Page 22 of Second Sets Omnibus

“Compromise?” Kieran asks, leaning against the counter with a lazy grin. He watches with glee as Van scratches under his nose and furrows his brows, staring at a glistening spot on his hand. “Was it over that chick?”

Great. I’m that chick now.

Van shifts uncomfortably, still staring at the spot on his hand when he shrugs again. “Um, nah. Dad handed me a check and told me to focus on my real future. So, it was money or the band. Ya know?”

Kieran scoffs, curling his lip back. “You chose money over the band?”

Van scowls. “Yeah. And what would you do, huh? It was take the money and go to college. Or he was going to kick my ass out. Money trumped the band. I needed school. I didn’t need the music.” He shakes his head, scratching under his nose again, and recoils. With furrowed brows, Van discreetly licks along the wet spot on his hand and jerks back, staring daggers in my direction, but remains rooted in place.

“Any true musician knows the music lives in their souls. It’s the fuel for life, man. You can’t just give that up for some green. That’s like throwing something away you love just because your parents say so.” Kieran side-eyes me, and I roll my eyes toward the ceiling, counting down the seconds until Van marches out of here and takes Kieran with him. I got off, and now they can fuck off.

When Van takes a deep breath and his nostrils flare, a twinkle sparkles in Kieran's mismatched eyes. Immediately he turns beet red, stopping the conversation when he shoves the records across the counter.

He pulls out two twenties and tosses them at me without care. “Keep the change,” he says through gritted teeth, yanking his confused as fuck brother along. Dillon awkwardly waves over his shoulder, cursing his brother when he shoves him out the door. And once again, I’m left alone with my kryptonite.

Kieran hums, watching them go, and then walks back around the L-shaped counter. He stops in front of my bewildered face and bops my nose with his index finger, grinning like a fucking madman. Which I’m coming to realize he is.

“That was fun, River Blue. We should do it again,” he rasps, leaning in to kiss my cheek. The warmth of his lips lingers on my cheek, and my damn body shudders from the contact.

“Don’t get too eager. Who says I’ll ever let you touch me again? This was a one-time thing,” I murmur, leaning my elbow into the counter and inadvertently leaning into his kiss.

He snorts, waving his hand. “See you tonight. But don’t make any plans for after your shift.”

I scoff. “Asshole, I get off at two in the morning, and then I’m going home.” He raises a brow, waltzing towards the front door leisurely.

“Don’t make any plans,” he all but demands with a possessive growl, spearing right through me.

“Fine.” I shrug like he didn’t make my pussy fucking gush at the sound of his growl. “But you better up your game, Richy.” He scowls at the nickname, shaking his head.

“It’s Kieran, not Richy,” he mumbles.

“Yeah, I’m River, not your River Blue or whatever other nicknames you can think of. Remember that. In fact, if you are so inclined, get on your damn knees and worship me next timewe meet. I’d be highly disappointed if you didn’t. How’s that for taking charge?” I demand, putting the bills into the register and shoving the change into my pocket.

“You’ll always be my River Blue,” he says with a smirk. “And I’ll make good on that.”

And with that, Kieran walks out the door and gets into the passenger seat of the large Tahoe parked on the other side of the road. I watch through the bright windows as they silently sit until Ash’s mouth moves, and they start a discussion. I wish I could be a fly on the damn car ceiling to hear whatever they were saying.

My heart aches in my chest at his sudden reemergence. For so long, I told myself to forget about Kieran Knight. Yet here he is in the flesh, laying down some sort of claim on me like he has any damn right. What’s so different now than before? Why is he coming at me so hard with everything he has and stamping his name on my forehead?

I’m pulled from my thoughts as the bell rings over the door again. I frown, staring at the last culprit I thought I’d ever see again. Van comes back through the door with determination etched on his face as he marches up to me.

“Don’t trust those assholes,” he grits his teeth. “Whatever they say to you, they’re lying,” he says, slamming a fist onto the counter. “Believe me, they’ll screw you over faster than you can count to three, Rivey,” he pleads, clenching his teeth.

I nod my head, looking at them through the tall window. They stare over this way. Asher’s mouth flaps a few times, and the others stare, waiting in the car, inspecting everything we do with a keen eye.

“Yeah? Just like you, Van?” I hum, leaning my elbow on the counter.

“Yeah, Riv,” he sighs, running a hand down his face. “Just like that, trust me on this.” His voice sounds urgent, and his eyes plead with me to believe him.

I snort. “Right. Trust you? You’re joking, right? Well, I’m a big girl, Van. I’ve got this. Thanks for your concern.”

“Damnit, Rivey, you’re too stubborn,” he mutters, cursing under his breath. “I’m serious. Whatever they’re hanging around for, they’re going to use you. That’s all they do is use people for what they want.”

“Huh, sounds familiar,” I say, tilting my head toward the back office, and then I frown.

Shit. I must have a knack for fucking in Booker’s offices. First, Van at the record store whenever he wants to slum it, and then Kieran at the bar. I need to get laid in bed or somewhere normal next time.

Van swallows hard, looking toward the ground. “I… Riv, I… you know…” I hold up my hand, cutting him off.