Page 32 of Lawton

I glanced down at the money. "That's for putting up with us."

"What do you mean?" she said. "You were totally nice to her."

"Yeah? And you weren't."

She drew back. "I was, too."

"Sure you were." I looked over at Amber. "Remember. Stay here, okay?" I pointed toward the money. "And make sure the waitress gets that."

Brittney huffed. "What do you think? That I'd steal her tip?"

"I don't know," I said. "Would you?"

She crossed her arms. "No."

"Good," I said.

Amber glanced toward the guys in the parking lot. "I still think I should go with you."

"Me too," Brittney said. "I mean, why should we miss all the fun?"

Ignoring Brittney, I turned back to Amber. "Don't worry," I said. "I've got this. Not a big deal." I gave her a smile. "Okay?"

She frowned. "I guess so."

Besides, I had a plan. Keep it low-key. The parking lot was lit, but it was still dark on the edges. There was no need for anyone to see anything. I'd talk to the guys, or if need be, do more than talk. Either way, it would be over in minutes.

And then I'd go back to thinking about Chloe.

I strode out behind a large, noisy group of customers who were just heading out. Once outside, I ditched the group and circled around to the side of the parking lot, sticking to the shadows. A few cars away from mine, I stopped and watched.

The guys were no longer circling my car. Instead, they were leaned up against the hood like they owned the thing. They were still watching the restaurant. Dumb-asses. I didn't know their names. But in my head, I'd given them my own nicknames, Juicer and Chrome.

I strolled up beside them. "Waiting for someone?"

They jumped. Together, they pushed away from the hood and whirled to face me. Chrome glanced around the parking lot. "Where'dyoucome from?"

I gave the guys a long look. Juicer was big in that steroid kind of way. Chrome was big, but maybe not a juicer. Unlike the other night, both guys looked sober.

I wasn't worried. But that didn't mean I wanted a scene. I stepped closer. "What do you want?"

The two guys exchanged a glance. The way it looked, I'd thrown them off their game, whatever it was.

But then, Juicer smiled. His teeth were too big and too white. Veneers, probably. He stepped forward. "I want to fuck your girlfriend."

Who? Amber?

I almost laughed. "Is that supposed to piss me off? Make me swing at you? Isthatthe plan?" I gave a sad shake of my head. "You're kidding, right?"

They exchanged another glance. And that's when I knew. Thatwastheir plan.

I'd seen it before, too many times. Like countless guys before them, they were a couple of local hot-shots who thought they were tough. They wanted to brag to their friends, or more likely the media, how they kicked Lawton Rastor's ass.

Yeah, good luck with that.

I crossed my arms. "I don't have a girlfriend." I flicked my head toward Chrome. "But hey, you can fuck your friend if you want."

Chrome muscled his way forward. "He's not my type."