Behind the bar, Shawn dries off a glass, brows furrowed in deep concentration. I know him well enough at this point to know he’s listening though. Taking in everything around him, and not missing a thing. Just waiting to pounce if someone gets too close. The guy doesn’t know the meaning of the word relax. But it’s not like I can complain. It helps to share the load sometimes—helps knowing someone else has Mason’s back in the event I can’t be there.

I lift the cigarette to my mouth just as I let my focus finally drift and lock on to Will. His back is to me, his messy blond hair glinting gold in the soft light. The tall, gorgeous redhead I noticed earlier has made a home at his side, curled around his arm. Her long hair swings into his back each time she rubs her face up against his shoulder like some affection-starved kitten.

Grimacing to myself, I rip my gaze away. The lighter in my hand sparks to life with the flick of my thumb, and I guide it to the end of my cigarette. A couple of frat boys nearby scowl my way, and I mentally flip them off as the cherry flares to life, filling my lungs with sweet, sharp relief. My playground, my rules. I can smoke if I want to.

Ivy hums. “I don’t know. Something tells me she’s not his type.”

I roll my eyes and take another pull from the whiskey. I’ve a feeling I’m going to need it as the bar begins clearing out and the guys make their way over.

Mason and Shawn grab a couple chairs and drag them over to Ivy’s side, leaving the two seats across from me for Will and his little piece of arm candy.

Slouched down in the red leather booth, I lift my cigarette back to my mouth and give a regal sweep of my hand, silently encouraging them to join us.

Blue eyes connect with mine for one heart-thundering moment. Biting down on my tongue, I tear my gaze away.

“Hi, Waylon,” a tinkling voice says. I blink into a frown as the redhead sits down next to Will, taking the seat directly across from me. She smiles shyly but confidently. Almost like she knows me...

No, like she’s seen me naked.

Sharp, hysterical laughter threatens to burst out of me before I manage to choke it down. Well, fuck me ten ways through Sunday Mass. Things just got a hell of a lot more interesting.

Ivy mumbles something under her breath, and Mason groans.

“You two know each other?” Will asks, that deep voice of his somehow familiar and yet not catching me off guard once again.