Page 34 of Lawton

Was that her boyfriend? Or just a customer?

The guy looked too damn happy. What was she telling him?

In front of me, Juicer said, "You're dead meat," and plowed forward, head first.

I hit him again. He doubled over, and then stumbled backward a couple of steps.

Just fall over already.

From the pavement, a few feet away, Chrome was trying to push himself up. I gave him a quick glance. Eh, nothing to worry about. I looked back to Juicer. By now, he was wobbling, swaying from side-to-side like he'd had five beers too many.

Around us, the crowd grew silent, as if waiting for him fall over and be done with it.

One good punch, and I could finish him off. From the corner of my eye, I saw Chloe, standing there with wide eyes and parted lips.

Like the rest of the crowd, she was watching and waiting. I glanced at Juicer. He staggered to the side, but somehow managed to keep his balance. Yeah, I could finish this. But if I hit the guy in his condition, what would she think of me then?

Shit. What did she think of me now?

A cold rage settled over me. I hadn't asked for this. And if this idiot was ruining my chances with Chloe, he deserved whatever he got.

In the distance, I heard something new. Sirens. The crowd shifted, but held its ground, buzzing with the usual sounds. The phones were being held up higher now. Waiting for my arrest, probably.

How much would the tabloids pay for that?

Fuck.

Slowly, I walked forward. I wrapped an arm around the guy's neck and spoke low into his ear. "Try this shit again, and next time, you'll be losing those pretty white teeth."

The guy tried to laugh. It came out too high and too loud. "Oh yeah? Well try it, and you're dead."

I made a scoffing sound. "Like that scares me."

The sirens were louder now. They were almost here. Juicer glanced at his friend, then at the crowd, and then back at me. Finally, with muttered curses, he wobbled off, stopping just long enough to help Chrome off the pavement.

Together they shuffled toward a dark SUV with even darker windows. Chrome struggled into the passenger's seat while Juicer got behind the wheel. Seconds later, the vehicle squealed off, leaving the whole mess behind them.

What a cluster.

Around me, the crowd was closing in, wanting the usual stuff – autographs, pictures, congratulations. Screw that. Silently, I walked toward my car. Brittney and Amber followed after me. I stopped, opened the passenger door and waited as they climbed inside, settling next to each other on the wide front seat.

Finally, I walked around to the driver's side and got in. Through the windshield, I gave Chloe one last look. She was staring straight at me now. I sucked in a breath. I knew she couldn't see more than my shadow, if that. But I could see her just fine. Those eyes. Those lips. I felt myself swallow.

It had never been this way, not with any other girl. Whatwasit about her? It wasn't just her looks. It was something more, something better. I wanted to wrap her up and carry her away. I wanted to make her mine and spoil the snot out of her. Not with money. The way it looked, she had plenty of her own.

No. To win this girl, I'd need to bring something else. But what?

She was still looking. And so was I.

A hand on my knee broke the spell. I turned to look. It was Brittney. She gave my knee a squeeze. Her voice was breathless as she said, "You are such a bad-ass."

I brushed aside the hand and reached for the key in the ignition. Whatever Brittney said next was drowned out by the rumble of the engine, followed by the squeal of tires as I roared out of the lot. I glanced in the rear-view mirror, but didn't see what I was looking for – Chloe.

She was gone.

Again.

Chapter 17