Page 25 of Lick

He frowns. “No, but that’s just as gross. I’m talking about that scene at the club a few weeks ago.”

“Oh, the one where the woman was causing issues? I spoke to Tash about that.”

“You did? I’m surprised you’re not more pissed.”

“Why? You know how many women come in here claiming I’m the father of their kid? Honestly, it’s getting fucking old.”

“I get it, but this one didn’t seem like the usual fare, and she didn’t say she was pregnant. Not once. I made the assumption because of the way she held her hand to her stomach.”

“Yeah, was this before or after her friend kicked off and punched Tash? I’m guessing it’s before she called the police. She’s lucky Tash didn’t press charges.”

He opens his eyes so wide his eyebrows hit his hairline. “I don’t know what the fuck Tash told you, but that’s not how it went down at all. It was Tash who caused the ugly scene. The woman came over quietly and spoke to me, or tried to, but Tash jumped in and made sure it was nasty and loud so she could draw attention to herself. Her words were designed to embarrass the woman, and they did, even though she tried to hide it. When I took pity on her and gave her my phone to put her number in so you could message her, Tash grabbed her wrist and yanked her into the table. I lost my shit. A pregnant woman getting yanked into the table like that, right into her stomach? Do you have any idea what damage Tash could have done? Well, her friend did. She came out of nowhere and decked Tash while the pregnant lady left with another woman. Tash was the one who called the police. I’ll admit I’m surprised you bought Tash’s version of events.”

I run my fingers through my hair, feeling pissed off. “I asked the doorman, too. He had his own shit to say about the woman.”

“This is the doorman Rob, who fucks Tash on the regular by any chance?”

“Seriously, is there anyone she won’t fuck?”

“Yeah, me, thank god.” He grimaces.

“You get the woman’s name and number?”

“No, Tash grabbed her before she could put it in. Sorry, man.”

I wave him off. If I know her, I’ll recognize her from the video. “I’ll figure it out.”

Before either of us can say anything else, there is a knock at the door.

“Come in.”

The door opens, and my dad pokes his head in, thankfully wearing a hoodie over his cut. “Got a sec?”

I open my mouth to ask him to give me five, but Jacko is already getting to his feet. “I’ve gotta head back anyway. My pain meds are wearing off, and like an idiot, I forgot to bring them with me.”

“Alright, take it easy. I can’t handle Mike much longer, so I need you rested and ready to go before the next gig.”

He salutes me before nodding to my father as he passes him.

I wait for the door to close before speaking. “I thought you weren’t coming by here to keep our relationship hidden.”

“Yeah, well, someone sent a woman our way. My guess is someone from this place.” He takes the seat Jacko just vacated and looks at me, his hands in his lap, his fingers laced together.

“What happened?”

“A woman showed up to see you. I figured she was the one who caused trouble here and I may have said something that pissed her off.”

I groan. “Turns out Tash’s version of events was more fairytale than factual.”

“Huh, I figured.”

“How?”

“The woman lost her shit right back. She sure was a fiery thing. I can see the appeal. Honestly, she was not what I was expecting.”

“What were you expecting?”

“You know, the usual. Let’s be honest, none of the brothers have to work for a woman’s attention, you less than most when you throw in the band groupies. But this one was older.”