Free Recklessly by A.J. Sand Page A

involved?” Wes asked, pretending to be offended. But his dick was involved. And, honestly, he had sort of felt all week like its honor was at stake.
    Abel laughed under his smirk. “Um…real answer or…?”
    He raised his right hand as though swearing an oath. “I can assure you that my penis hasn’t caused any trouble in Hollywood.”
    “I suppose this is my fault. Look, we don’t have to go to Vices Hollywood . Let’s go anywhere , just so this conversation about your dick can stop,” Abel said as an expression of disgust filled his features, but it quickly shifted to one of amusement. “But, seriously, why are you so against going?”
    “Remember how at training last week, I told you that I met a girl at the one in Venice? I was really tired, and it slipped my mind that you knew who she was already. You met her earlier in the day at Tar—”
    “Whoa. Target parking lot girl is Vices bathroom girl? The hot chick on the motorcycle and…?” Abel’s eyes widened at some unspoken, but probably logical and accurate, conclusion as he trailed off. “Wait…she’s at the one in Hollywood tonight? How do you know that…? Wait some more …she works there, doesn’t she ? Holy Virgin Mary.” He started with cackles but they melted into giggles. Actual giggles. It was all goddamn spite over his lost shoes. “So your old fuck-buddy is going to meet your new fuck-buddy in a few minutes? Oh! This is too good.”
    “Thanks for the support, Abel.” Wes pressed out a flat smile. “Dude, this really might backfire on me unnecessarily. You know how Ki is. It’s part of the reason things cooled off between us.”
    “Yeah…she does get jealous.” Kiera was probably the one woman Wes had had a casual relationship with the longest—they were actually pretty good friends—and she didn’t ask too many questions about his personal life, but he often saw a different side of her when other women were around. Especially when Wes was interested in them.
    “And I’m not going to make Kiera go home right now and look like the world’s biggest jerk.”
    “And she has coupons , dude…”
    “I don’t care about her coupons.” Wes scoffed in annoyance. “But you see why I don’t want to go?”
    Abel’s expression snapped into a compassionate look. “Totally.” He squeezed Wes’ shoulder then turned for the hallway, cupping his free hand at the side of his mouth. “Hey, guys, get in the car! Wesley says he’s ready to go to Hollywood!”
    They were at the place a little more than half an hour later and being seated at a bar table upstairs. Vices Hollywood was teeming with people, to the point that waiting guests were standing next to vacant tables as the busboys wiped them clean from the previous diners. Even as he kept himself a part of the conversation with his group, Wes’ gaze swept the faces of the busy servers from behind his menu, and each time none of them was Lana, his eagerness to see her only grew. He couldn’t decide which was worse, if she was not working tonight or if she was. Finally, Lana stepped out from behind the bar carrying a tray of fried foods and beers to a table of guys. Even in her work uniform, little makeup and a simple ponytail, she looked gorgeous, and a quick glance around the room revealed that he wasn’t the only one who noticed.
    “And for you?” the waitress hovering over him asked, startling Wes. He smiled up at Cynthia and dropped his stare to the menu.
    “Turkey burger with the works. Coors. And water, please.”
    “IDs, please.”
    “Cyn, mind if I handle this? I know them. Tip’s still yours,” Lana said as she strolled over, and Wes’ sudden increase in heart rate rattled his chest. Abel landed a kick to his shin, and it whipped pain through his entire body, but Wes didn’t dare meet his brother’s eyes. He watched Cynthia trod over to another table until Lana bumped his knee. She leaned with her elbows on the tabletop, eyes never straying from his. When