Page 179 of Fly's Path

“And I’m helping you. You told me you wanted to be like me. Confident men don’t ask a friend to figure out if a girl likes them. They don’t even ask the girl if she likes them. You walk up, brave and bold, tell her you’re interested in her, and ask her out on a date…or whatever a kid version of a date is. Do you go to the movies or something? Anything else tells the girl you lack confidence in yourself.”

“What if she says no?”

“Then she says no, and you move on. Because being a man means having the strength to accept rejection.” Only part of thatis a lie. There’s no way I’d accept a no from Sheri. Especially not after the way she just let the stresses of the weekend go while in my arms last night. We were meant for each other.

“I don’t know…”

Bishop strides into the labyrinth. “Vex is here, and he’s looking for you. I can’t tell if he is going to kill you, but he definitely looks irritated. Whatever might happen, I’ve got your back.”

“Everett, figure it out. And call me back with the information I need.” I click off the phone. “Just how bad does it look?”

“Not good. He isn’t breathing fire, nor does he seem to be armed, but that doesn’t mean anything with a man like him.”

True. “I think we’re sort of friends.”

Bishop raises an eyebrow at me.

“He isn’t naming his firstborn after me, but I don’t think he wants to kill me either.”

“Whatever happens.”

And it seems Bishop is planning our funerals. At least we’ll go down together like brothers.

Vex’s brow wrinkles as I step into the room.

He’s definitely not happy.

“What’s wrong?” I stop two feet from him. That should give me time to duck.

My head snaps back as stars spin around my world.

Bishop grabs my arm and stops me from hitting the ground.

“My wife didn’t sleep last night because of you. Which means I didn’t sleep because of you. She spent the entire night crying with her friend.”

What? “Why? Is something wrong with Sheri? Did someone kidnap her on your watch?”

“No one kidnapped her. Your woman is safe and sound.”

What? “Why did you hit me? And why is my woman crying?”

“I told you I hit you because my woman didn’t get a minute of sleep last night because she was crying with your woman. Then we went with her to the airport and saw her off.”

What did he just say? “You saw her off? You let Sheridan leave when she was being stalked.”

“Well then, you better go get her back before someone finds her.” Vex turns around to walk away.

“What? Where did you send her? Did you just come here to punch me?”

Vex stops. “I came so you could go get your woman before she gets into trouble. And do you want to know why your woman was crying?”

“Yes.”

“Because she realized she loves you. Women are crazy. They make absolutely no sense. I need to go take a nap with my wife now. Or do you want to bother me some more?”

“Nope. I’m good. Thanks.”

Vex strides out of the clubhouse.