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Then he strode out of her bridal store as if the hounds of hell were hot on his heels.

Chapter Ten

Loud music drowning out streams of conversation. Couples gyrating on the dance floor. Others challenging each other at pool and darts. Bartenders slinging drinks as if they were born to do so, and a cold mug of draft beer leaving beads of perspiration on the tabletop.

It was just what Brick needed to shake off his long-ass week.

He made up his mind earlier that day that he wanted to kick off the weekend with an evening at his favorite bar and grill, but he knew if he went alone, he would spend the evening distracted. He started with the Alpha Team members, but Jay, Cole and Zane went home to their women. Wings had a date, and BB took off without really explaining what he was doing. He tried Sam and Gen next, but Sam was leery of leaving Aidan longer than he needed to. Gen also had a date.

The Delta Team were just returning from an op, but they were all open to blowing off steam. So Brick tagged along with Archer “Arrow” Winchester, Rock Davis, Dallas “Tex” Wittier, Wyatt “Rigger” Fancher, and Alexander “Lex” Bishop. Rock’s wife Hallie came as well, not wanting to leave her husband out of her sight longer than necessary. The others were like Brick, single and open to drinking a lot of beer and flirting with the eager women at The Torch Bar and Grill.

“Don’t look now, but you’ve got an admirer,” Hallie had her arm looped through her husband’s and leaned across Rock’s chest as she teased Brick. A cute little woman with a pixie haircut and round face, Hallie could be a helluva lot of fun once she had a couple of drinks in her. That’s usually why Rock kept her close when they went out.

Despite Hallie’s warning, Brick followed his friend’s line of sight to the two women sitting at the bar. He didn’t have to ask which one Hallie talked about because the leggy blonde wearing the too short denim skirt and red halter body suit didn’t bother to hide her appraisal of him. Her smile was coy, but the way she arched her body forward as she smiled at him, giving him a view of her substantial cleavage, was enough to give him the green light if he was interested.

Only he wasn’t. A few weeks ago, he would have charmed his way back to her place. Now, finishing his beer held more appeal.

“Okay, what is going on with you?” Hallie all but shouted at him, but the noise in the bar muted her tone.

“I’m too tired to deal with any drama.”

She rolled her eyes. “Puh-leeze. You’re drawn to the drama. You said it meant the woman would be a hellcat in bed.”

“Lay off, honey.” Rock pulled her close to his side and dropped a kiss to her hair. “Brick’s spent all week doing surveillance. That’s enough to make anybody tired and grumpy.”

“I’m not grumpy, asshole,” Brick mumbled.

Hallie sat back with a smug grin. “That’s not what’s wrong with him. What’s her name?”

Brick scowled. “Who are you talking about?”

Rock turned to his wife, bewildered. “Yeah, who are you talking about?”

“I’ve been around all of you enough to know there’s only one thing that twists you in a knot. The opposite sex. So spill it, Brick. What’s her name, and why aren’t you with her?”

Brick took a long swig of his beer. “Even if you were right, it would be none of your business. Shit, what is up with you and Gen? She’s been after me about my love life too. You women need something else to keep you busy.”

Rock smirked. “Hallie has plenty to keep her busy.”

She giggled as he nuzzled her neck, and Brick rolled his eyes even as he felt a stab of jealousy watching them.

“Seriously though, if this woman has you sitting here on a Friday night, drowning your sorrows in your beer, then she must be something special. So why aren’t you with her?”

Brick drained his beer and slapped his mug on the tabletop. “Alright, you want to know? Well, I’ll tell you. I met this woman who is probably my opposite in every way. I can’t stop thinking about her, but she has a damn boyfriend. That’s all there is to it, and now I’m going for a refill.”

“Brick, wait. I’m sorry. Come back,” Hallie called after him, but he didn’t stop his trek to the bar.

He was a bit harsher with Hallie than he should have been, and he would go back to apologize. But for now, he wanted to hold onto his misery.

The blonde didn’t take long to appear at his side, turning his mood even darker.

“So, my friends and I have this bet going, and I need your help in settling it.”

He glared at the woman, hoping she’d realize sooner rather than later that he wanted to be left alone.

“I’m Veronica, by the way.”

Nope. She didn’t take the hint.