Page 19 of The Patron Saint of Timber Hollow

When the routine finishes, Sam and I hop off the bar at the end. Ivy, Angel, and George begin wiping down the far end while Samand I clean the other side. We make quick work of it, sending George off to bus tables while Ivy and Angel start mixing drinks.

"So, what did you want to ask Ivy about earlier?" Sam asks as she's stacking shot glasses for us to use.

"Oh, I was just snooping for gossip, but she made me manager while I was in there," I say, smiling.

"Oh, fuck yeah! Good for you, girl." Sam congratulates me and gives me a quick hug.

I laugh, saying, "Thank you. Are you ready?"

In response, Sam flicks the switch to the light over the Slap Shot booth, and immediately, a line forms. Jay and Saint aren't the first in line; there are around a half dozen customers between now and when I get to smack around my boyfriend and his hot friend.

Those half dozen customers all go in a blur, and then Angel saunters over with a cheeky smile.

"What's up?" I greet, wiping up the previous customer's spittle spray with a disinfectant-soaked rag, running a dry one over the bar immediately after.

"I was wondering If I could do one?" Angel asks, and I shrug.

"Sure," I answer as Jay, Saint, and Dante walk up. Normally, I would do Jay and Saint's simultaneously, and Sam would doDante if he was still around, like tonight. I don't know why I expect Saint to walk up to Sam's side of the bar, but I do,but he doesn't.

Angel is going to do Saint's Slap shot.

I refuse to acknowledge the burning in my gut, plastering on a smile as I pour Jay's usual order, two Anejo, and a kiss while Sam pours Dante's usual Johnnie Walker.

"How are you tonight, Gorgeous?" Jay asks, planting his elbow on the bar, chin in palm, as he watches me pour his tequila.

"I'm doing great now that you're here, Handsome," I reply, ignoring Angel asking Saint for his order with a giggle, twirling her blonde hair around her manicured finger.

My wolf paces, and I feel her teeth in my jaw, her claws under my fingertips. The want to hunt, rip into muscle, and sinew surges.Fuck.

Jay's eyes are as mercurial as ever; one eye is bluer, while the other is greener today. Both have that silvery flash of his wolf when he smirks, though.

Before I slap him, I lean over and drop a quick kiss to the side of his mouth. He's ready for it, braced for impact and shooting down his liquor immediately after I slap his cheek. Sam's echoing slap sounds next, and then the pitiful crack of Angel's palm against Saint's cheek comes last, with a giggle. Without thinking, I roll my eyes and Jay just smirks at me.

"Have a nice night, Handsome," I say sweetly when he sets his shot glass down.

"Only because you said so, Gorgeous." Jay fires back, taking Saint and Dante with him.

Angel disappears down the bar to mix drinks without a word, and the look on Sam's face makes me want to disown her.

"Don't say a word," I warn, wiping my hands off on a rag.

Sam snorts before saying, "Wouldn't dream of it."

As I climb the stairs after switching keg lines, I overhear Angel and Ivy talking, Sam's voice chiming in with a 'there there' now and again. My curiosity gets the better of me, and I can't do anything but go find out what's happening. A few minutes ago, everything was fine while we were all closing.

Everyone is gathered around Angel, sitting at the bar sobbing into her hands.

"I just don't get it!" Angel wails, yet another hiccuping sob coming from her moments later.

"Men are dumb," Sam offers; I snort, and Ivy murmurs, "Yes, they are," while rubbing Angel's back in soothing circles.

Sam and I exchange a couple of looks. Mine says,"What the fuck?"hers says,"I don't know either?"

Ivy rolls her eyes.

"I have never had a man justignoreme like Saint does! It'sso frustrating!" Angel whines, and then it all clicks.

"Maybe he's just oblivious." Sam offers again, her voice sounding hopeful for Angel.