17. Rooster #2
I couldn’t blame them for being uneasy. There was an air of mystery and intimidation to the place, and having a guard at the entrance gave it an extra layer of formidability. Nathan’s eyes were wide as he leaned in for a better look. “Holy shit. This place is ginormous.”
“Nathan!” Maggie scolded. “Language.”
“Sorry, but geez.”
“It looks bigger than it is.” I parked, then opened my door as I told them, “Come on. I’ll show you around.”
Maggie was visibly shaken as she nodded and opened her door. Without saying a word, she and the kids followed me up to the door. Knowing they were all a little nervous, I stopped and asked, “Remember when I said not to judge a book by its cover?”
Samantha and Nathan nodded.
“Well, this is one of those times.”
I opened the door, and their eyes were filled with intrigue as they stepped inside.
I took them down the hall to my room first. It was small, with just a bed and dresser, so the tour didn’t take long.
From there, I led them down to the kitchen and family room.
Just as I expected, the kids were stoked to see all the TVs and pool tables.
Nathan made a beeline for the dart board as he gasped, “This place is awesome.”
“I thought you would like it.”
“Can we hang out in here for a little while?”
“Absolutely.” I glanced over to Maggie as I added, “That’s if it’s okay with your mother.”
“You promise to stay right here and not to wander?”
“Yes, ma’am,” they both answered.
“Nathan, do you have your cell phone?” When he nodded, she told him, “Okay, just call me if you need anything.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“The kitchen is to your left. Help yourself to anything in the fridge, and if you need either of us, we’ll be down at the bar... just down the hall on the right.”
By then, Samantha was racking the balls for a game of pool, and Nathan was searching for a cue stick. But they both managed to answer, “Yes, sir.”
Maggie hesitated for a moment but eventually looked up at me and said, “I think they’re good.”
“Yeah, I think so too, but I’ll come back in a bit to check on them.”
“Okay, sounds good.”
We both started down the hall and the second we stepped into the bar, Torch lifted his beer and said, “There he is. I was beginning to think you guys weren’t gonna make it.”
“Somebody had a hard time figuring out what to wear.”
“Well, I don’t know if I would’ve gone with that ugly ass shirt, but the jeans and boots are alright.”
“Fuck off, Torch.” I slipped my hand around her back, easing her forward. “This is Maggie. And Maggie, this is Torch, Q, and Savage.”
“It’s really nice to meet you.”
“You, too.”
Q gave her the once over, then asked, “So, you’re Rooster’s ol’ lady, huh?”
“I really don’t know how all that works.” Maggie glanced over at me with a smile. “But yeah, I guess you could say that.”
“Hmmm.” Q cocked his brow. “You look like a smart girl. I’d think you’d know better than to get tangled up with this guy.”
“I don’t know about that,” Maggie giggled with a shrug. “I happen to think he’s pretty great.”
“Ah, give it some time,” Q chuckled.
“Come on, brother. Don’t do me like that.”
“Awe, she knows I’m just messing around.”
Before he had a chance to say anything more, Londyn and Jules came over and introduced themselves.
They barely said two words before they snatched her up and took her over to their table.
They got her a drink, and in no time, the trio was carrying on like old friends.
Seeing that she was good, I grabbed myself a beer and sat down with the guys.
“Damn, brother.” Torch motioned his head over to Maggie and the other girls. “You did good.”
“Yeah, I know.”
“She seems to be fittin’ right in.”
“Seems so.” I glanced over my shoulder, and I couldn’t help but feel a sense of pride as I watched Maggie laugh at something one of the ol’ ladies had said. “I can’t say I’m surprised. She has a way with folks.”
“So, what’s her story?”
“Not much to tell. She’s divorced, has two kids, and works at a salon on the square.”
“And you met at the movies?”
“Yeah, something like that.”
Savage said something, but I didn’t hear him.
My focus was still on Maggie. Her face was overly animated, and I let out a chuckle when I realized she was telling Londyn and Jules about Samantha and the burnt marshmallows.
I continued to enjoy the show even after I heard Savage tease, “Ah, man. He’s got it bad. ”
He was right.
I did have it bad, and I was working hard to get to her the way she’d gotten to me.
I was doing pretty well until Beckett walked in with Addison and Michele, and as usual, they were both scantily dressed and looking for a good time.
They trailed behind Beckett as he meandered over to the counter and sat down next to Torch.
For the first night in days, he seemed to be doing okay. I’d hoped the girls would stick with him, but Addison had other plans. Her eyes locked on mine, and I knew she was about to head my way. Before I could stop her, she was by my side and had her arm around my neck. “Hey, Roost. How’s it going?”
“It’d be going better if you’d go back over and hang with Beck.”
“But I thought we could...”
“Not interested, Addy.” I kept my voice low and stern. “Just go.”
“Okay, suit yourself.”
Disappointment marked her face as she turned and headed back over to Beckett. When I was certain that she’d gotten the point, I glanced over at Maggie and found her glaring at me with a look of heartbreak in her eyes. Damn. I’d tried to put the fire out, but the damage had already been done.