Taylor’s hearty laugh warmed Army. “That’s too funny. I’ll have to share that with the others next time we go. The bowl has peanut butter, chia seeds, whey protein, and a bunch of other high protein stuff in it. It’s really good.”
“No meat? Damn.”
“Don’t knock it until you’ve tried it. Mia got me hooked on it. I held out for a long time, but I finally went and now I crave it. It’s fucking weird.”
Army stood silent as the image of Stiletto in her killer black dress crashed through his mind. “How’s she doing?”Fuck!
“Mia’s good. She’s just training right now because she had some things come up with her family. Not sure what it is. What’re you doing tonight?”
He wanted Taylor to keep talking about the sexy fighter, but Army would just have to wait until he went to Durango. Of course, he was only going to support Taylor and see his dad.
“Are you still with me?” Taylor’s question broke through his thoughts.
“Yeah. Uh …”
“What’re your plans for tonight?”
“Oh. I’m working at Lust. Rooster’s having his big birthday bash over here, then we’ll finish it up at the club. Should be fun.”
“I bet there’ll be a lot of pretty women.”
“Always are. You should come to one of the club’s parties sometime. They can be wild, but that’s what makes them fun. Anything goes, you know?”
Taylor chuckled. “So, who’s your woman for the night?”
“I haven’t decided yet.” The truth was Army wished Stiletto were there keeping him busy.
“I don’t know how you do it. You’re gonna be thirty. Don’t you ever want to just be with one woman?”
“Settle down? Nah. Dad’s done it three times andhe’salone. The last one cleaned out all his bank accounts. And our mother? She took off when you were barely four years old. Nope. I’ll stick to my no-strings-attached policy.”
“I don’t really remember Mom, but I know you do. It’s always been harder on you that she left us than on me, but Asher’s only two years younger than you and he’s married.”
“Good for Asher. He was always lookin’ for a mommy to take care of him. He found it in Kali. She packs his damn lunches when he goes to work. No fuckin’ thanks. I’m doing just fine.”
“I didn’t mean to piss you off.” An audible sigh hit Army’s ears. “I know Dad’s worried about you.”
“He’s worried about you, too, but we each have our own lives. Anyway, when’s the last time you had a girlfriend? And don’t give me that MMA shit. Plenty of fighters have a woman.” Army took out a joint and lit it.
“I’m still getting over Penny.”
Army snorted. “She married the fucker she cheated on you with. Damn, dude—grow some fuckin’ balls.” He kicked the side of the building.
“I’m sorry women are such a sore spot for you. We can—”
“Chicks aren’t anything to me but a good time. They’re warm and soft and I couldn’t live without them, but I have no intention of hooking up with one just because you, Dad, or Aunt Rosemary think I should. I’m just fuckin’ sick and tired of having to explain that all the time. Live your life and let me live mine.” It took all the willpower Army possessed to keep from throwing his phone against the wall then stomping on it. Why did his family have to keep butting into his life? His aunt Rosemary had stepped in when his mom had abandoned them, and he loved and respected her for that, but he hated when she’d call him up and try to fix him up with another “perfect” woman.Fuck!He kicked the wall again and dust from the stucco finish glowed under the patio light as it floated in the air.
“Chill, dude. Let’s change the damn subject,” Taylor said.
“I gotta get going. I’m helping tend bar. I’ll send you a text to let you know when I’ll be coming.”
“Are you staying with Willow?”
Army cleared his throat. “We’re done. I’ll figure it out. Later.” He shoved his phone in his pocket and stretched his arms high above his head then dropped them down, shaking them out. The small clock on the wall next to the door told him he had at least five more hours before he could cut out and go for a long ride. Army needed to lose himself into the darkness and have the chilly wind invigorate him as it whipped around him. Once two in the morning rolled around, he’d help clean and lock up, and then he had a date with his bike.
The cacophony of music and chatter spilled out when he opened the back door. Scrubbing his hand over his face, he walked inside.
* * *