who taught you?”

“My dad and some of his friends.”

“They taught you well.”

She frowned, like she wasn’t very proud of that fact.

And he was left wondering why.

“Alcohol may be man’s worst enemy, but the Bible says love your enemy.” ~ Frank Sinatra