Free Something for the Pain (Pain #2) by Victoria Ashley Page A

that’s all that matters to me. We don’t belong there anymore. Don’t forget that.”
    I nod my head while locking my door behind us. It’s been over six months since either of us has been in a ring. I’m not trying to go back to that shit.
    I slap the front desk. “I’m out, Styles.”
    Without looking up, Styles mumbles something as we walk past and outside.
    Memphis turns to me and grips my shoulder. “I’ll tell Lyric that you’re doing fine and that you’re just as annoying as ever.”
    “That’s my best quality, brother.” I walk backwards, giving Memphis the middle finger with both hands, before jumping into my truck and starting the engine.
    He stands there and watches me the whole time that I back out and pull off.
    He’s exactly who I got my protective nature from, and just like me . . . he never backs down.
    I pull up at Dax’s a little earlier than expected. Tripp still has about thirty minutes left before she gets off, but I decided to just show up early and kick back with a few beers while waiting. I could use a little unwinding before heading back to the house and seeing her and Lucas together.
    The bar is pretty packed when I walk in, but I easily spot Tripp over at one of the tables close to the bar. It’s a pretty full table, so not wanting to add to her pressure I make my way up to the bar to order a beer. I smirk at Harley as she looks up at me from wiping down the sticky mess in front of her.
    “Harley. Just the girl I’m looking for.”
    Harley smiles from ear to ear and her face instantly turns red. Of course she knows that I know. Ace can’t keep his mouth shut for crap. “Don’t even say it, Carter.” She points at me as she reaches below her for a beer, already knowing what I’m after.
    I shrug my shoulders, trying to hide my grin. “I wasn’t going to say shit about you and Ace fucking. I promise.” I laugh and she tosses the beer cap at me, hitting me on the nose.
    “Alex! I want to strangle you sometimes.” She leans over the bar, suddenly interested, looking around to see if anyone’s listening. “Tell me what he said. Don’t leave anything out or I’ll choke you.”
    Standing up, I grab the bottle of beer and lift it up, chuckling under my breath. I love screwing with her. “Cheers, Harley. I’ll see you later.” I walk backwards, smiling while tilting back my beer.
    “You dick!” Harley shakes her head while giving me the evil eye. “I’ll get it out of Tripp. Trust me.”
    Tripp appears beside me out of nowhere, so I wrap my arm around her neck and pull her to me. “No you won’t. Tripp doesn’t tell anything that I ask her not to.”
    Harley bites her bottom lip in annoyance. “True . . . and I hate you for that.” She slaps her towel down onto the bar before crossing her arms. “Dammit! Fucking men! What are they good for?” She tilts her head in thought. “Oh yeah. Well double damn.”
    Turning around, I pull Tripp with me as I find an empty seat away from all the noise and Harley’s man-hating ass right now. “Hey, babe.” I kiss her forehead before sliding into a booth. “How’s work?”
    She rolls her eyes and lets out a frustrated breath. “Oh you know . . . busy as shit. And for some reason, Dax has only me on the schedule for another thirty minutes.” She holds up three fingers. “Then he has three girls coming in. He expects me to hold the joint down by myself, but can schedule three girls for the late shift. He’s lucky he left over two hours ago or I’d be choking him in a corner somewhere.”
    Getting lost in how damn cute she looks when she’s mad, I let my teasing come out, unable to stop myself. I might just get punched for this, but it’s always well worth it. “I’d let you choke me in the corner. Anytime and anywhere.” I take a swig of my beer, before setting it down. “As long as it involves rough, dirty sex afterwards.”
    Her face flushes red, but she doesn’t say anything, because some people from a few