Chapter 21
TWENTY-ONE
Mac’s laughter resonates throughout the entire restaurant.
Tally is sitting across from me and can’t help but break into a grin as she nibbles on a piece of the chocolate I brought her.
Shannon hovers in the corner of the restaurant, watching us, but I’m used to just ignoring her by now, although I can feel how her mistrust of me is growing.
Stay in your lane, and I will stay in mine.
I let out an exasperated sigh, letting my head sink onto my hands resting on the table. “I know, okay? I was stupid,” I groan out, frustration evident in my voice.
Between fits of laughter, Mac manages to speak, “That wasn’t just stupid, Mouse. That was borderline suicidal.”
I sit up straight, defending myself, “Hey, how was I supposed to know it takes more than one person to water a boat? I can handle driving a car out of the shop by myself just fine.”
Tally, amused by my predicament, chimes in, “The fact that it’s a forty-foot boat that weighs at least ten thousand pounds should have been a clue.”
“Fine, okay? I messed up, I get it,” I admit, my exasperation still evident. “But seriously, what should I have done? Ask Satan for help? I would rather—”
“Die? We know. You nearly did.” Mac’s tone changes from amusement to sternness without missing a beat, leaving me feeling a sudden shift in the atmosphere.
Tally leans in closer, her bright blue eyes locking onto mine as she pries, “But she didn’t, thanks to Nash coming to her rescue. Spill the tea. Was it just a one-night stand with him, or are you looking for something more?”
“She slept with baby Jones?” Mac interjects, somewhat shocked.
I shoot her a glare.
How many people does she want to tell this funny little tidbit?
Tally grins mischievously, confirming, “Oh, she did, and he’s itching for a repeat. Tim is in his crew, and he texted me earlier about how Nash couldn’t stop talking about needing to take another spin on that ride all day.”
My frown deepens as I mutter, “He said what? That little fucker.”
Who does he think he is?
Tally continues, reveling in the gossip, “Sounds like he’s got it bad. Nash doesn’t usually go for seconds. Every girl around here knows that.”
Is this guy walking around town with a cardboard sign that says, I’m gonna rock your world just once, then you can go fuck off?
If so, why haven’t I seen it?
I scoff, my irritation showing. “No, it sounds like I’m some new and shiny toy to him, and he can go fuck himself. It’s never gonna happen again.”
Tally grins. “Sure.” Then she adds, “Hunter would be a much better option anyway.”
I roll my eyes at that. “I’ve already told you, I’m not fucking any more Joneses.”
Even if it’s a shame.
Mac adds with a sly grin, “Not even Daddy Jones?”
God, he’s like a hot, brooding daddy, isn’t he?
I chuckle and clarify, “You mean Satan? He fucking hates me, and the feeling is mutual.”
Mac just nonchalantly shrugs and remarks, “I know. But hate sex can be pretty damn good.”
Of course, that prompts my mind to dive into the gutter.
Fuck. I bet hate sex with him really would be amazing.
Tally giggles and chimes in, “I don’t know much about hate sex, but I can confirm that North is undeniably hot. All of them are.”
“True,” I agree reluctantly. “It’s unfair how someone so ugly on the inside can be that attractive.”
I can’t even imagine how hot that guy could be if he ever decided to drop the whole asshole act. Then again, maybe his attitude is part of what makes him so hot.
What do I know?
“Have you heard about Saylor Jones?” Tally asks, and I nod in response.
“He was the most handsome and kindest of them. We went to school together, and I used to have a little crush on him before Tim swept me off my feet when his family moved here in the last year of high school. If he were around, I bet he would’ve been your favorite. ”
Gosh, I’m glad he isn’t here right now.
I would never hear the end of it.
“I’ve only heard nice things about him,” I tell her instead, hoping he will not pop out of thin air at this moment like he usually does. He vanished while I was shopping for Tally’s chocolate earlier.
Tally’s eyes well up with tears as she recalls, “Oh, he was nice, so nice. And funny. It’s such a shame…
” She trails off, and I reach out to squeeze her hand.
She quickly composes herself, pops the last piece of chocolate into her mouth, and stands.
“Come on, guys. The first customers will be coming in soon,” Tally reminds us, and true to her word, they arrive shortly after we finish preparing for the dinner shift.
To my dismay, our first customers are none other than Tim, Nash, and two other fishermen who had helped us earlier with the boat.
Fan-fucking-tastic.
“Hey, baby,” Tim greets Tally with a warm smile, planting a kiss on her forehead before crouching down to place his hands on her belly. He coos, “Hey, little Timmy.”
Tally swats him on the head, sighing. “How many times do I have to tell you…”
Tim stands and turns to me with a wide grin on his face. “Hey, Tarzan, I heard all about your little vine swing around the yard.”
Nash and the two guys beside him chuckle.
Oh, you’re going to regret that, buddy.
I grin right back at Tim and tease in the same tone he used on Tally’s baby belly, “Hey, little Timmy, so good to see you.”
Tally can’t hold back a giggle, and Tim shoots me a glare. “What the fuck, Sloan?”
“Oh, you don’t like that? Such a shame, little Timmy.”
“I thought we were friends, woman,” Tim mutters as he pulls Tally into a side hug.
I shrug nonchalantly, smirking. “We are, but I like her more,” I note, pointing at the woman in his arms.
Tim laughs and concedes, “That’s fair. I like her more too.” He leans down to kiss Tally long and passionately.
“Well, that’s getting awkward, so do you guys want a table?” I turn to the two fishermen standing with Nash, who nod. “Follow me.”
I lead them to a table for four next to a window, where they sit, handing each a menu, but Nash doesn’t take it from me. Instead, he puts his hand on the back of my thigh and pulls me closer to him. The warmth of his palm over my jeans sends shivers down my spine, though I refuse to acknowledge it.
“You haven’t even said hello to me, pretty girl,” he pouts up at me, attempting to be cute. But I’m still annoyed hearing about his “taking another spin” comment, which dampens any potential charm.
“I’ve seen you twice today already,” I reply tersely, almost thrusting the menu into his face before swiftly stepping out of his grasp.
“Sloan, I don’t think I introduced you to the guys this morning,” Tim announces as he and Tally approach the table. “This is my crew, Adam and Steven. And you know this dickhead,” he adds, pointing at Nash.
Nash responds with a playful smile, “Oh, she does.”
I swat him over the head with the remaining menu before I hand it to Tim and turn to head for the kitchen, where Mac is standing with a knife in hand. His smirk looks dangerous as he asks, “Do I need to wash the baby Jones’s head for you, Mouse?”
I chuckle and assure him, “Thanks, I’ve got it.”
His grin widens as he teases, “The offer stands.”