Chapter 14
__________
Coty
It’s been a long week. Wish I could say it was boring and uneventful, but I can’t. The news channels have stopped sharing the footage from the church’s candlelight vigil. If Nick knows why they stopped, he’s not saying.
The social media posts continue. Mack extended the order of not going out alone until things die down some more around town. It’s a good thing, too. Willow Creek is a divided town. No fights have broken out. There have been several occasions where rude comments were shouted at our family members. Once again, no one says anything to a patched member. Our family members don’t respond. They walk away. They’re getting tired of it, though. It’s only a matter of time before someone explodes.
Kayla arrived at work a couple of hours ago. One of the prospects followed her to the Roadhouse while I helped out at the Den. Jack’s family is trying to get back to some sense of normal. Granddad is at the bar with Pops tonight. Jack and his dad are watching over the clubhouse. Nick was a little concerned with the crowd at Angie’s tonight. It’s where I’m heading. Bankz and Hendrix have things under control at the Roadhouse. They have eyes on Kayla at all times. I’ll head there once I’m sure Angie doesn’t need help.
Angie has a pretty big crowd tonight. I pull into the lot and park a few spaces from the front door. The side lot looks full. There must be a party going on inside.
“Rodeo!” Angie hurries from behind the counter to hug me when I step inside. “Good to see you.”
“Good to see you, too.” She sees me about twice a week. Her enthusiasm being this high might mean there’s a problem.
“How about a bacon cheeseburger tonight?” She grabs a set of silverware and a menu.
Okay. I was gone for two years and have only been back a few months. I’m a little rusty on hidden codes, if this is one. Bacon cheeseburgers are Jay’s favorite meal.
“How about your famous fried chicken with mashed potatoes and fried okra?” I tease.
“Good choice.” Angie pauses at the lower end of the front counter and hands the unnecessary menu and my order to one of her servers. Her eyes dart over her shoulder. “You know ‘em? Are they Mavericks?”
I glance at the front table in the back dining room. Two heavy-set men with scruffy beards are sharing a pizza and a couple of beers. Who comes to a country-style restaurant and orders pizza? Idiots, of course.
“Have they caused any trouble?”
“Nothing I can prove. They stare at a few tables, making customers uncomfortable. Two families asked to change their orders to go and left. They called and told me about it once they were in their cars.”
That’s not good. It’s not anything we can do anything about. I send a quick text to Nick. Hopefully, he can ID them.
“I don’t know their names. Unless something changed while I was gone, they’re not Mavericks. I’ve seen them at the races at The Field, but that was years ago.”
The party in the back starts singing Happy Birthday. I look over Angie’s head. Great. The Rhodes family is celebrating their oldest daughter, Daphene’s, birthday. The two men watch the party with interest. Their interest sends a chill down my spine.
“That’s another problem.” Angie hands me a glass of sweet tea. “Those two make Matthew Rhodes nervous.”
I take a sip of tea and casually search the party for Matthew. It looks like half the church members are with them tonight. Sure enough, Matthew is extremely uncomfortable.
“Well, Angie. I’m sure you know the Rhodes family really hates us right now. Whatever their beef is with Matthew isn’t our problem.” The preacher’s son is a jerk. I have no problem letting him get what’s coming to him. She should have called the cops, not us.
“I’m well aware, Rodeo.” She says, like I’m an idiot. “But this sure is.”
I follow her to the back dining room. She escorts me to a two-top table near the employee door to the kitchen. Customers rarely sit here. Vikings do when we’re here monitoring a situation for her, like tonight. One of those seats is already taken.
Angie pauses a few feet away, out of hearing range. ‘He showed up about half an hour ago.” She turns and places her hand on my arm. “He hates Matthew Rhodes. Please, don’t let him do anything stupid.”
“Don’t worry. I got him, “ I assure her.
“Both of your plates will be out shortly.” She relaxes a little and goes into the kitchen.
I consider calling Jack. His family’s still struggling and needs him. This wild-card McLeod might need him, too. Hopefully, I can handle this. If I can’t, I’ll call Hendrix. He’s closer.
I pull the chair out and sit down. “How’s it going, Jay?”
“I hate him.” Jay absent-mindedly stirs the straw around in his glass of tea. His eyes never leave the preacher’s son.
We seriously need to figure out what happened between these two. There was friction between them before Jack and I left. This is pure hate. Jay doesn’t go this dark on anyone without a good reason. From the sound of the knife flicking open and closed under the table, this isn’t the normal Jay McLeod. He’s Blade, a dark force I don’t recommend people meet. One wrong move, and Matthew Rhodes may die tonight.
Yeah. It’s a good thing Angie called Nick. Jack needs to know. I pull up his name and start typing.
Jay lays his hand over the phone screen. “Don’t call him. I’m fine.”
He’s not fine. Still, I stop typing and hold my phone below the table while Angie brings out our plates. She sees who I was trying to message and winks. Well, maybe I haven’t forgotten how to talk in code and hidden gestures.
“Can I get you boys anything else?”
“No, ma’am. We’re good.” I nudge Jay with my foot.
“No ma’am. This is great.” Jay gives her a tight smile. He would never intentionally be rude to Angie.
Finley notices us and leaves her date. Well, maybe she needs Angie. As long as Jay’s been here, I’m sure she’s seen him. Before she reaches us, Matthew grabs her arm.
“Don’t mess this up, Finley,” Matthew says.
“Just what am I messing up, Matthew?” Finley glares at her brother.
Jay slides to the edge of his chair, ready to pounce. He’s been waiting for a reason to go after Matthew. Being rude to your sister, or any woman, will have a Viking all over a man. Being the preacher’s son won’t save Matthew from Jay.
“You were told to stay away from them. Now, get back to your boyfriend before this one runs off, too.” Matthew slightly pushes Finley toward their table.
Jay’s on his feet. Angie and I move in front of him. If we weren’t in a public place, I’d let Jay loose on this jerk.
Finley pulls her arm away and steps back. “You get back to your girlfriend,” she snaps. Whoa. Good for her.
“Easy, Blade. Not here,” I whisper.
“I can drag him outside.” Jay doesn’t whisper.
Matthew glances at the two men across the room. He slightly puffs out his chest. Sadly for him, it doesn’t make him look threatening. “Look, McLeod. You and your family need to stay away from me and mine.”
“Can’t. Won’t.” Jay growls deep.
Matthew swallows hard. Fear briefly flashes in his eyes.
Angie sighs. She turns and smiles at Finley. “Finley, sweetie. Can I get you anything?”
“Yes, Miss Angie. We’d like more biscuits and honey butter, please.” She cuts her eyes at her brother. “Mom asked for them.”
Matthew huffs and storms back to their table. It’s the smartest move he’s made tonight. I release Jay when his body relaxes. Whew. That had me worried. There’s no way I could’ve stopped him if he went after Matthew. Jay’s taller, bigger, and definitely stronger than I am.
“Would your family like more jams and jellies too?” Angie’s always the server, no matter how much she wants to tell people off. Not Finley, though. She’s the sweetest member of her family.
“Yes, ma’am. A mixture, if you don’t mind. I’d really love extra blackberry, please.” Finley’s eyes lock with Jay’s before moving to mine. “Thank you, Coty. I hope you have a lovely evening.” She goes back to her family and pretends to enjoy their celebration.
Jay and I return to our table. The food looks great, but neither of us has an appetite. I flag one of the servers down and ask for two to-go boxes.
“You wanna go to the Roadhouse with me?” It’s best to get Jay out of here.
He shakes his head. “I’m going to make sure everyone gets home safely. I don’t trust Matt, and I sure don’t trust those two.” He glares at the two men.
“Racers?”
Jay shrugs one shoulder. “Sometimes. They bet more than they race.”
Awe. Matthew must owe them money. The preacher’s son used to slip off to The Field during the summer months. We definitely need to stay out of this. I couldn’t care less if Matthew’s debtors are hunting him down. I have better things to do tonight. My phone dings with a text.
Sparky:
I have to have dinner with my parents tomorrow. Rain Check.
I toss my phone on the table and slouch down in my chair. If I go to the Roadhouse now, I’ll cross lines and demand she talk to me. I vowed to do this at her pace. I’m an idiot. I’m trying to be gentle, like Jack is with Lily. I now understand his struggle. Being patient will drive a man insane.
“Looks like I’m with you tonight.” If I can’t have what I want, I can at least make sure my friend doesn’t end up in jail.