William’s hand appeared, holding a box with shiny green wrapping. “Go on and take it. You can throw it in the trash if it’s not something you want. No biggie.” He spun on his heel and disappeared out of sight.

Trevor slowly peeled the tape from the edges and peered inside.

“What is it?” I asked.

He unfolded the paper and let it fall to the floor. In his hands was a model-airplane kit. This one looked like one of those old bombers from World War II. Most of the ones in his room were either commercial airliners or jets.

Trevor set the box on the table and rushed out the door. “William—”

His voice cut off and he stopped within eyeshot. I realized William hadn’t left after all, but had been standing in the hall near the door. Trevor’s eyes were downcast, staring at the floor before looking back up. “Thanks, man.”

William reached out and patted Trevor’s shoulder before he walked off.

Trevor kept his eyes steady for a moment before he swaggered into the room. “So what kind of trouble are you in?” he asked in a blustering voice. He noisily wadded up the wrapper and tossed it into the wastebasket.

I stood up. “I suppose you’ll find out soon enough. I’ve been summoned to your game room, and I’m guessing it’s not for drinks and a lap dance,” I said with a sullen smile as I left the room.

I hadn’t even seen Wheeler walk by, but he was already in the room, sitting at the bar with a shot of liquor in front of him. I sat to his left and tasted a sip.

“A whiskey man,” I said softly, licking my lips. “Why didn’t you use your weapon back at Delgado’s? Seems like a lot of trouble to strangle a man.”

His eyes flashed up and he looked at me in the reflection of the mirror. “You once said I didn’t enjoy doing laborious things with my hands. I disagree.”

“Touché.”

I still had my fingers wrapped around the glass when he suddenly reached for it. Wheeler held his hand over mine, lightly stroking my thumb with his pinky finger. My heart spontaneously reacted whenever he touched me, and the slightest connection sent goose pimples all over my body and a flutter of nerves to my belly. And it took a whole lot to make a woman like me nervous.

Shuffling feet sounded behind us as the pack entered the room. Wheeler pulled the glass away and knocked it back. He quickly poured a refill, spilling a few drops onto the polished surface of the bar.

“Close the door,” Austin said.

Lexi swept her hair back. “Do you want me to wake Mom?”

Denver plopped down in the beanbag chair, and everyone else stood behind Austin near the pool table. I slowly swiveled around on my stool and noticed Denver tapping his bare feet on the floor.

“I have work in two hours,” he announced.