There had to be something to get his mind off…
Captain Fuck-wadof the Water Wrestler.Unfeeling social workers. Bad military intel…
Okay.That did it.
By the time they pulled up in front of the Bear’s Claw, Vincent had himself under control, and Lace had moved on to a different subject.
“Aren’t your brothers going to give you crap about being dressed like a clown?” she asked.
Now this, he could get his head around.
“Nope,” he grinned. “Did I forget to mention that there’s an ongoing pool? The more places I show up in costume, the more money the saps have to throw in. Every one of them has made a guess as to how many times I’ll dare to appear in public like this. If I can reach a dozen outings—hospital not included—I take the pot. If not, one of them will win.”
Vince left the truck, then went around to the other side, to help Lace out.
She laughed as he put his hands on her slender waist and lifted her down. “Don’t they already know you’ll win?”
“Of course,” he shrugged. “But the fun is more about the dare than the cash.”
Pondering his mode of dress right now, however, Vince belatedly wondered if Lace would feel embarrassed to be seen with him.
Uh… Clearlynot.
Lace had already picked up Vince’s hand and threaded her fingers through his, tugging him along until they walked in and stood in line at the counter.
“Doofus!” a loud voice carried across the room.
“Hey, Kyle,” Vince yelled back, indifferent to the other patrons who were looking at him with a mixture of amusement and horror. “Aren’t you supposed to be working today? Or did the BPD get smart and kick your sorry self to the curb?” He cleaned up his language, because therewerekids present.
Speaking of which…
Vince removed his fingers from Lace’s, pulled a few balloons out of his pocket, and blowing them up one at a time, quickly created a mosquito, a sword, and a swan, which he doled out to three lucky youngsters.
A quick bow to his adoring audience, then he looked up to where a slow clap was coming from.
Ah.Behind the counter.
“Such talent,” Nate lauded. “I suppose you’ll want a free lunch since you’re providing entertainment to the patrons.”
Vince went all in, because he knew it was useless to try and hold back with Lace any longer.
“No such thing,” he announced loudly. “Since I’m on adatewith my lady, I’ll be paying the bill today.”
Lace giggled, and clearly Nate approved if his wide-assed smile was any indication.
“Cool. What can I get you both?”
Once they had their food, they joined the three of his brothers who were already there, eating.
Vince made the introductions.
“Lace, these reprobates are Kyle, the mouthy one who thinks he’s funnier than me, Buck, who you already know, and I’m not sure if you’re familiar with Trask, but he’s the grumpyoldestone amongst our brothers.”
Although Trask wasn’tnearlyas taciturn as he used to be before he’d met his wife, Jett.
Still, Vince enjoyed giving his big brother, shit.
Trask spoke first. “I’m not sure why a sweet woman like you would want to date this idiot.” Always the polite one of the bunch, Trask rose and shook Lace’s hand. “But if he does anything you don’t like, come see me and I’ll teach him some manners.”