Happily Ever Alpha: Until Nox (Kindle Worlds) (Hyde Series Book 3) Read online

  “Figured.” I picked up my glass and met the man’s eyes, lifting it in a silent thanks before knocking back half.

  Harlow turned away to take care of another customer before quickly spinning back, her red hair flying with the sudden movement. “Wait, if you’re here, does that mean Kase is coming?”

  “Aye, he told me to meet him here. Why?”

  “Balls,” she whispered. “What time is it?”

  “After seven.”

  “Balls, balls, balls,” she repeated. “I’ve gotta go.” As soon as she turned away, there was a deep chuckle behind me.

  “Too late, ipo.” Kase sat on the stool next to mine, his eyes on his lass.

  Her shoulders went tight, and when she peered over one, her face was scrunched. “Okay, so what happened was—”

  “You got antsy at home, lied to Rhys about me knowing you were working a shift, and lied to me about what you were up to today?”

  “When you say it like that, it sounds worse than it is.”

  “You’re a shit liar,” Kase said, not looking slightly bothered.

  “I’m not.”

  “Aye,” I said, thinking about how she’d tried telling me her foot on Rick was a kinky sex thing. “You are.”

  “Balls. I need to work on that.” Smiling at Kase, she gave him a beer. “If it helps, I was planning on being home by the time you got there. I just lost track of time.”

  “It’s supposed to help that you were planning on being better at lying and sneaking?”

  She threw her hands out, and I caught sight of something glinting under the bar light. “Once again, when you say it like that, it sounds worse than it is.”

  Kase chuckled and leaned forward. “Kiss me, ipo.”

  “Now, that sounds good.”

  I downed my drink, blocking out whatever he said to her that made her giggle. Since her face was bright red when she refilled my glass, I knew it’d been the right choice.

  “What’s the plan?” she asked Kase. At his smile, her face got redder and she rushed to add, “Right now. Are we leaving?”

  He shook his head. “I’m gonna have a few with Nox.”

  “I’ll keep working then.” She hooked her thumb toward her boss. “He had to fire another girl last night.”

  When she walked away and turned so he couldn’t stare at her ass anymore, Teo looked my way.

  “Saw the ring. Congrats.” I held out my glass.

  Grinning like a header, he tapped his bottle against it. “Thanks, man. After everything… I was done waiting.”

  I thought about Gus. Then I thought about her damn voicemail and scowled.

  Teo’s eyes had found their way to his lass again. “I texted Lars before I left work. If he can get away from his club, he’s gonna come have a drink.”

  “Good.”

  “Jake and his wife are on their way, too.”

  Lars and I had stayed tight after prison. Kase had been different. He’d always have our back, but he’d moved on to a different group of friends.

  A different life.

  I didn’t fault him. Lars didn’t, either. Because, while Lars and I had earned our time, Kase hadn’t. He’d gotten locked up after taking the fall for his sister. After getting his freedom early, he’d been lucky enough to settle into a normal life.

  A big part of that was thanks to Jake Hyde. He’d given Kase a job at his custom garage with no hesitation or mistrust. They were tight.

  Knowing even the little I did about his friends, I meant it when I said, “I’m looking forward to meeting them.”

  Within fifteen minutes, our growing group was sitting at a high top that’d been positioned close to the bar. I had a feeling the spot had little to do with convenience and more to do with Kase’s eagle-eye on his lass.

  Leaning back with my drink, I silently scanned our table.

  He’d ditched his suit coat and rolled up his sleeves, but Lars was still dressed in trousers and a crisp shirt. Like Rhys—and likely myself—he had the knackered look of a man who owned his own business and dealt with the shit-ton of stress that went along with it.

  Teo was heavily tattooed, with pulled-back dreads and clothes covered in grease and paint. That didn’t stop some women from looking, but I was betting if they did more, Harlow would jump the bar to show what kinda damage she could do—even without the heels.

  Business owner or not, Jake Hyde didn’t look knackered. And since he couldn’t seem to go longer than thirty seconds without touching his wife, it was easy to guess how he dealt with his stress after a long day.

  At first glance, his wife looked like a dote who didn’t fit in with the motley bunch. But she did. Piper was a funny lass in her early twenties who was tattooed, smelled like cake, and kept leaning into her husband to encourage those touches.

  Seeing Jake with his wife was a reminder of what I wanted. It was proof that a sweet lass could love a rough lad, fook the differences.

  I scrubbed my palm down my face, turning away from the happy couple. Based on what little I knew, they’d more than earned their slice of beauty in a lot of ugly.

  But I didn’t want it in my face.

  I’d come out to scotch-soak my brain and try to forget about Gus for the night. I’d go home and crash, too knackered and drunk to think about how fookin’ empty it was without her.

  Hopefully, somewhere between the two, some prick would start a fight I could finish. I was on edge, ready for it.

  And I wasn’t doing a good job hiding the fact.

  Movement at the other side of the table caught my attention. Piper had shifted toward Jake, smiling as he curled his hand around her throat, his thumb rubbing her jaw. She whispered something to him before standing and walking to the bar.

  Kase had been chill as he’d nursed his beer, but the longer he looked my way, the tenser he got. “The fuck is going on with you, man? You’re scowling like you’ve got hail blowing up your kilt.”

  “You with the fookin’ kilt. I’m gonna buy you one as a wedding present.”

  “You should. I bet Harlow would be into it. Where do you get yours? Scots ‘R’ Us?”

  “Already told ya, never worn the damn thing in my life. They don’t make them long enough. It’d be indecent, hanging out like a wee bit shorter third leg.”

  Kase laughed before leaning closer. “Seriously, though, is it the shit with Nash?”

  “Nah. Nash is living his own sick life. I’m still watching like you asked, but so far, nothing.”

  “Then why’re you mean muggin’ everyone?” Slowly, he grinned. “Only thing that can fuck a man up like this is a woman. Either she’s got your heart or she’s stealing your fuckin’ soul.”

  I tipped my head. “Is there a difference?”

  His eyes went back to his lass. “Not if you’re lucky.”

  Jake’s focus was locked on Piper, but he rumbled, “Damn fuckin’ lucky.”

  We’re a sad fookin’ lot.

  Dragging his attention from Harlow, Kase picked up his beer. “Who is she?”

  “I came to get my mind off her, not lead Heartbreak Storytime.”

  “Yeah, and how’s that working for you?”

  He’s got a point.

  “Fook off,” I said.

  “That’s what I thought.”

  I lifted my glass to my mouth, extending my middle finger as I did.

  “He’s not gonna let this go,” Jake said. “You’re better off just telling him so he’ll drop it, yeah?”

  “Fookin’ hell.” I glared at Kase, muttering, “I forgot what a pain in the ass you are.”

  Grudgingly, I gave the bullet points about Gus.

  When I finished, Lars asked, “She saw your gun?”

  “Aye.”

  He lifted his beer but paused to shake his head. “I’ve had some girls see mine and get hot, gagging for it.”

  “That’s surprising,” Kase said. “You know, since it’s so little.”

  Lars always had a DoubleTap strapped to his an
kle. It was a small weapon, but powerful.

  It was Lars’ turn to flip him off. “It does the job, asshole.”

  Raising his brows, Kase leaned back. “You sure? When’s the last time you had someone else check?”

  Lars scowled hard enough to prove Kase wasn’t wrong. “What I’m saying is, she doesn’t sound like the type to get horny for a gun.”

  “She’s not,” I confirmed.

  “Do you think that’s part of why she’s staying gone?” Kase asked, following Lars’ train of thought. “‘Cause she’s freaked?”

  “Not all of us are cocky bastards who think lasses’ lives revolve around us.” Rubbing my beard, I thought about it. “She’s in school to be some fookin’ numbers wizard. I’ve seen her work and it makes my head hurt, but she’s got near perfect grades. She’s not giving that up because she’s scared. If that’s all it was, she’d get in my face and tell me to fook off. She’s staying gone because of her sick nan.”

  “Does she know what you do?”

  Nah, and neither do you.

  “She hasn’t asked. Figured we’d talk when she got back, but now she’s not coming home.” I downed the last of my drink. “The end. We done with story time now?”

  “No.” Kase leaned back and smiled at his woman before tilting his head. Meeting my eyes again, he asked, “Have you talked to her since she’s been there?”

  “Aye. Mostly texting, but we’ve talked. She asks how I am, but never what I’m doing.”

  “Would you tell her the truth if she did?”

  “Aye,” I repeated.

  Piper came and dropped off three new beers, pausing for a minute near Jake. “I expect a tip.”

  Putting his hand on her ass, Jake lowered his voice—just not enough—and said, “Givin’ you more than the tip, sweets.”

  As she walked away, I asked, “She owns a bakery attached to your garage?”

  Jake nodded. “Yeah, why?”

  “Assuming not a lot of work gets done.”

  He lifted his beer, smiling. “You’d assume correctly.”

  We fell silent for a minute as she returned with my scotch, stopping again to talk to Jake about something with her bakery.

  I thought we’d moved on from Gus and me, but then Kase asked, “Does she know you’re into her?”

  “They’re fookin’ hitched, lad.” Acting obtuse, I gestured to Jake. “I’m sure the lass knows her husband is into her.”

  Kase rolled his eyes. “Gus, you asshole. Does Gus know you’re into her?”

  I glowered at him. It was a look that’d made men piss themselves—literally.

  But Teo just smiled.

  Scrubbing my palm down my face, I groaned. “I thought we were done with this shit.”

  “And I said I’m not done. Does she?”

  “It’s not like I’ve hidden it.”

  “But you never told her?”

  “Fookin’ hell,” I muttered, reaching for my scotch.

  Jake grabbed it before I could.

  “I’m not driving.” I tried for it again.

  He handed it off to someone passing by. “Don’t care. Gus was livin’ with you after catchin’ the prick across the hall with another chick, yeah?”

  “Aye. And what kinda jackeen would I be to give the lass a place to stay and then hit on her? I didn’t want her to feel like she owed me. Or move out because she wasn’t comfortable. I might be a bastard and an asshole, but I’m not a prick.”

  Kase tilted his head. “Good point.”

  “Glad we fookin’ agree I’m not a gobshite.”

  “I forgot how thick your accent gets when you’re heated or drunk.”

  “Aye, and I’m both. Speaking of…” I signaled to Harlow that I needed another drink but turned in time to see Jake shake his head at her. “The hell?”

  “Gus doesn’t know you want her,” he told me.

  “She knows.”

  “She doesn’t.”

  “I didn’t say the words or wave my dick in her face, but she knows.”

  Jake leaned forward. “Piper and I had been fuckin’ for a while. I was in love with her… no, fuckin’ obsessed with her. In deep and forever. I thought it went without sayin’ that we were it. But while I was shoppin’ rings, she was thinkin’ we’re fuck buddies. Showin’ how you feel is important, but so is tellin’ her. She’s not a mind reader, yeah?”

  Like her ears were burning, Piper chose that moment to approach the table, grinning. “That sounds familiar.”

  Jake snagged her around the waist and pulled her down onto his lap. “I pay attention.”

  “You definitely do.” Not making a move to get up, Piper settled in. “Who’re we talking about?”

  “No one—” I tried, but the three of them filled her in, barely letting me get a word out.

  Piper smiled at me. “They’re gossipy.”

  “So I’ve fookin’ noticed.”

  She lifted a shoulder. “They do have a point, though.”

  “Let’s say you’re right,” I started, unconvinced. “What do I do? Call and demand she ditch her nan to come home? I’m not that thick.”

  “No. You should go see her.”

  I barked out a harsh laugh. “So I can be an off my nut stalker and thick? Nah, lass, I’m good.”

  If Kase’s balls had been big when he’d smiled at my glare, they were nothing compared to the stones Piper showed when she gave me a look that said she didn’t think I was thick.

  She knew I was.

  These lads have their hands full.

  Lucky bastards.

  Speaking like I was a child, Piper dumbed it down. “Gus up and left her entire freakin’ life behind to take care of her grandma. If things are that bad, don’t you think she needs support? This has nothing to do with you wanting in her pants or making her your woman. If you care about her like you say, why wouldn’t you go be there for her?”

  “Aye, I want to. But I can’t just show—”

  “Sure you can.”

  “She’ll think—”

  “That you’re amazing.”

  “No, she’ll feel—”

  “Like she has support and someone to lean on.”

  “Can I finish a sentence, lass?” I asked, though my tone didn’t hold the same annoyance my words did.

  “Sorry, bad habit I picked up from someone.” Grinning, Piper tilted her head back toward Jake. “Anyway, no, you can’t finish a sentence because you’re being stupid and time is limited.”

  “Stupid?”

  Massive balls.

  Spinning her index finger in a small circle, she listed off other insults. “Hardheaded. Shortsighted. Thick. Whatever. Point is, I’m not saying you should dramatically carry her off into the badass sunset. Go and be there for her because she’s in pain. Unless I’m reading this wrong and you’re just moping because you didn’t get laid. In which case,” she spun her finger in a larger circle, gesturing to the room, “have at it and leave the poor girl alone.”

  “That’s not what this is.”

  “Then go. If something more happens between you guys, that’s kickass. But you should still be there because you care. It’s not gonna freak her out. She’ll be too happy to think twice about it.” Grabbing Jake’s beer, she took a big swig before shrugging. “‘Course, being around all those southern gentlemen types, she’s probably got lots of dudes offering her their shoulders. And other things.”

  Before she finished her sentence, I’d already tossed my keys to Lars, dropped some bills on the table, and was heading for the door.

  Even over the crowd, her laughter followed me.

  Massive balls made of fookin’ brass.

  I bet Gus will like her.

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  BE AS EXTRA AS GUAC

  GUS

  “I HAVEN’T EVEN HAD MY COFFEE YET. I’m not talking about this.”

  At my excuse, my meema rolled her eyes so hard, I worried it’d cause more damage. As it was, the left eye didn’t move quit
e the same as the right. “Yeah, well the damned doctors won’t even let me have my tea. So you’re getting no sympathy from me, Augusta Anne Allan.”

  Someone had chosen that moment to enter the room, and there was a chuckle on the other side of the privacy curtain before it was drowned out by the sink. When they finished washing their hands, the curtain was moved, and a young guy stepped in.

  Tall and classically handsome, he was dressed in pristine slacks, a button down, and a white coat that had the hospital’s emblem embroidered on the breast. He flashed a grin as he looked between us. “Full name? Someone’s in trouble.”

  Before he’d entered, I’d told Meema my plans to move back in with her. Plans I’d thought she’d be happy about, given all that’d happened. Instead, she’d immediately launched into a tirade about how I’d cramp her style. It’d been said with love, despite how many times she’d called me a pain in her rear.

  With the good-looking doctor in the room, a switch flipped, and Meema’s tune changed. “No, I was just giving my granddaughter a hard time. She’s never in trouble, even as a little girl. Always so sweet. Have you met her yet?”

  Carol Anne, thy name is never subtlety.

  “No, I haven’t.” He reached a hand out to me. “Matt Collins, I’m a resident here. Nice to meet you, Augusta Anne Allan.”

  I fought the urge to glare at Meema, and instead corrected, “Gus. Everyone calls me Gus.”

  “Then nice to meet you, Gus.” He smiled, holding my hand for a moment too long before finally dropping it. “I met your grandma earlier while you were getting breakfast, but she asked me to come back once you were here.”

  I’m sure she did.

  “I’m still foggy,” she explained, going for full dramatics. “I didn’t want to miss anything important.”

  The doctor gave her a charming smile, which I was sure worked on all the ladies, regardless of age. “An extra set of ears is always a good idea. We’ve got some news. The last scan showed a lot of improvement.” After typing in his information, he twisted the wall mounted laptop so we could see it. He opened black and white images that I didn’t understand but still made me nauseous to look at. Pointing out different things, he summed up by saying, “Bottom line, the medically induced coma did as we wanted. It took enough strain off your system to give your body time and energy to heal.”