Page 29 of Bend

He leans forward slightly, forearms resting across the handlebars while he scans the lawn like he’s waiting for something less fucking boring to happen.

So far, it hasn’t, and if anyone asked what I’m looking at, the answer would be simple.

The crowd. Definitely the fuckin’ crowd.

“This party’s dead,” I mutter, glancing toward the house where someone’s currently attempting to dance on a coffee table like they’re auditioning for embarrassment of the year.

Wolfe takes a slow drink before answering, completely unbothered.

“Give it time.”

“It’s been an hour.”

“Still early.”

“Still dreadful.”

He exhales through his nose, that quiet half-snort he does when he’s somewhere between amused and mildly annoyed. I know the sound well enough by now. It’s the start of an eye roll he can’t quite be bothered finishing.

My phone buzzes in my pocket.

I pull it out and glance down at the screen.

Sayshen: Andre’s got us stuck at the track. Talon’s about five seconds from committing a felony. We’ll be late.

I snort.

Course he does.

Andre’s got a proper talent for finding something “urgent” the second anyone tries to have a life outside the garage.

I type back with one hand.

Me: Don’t rush, mate. Party’s rubbish anyway. Sponsor can’t moan as long as a Demon’s here. We’ve got two.

Wolfe glances sideways at me.

“Sayshen?”

“Yeah,” I say, sliding my phone back into my pocket. “Andre’s got them doing some last-minute nonsense at the track.”

Wolfe huffs under his breath.

“Course he does.”

“They’ll be late.” I take a sip of my beer, glancing toward the house again where someone’s just knocked over a decorative lantern. “Typical though, innit? They get to ride while we’re stuck out here basically acting as eye candy for rich people who couldn’t tell what we actually do if their lives depended on it.”

Wolfe lets out a quiet laugh, shaking his head.

“Shit, no complaints from me. Free beer, free food, decent music… and a bit of fun if the night plays out right.” He nudges the toe of his boot lightly against mine. “C’mon, loosen up a bit, yeah?”

I lift my bottle slightly toward the house.

“You say that now,” I mutter, watching another group of guests spill out onto the deck like they’ve just discovered alcohol for the first time. “Give it twenty minutes and you’ll be just as bored as I am.”

Wolfe smirks around the neck of his bottle.

“Doubt it.”