Total pages in book: 72
Estimated words: 74005 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 370(@200wpm)___ 296(@250wpm)___ 247(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 74005 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 370(@200wpm)___ 296(@250wpm)___ 247(@300wpm)
I watch her from across the crowded bar, her fiery red hair standing out like a beacon in the dimly lit room. She’s surrounded by a group of guys, each one clearly trying to win her attention, but Scarlett only has eyes for one person.
My brother Eagle.
Which concerns me. He’s in the bathroom at the moment.
Hell, he shouldn’t be here at all. He’s still underage. And sober.
Scarlett’s gaze is intense and probing. It makes my skin crawl.
“What’s up with you?” my buddy Colt asks, nudging me with his elbow.
“Just thinking,” I take a swig of my beer.
My first beer as a legal twenty-one-year old.
Eagle just turned nineteen, but no one checks IDs here.
So I’m keeping an eye on him.
And on Scarlett.
Colt follows my gaze and laughs. “Oh, I see. Scarlett’s got you all wound up, huh?”
“I just don’t trust her,” I say, keeping my voice low.
Colt raises an eyebrow. “Really? She’s harmless. Flirtatious, yes, but harmless.”
Maybe Colt’s right. Maybe I’m reading too much into this. But every instinct in me is screaming that Scarlett is trouble.
And Eagle can’t steer clear of trouble.
First, she’s older than Eagle. Why she’s interested in a teenaged boy is beyond me.
Second, there’s something predatory about the way she’s watching him, like a lioness stalking her prey. It’s unsettling and it makes me uneasy. She’s used to getting what she wants. And right now, she wants Eagle.
“Maybe,” I mutter, finishing off my beer.
“Hawk,” Colt says, his tone serious. “You need to relax. Scarlett is just a girl, and Eagle can handle himself.”
I want to believe him, but something in my gut tells me otherwise. Eagle has a tendency to dive headfirst into trouble. And from the way Scarlett’s watching him, I know she’s trouble.
When Eagle returns, I catch his arm. “We need to talk,” I say, leading him away from the crowd, away from Scarlett’s predatory gaze.
“What’s up?” Eagle asks, looking…not like himself.
It’s a look I haven’t seen on him in over a year.
“God damn it,” I say. “What the fuck did you do in there?”
“Dude, take it easy.” He swaggers toward the bar. “I need a drink.”
“And fuck up over a year of sobriety? I don’t think so.”
I grab him and yank him toward the bathroom.
Scarlett watches us, despite the gaggle of men surrounding her.
The two restrooms—both single use—are both vacant at the moment.
I’m not sure which one Eagle was in. “Which one?” I demand.
He points to the one on the right.
I yank him inside and lock the door, and then I scour the place for drugs.
I check the corners of the stalls, behind the toilet paper holder, and even the trash can. I don’t find anything, but that doesn’t mean he didn’t already use whatever he had.
Nothing.
“Nice try,” I say.
The other bathroom is still vacant, thank God. I yank him in and lock the door again. First thing I check is the toilet.
And I strike gold.
A small Ziplock floating in the water.
“Plastic doesn’t flush too well, huh? Didn’t you learn that lesson back when you were using?”
He looks at his feet. “I don’t know what the hell you’re talking about.”
I grab both his cheeks, scan his face, specifically his nostrils.
He sniffs hard.
No trace of powder, but my brother’s not a moron. He can cover his tracks.
“What? You want me to take a drug test right now?” he says sarcastically. “I’m clean.”
“Fine. Then prove it. We’ll go to a pharmacy and get an at-home drug test. If it’s negative, I’ll apologize and leave you alone.”
“If you can’t believe your own brother, then fuck off.” Eagle unlocks the bathroom door.
I follow him, but he walks right past Scarlett and out the door of the bar.
I tap Scarlett’s shoulder. “We need to talk.”
“Anytime, handsome,” she teases. “Except for now. As you can see, I’m pretty busy here, and you’re late to the party.”
“Uh…now,” I say. “Come on.” I take her arm and lead her to a quiet corner.
“What the hell, Hawk?” Scarlett yanks her arm out of my grip, her fiery eyes blazing with indignation. “You can’t just drag me away like that.”
“I just did,” I retort, folding my arms over my chest. “What the hell are you thinking, Scarlett? What game are you playing with my brother?”
“Game?” She raises an eyebrow, crossing her arms to mirror my stance. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“The drugs,” I snap, my patience wearing thin. “Did you give them to him?”
She recoils, her eyes widening a fraction. “Drugs? I—”
“Don’t play dumb with me,” I interrupt her. “You know my brother’s history. He’s been clean for over a year and I won’t let you or anyone else jeopardize that.”
She shakes her head. “He’s not using, Hawk. I swear it.”
“Yeah, well, I don’t take your word for much. Stay away from my brother.”
“You mean the one in prison?” she taunts.
“Fuck you, you conniving little bitch.” I take a step toward her. “I see right through that schoolgirl act of yours, even if Eagle doesn’t. Stay away from him.”