Free ZEKE by Kelly Gendron Page B

like a challenge, can handle yourself, and the patrons, they sure do love to see some new blood.” He laughs. “Hope they weren’t too disappointed that it was your blood they got to see tonight.” He grabs my chin and inspects my cheek. “It’s not too deep, shouldn’t leave a scar.” He releases me. “You headed to the bar then?”
    “For a couple, yeah.”
    “Your redhead is here,” he jabs.
    “She’s not mine.” I grimace. “I told you, we’re just friends. I got no interest in her. I haven’t hit that.”
    “Yeah,” he says, a smile creeping on his face, “that’s ‘cause after you fuck her, you gotta let her go.” He pats me on the chest. “And you’re not sure if you want to let this one go.”
    “Fuck you.” I push his condescending hand from my chest. “Hey, did Slate show up for his fight?”
    “Yeah, and Rayna was here.”
    “Shit.” I riffle a hand through my hair again. “She didn’t know about the, ah ... about him?”
    “No. I told Emmie just before the fight started. Neither of them has seen him since they’ve gotten back in town. Fucked Rayna up.”
    “We probably should have told her.”
    “Hell,” Jax lets out a loud breath, “I didn’t know how.”
    “I get that.” I nod. “So, you and Emmie, that shit’s real, huh?”
    The corner of Jax’s mouth lifts, and I know I’m not getting anything more out of my reserved older brother. “Hey, be careful out there.” He points at me before walking away.
    “Out where?” I turn around and lift my hands in the air just as Jax disappears behind the door. I gaze at the door. What the fuck is that supposed to mean?
    Fuck him, even if what he said is true. I haven’t seen Lurlene in a few days, but I haven’t tried either. The last time we were together, I came so close to ripping her clothes off and fucking her senseless. But I stopped myself. Jax is right. I’m not ready to let her go, not yet. Of course, I had to leave my mark on her, and that’s why I made her come. I want her to think about me. Can’t say if it worked, though, because she hasn’t called me either.
    I get to the front bar, and Rusty places a shot glass in front of me. “What’s your poison, bitchmeat? Jameson, a slippery nipple, 252, or how about a mind eraser? Ya know, to help you forget about that fight.” She smirks.
    “Gimme a Jägermeister, and I won that match, beautiful.” I sit down on the stool.
    “Barely.” She grabs the Jäger and fills the shot glass. “Oh, I get it.” She pulls the bottle against her perky breasts waiting for me to finish the shot. “You let that guy kick your ass, didn’t you?” She refills the glass.
    I pick up the shot glass. “And why would I do that?” I muse before downing the burning alcohol.
    “Well, look at you. What chick doesn’t go for the wounded puppy look? I mean, let’s face it, Zeke, you’re losing your game. I haven’t seen you take a girl home in the past couple of weeks.”
    I place the glass on the counter. “Hit me again.” I wink at her and she fills me up. “And can I get a beer?”
    “Sure.” She sweetly smirks at me and twists around to the cooler. I finish the Jäger, watching her come back around, her eyes skimming the place. “Could be that, or you’re just losing your mojo.” She cracks open my beer and looks at me. “Then again, it also could have something to do with her.” Her eyes shift to the end of the bar as she sets my beer in front of me. I reach out for it and glance to the left.
    My hand tightens around the wet bottle. The bearded ox that nearly bested me in the cage is hanging all over my girl! With one arm draped across Lurlene’s slender shoulders, he’s whispering something into her ear. My blood boils, intensifying every hit the fucker landed on my body earlier. My bruised muscles flex and my insides burn. Lurlene laughs at something he’s saying and my hand fists. Blinded by the kiss the asshole just landed on my girl’s cheek as he pulls