Page 161 of Hard Rain
The old building hadn’t changed. Same weathered boards. Same crooked OPEN sign in the front window. Same pickup trucks scattered across the lot.
Home looked exactly like home was supposed to.
Whip killed the engine.
“You ready?”
Axel looked at him.
“For what?”
“My dad.”
Axel barked a laugh. “I’ve arrested cartel hitters without flinching.”
“And?”
“I’m a little scared of Crash.”
“You should be.”
They climbed out.
Before they made it halfway to the door, it swung open.
Crash leaned against the frame, a dish towel over one shoulder.
“Took you idiots long enough.”
Whip frowned. “We pulled up five minutes ago.”
“Felt longer.”
Axel chuckled.
Crash looked from one to the other, lingering for barely a heartbeat before he stepped aside.
“You two coming in or planning to stand out there holding hands all night?”
Axel looked at Whip.
Whip looked back.
Neither of them had been holding hands.
“Yet.” Crash’s mouth twitched.
Whip groaned. “Oh, we’re starting early.”
“When have we ever stopped?” Crash asked.
Axel laughed as they followed Crash inside.
Stepping through the door, cat calls started immediately.
“Look what the rain dragged in!”
“Bain! You still owe me twenty bucks!” old man Snook called from where he sat at the chess table.
