Morrison (Caldwell Brothers)

Fuck, she’s pissed now. I try real damn hard to keep the physical contact to a minimum, but I still give her a hug once in a while. You bet your ass it’s quick, though, or I’d be popping wood.

I see her look at my lips, and I know she wants me in that mouth as bad as I do, but I can’t, not yet. Things need to be solid, and I am gonna make damn sure she is the one making that first move. But God help her when she does.

The next envelope is the insurance check for my totaled car. The green is gonna come in handy, but it still pisses me off that that asshole rolled up on me the way he did. He’ll get his. In prison, someone will roll up on his ass, and then he’ll see what it feels like to be taken from behind with no fucking warning.

As soon as I walk into the bar, Livi grabs her things, then gives me a squeeze. “Thanks.”

“No problem.”

She practically runs out the door.

The place is hopping; it has been for a few months now. Caldwell’s is the place to be.

Hailey’s behind the bar, running her little ass off, so I get behind there with her.

“Here to help.”

“Do I look like I need help?”

Piss-ass, I think. “The place is three deep, so yeah, you need some help.”

“Coolers could use stocking, and the Miller Lite keg is nearing its end. You could change that. Other than that, I got this.” She doesn’t miss a beat, continues pouring shots, filling cups, and taking in cash while she speaks.

“Sure thing, boss lady.” I laugh, unable to help myself, and she stops dead in her tracks, then looks at me, pissed.

I don’t look away.

“Hey, sweet-ass, I’m empty,” a guy yells.

I whip my head around, ready to lose my shit, when she yells back, “Sweet-ass? Is that all you can come up with, Romeo?” She laughs as she pours a shot.

“It’s mighty fine,” the fuckhead says, giving her a wink.

She hands him the shot, and he hands her a ten.

“You think it’s okay to talk shit like that to me?”

“Damn.” The guy smiles. “Probably not. Probably should be on one knee, asking you to marry me.”

“You do know you have a better chance of seeing God, right, Ricky?”

“So you keep telling me.”

She looks at Jared. “Man has a thick skull, but he tips well.”

“Keep the change, girl.” Rick laughs.

She rings him up, then throws the extra eight bucks in her overflowing tip jar before she looks over at me.

I am still pissed. “Say the word, and I will throw his ass—”

“The guy’s drunk and likes to talk shit, Caldwell. He means no harm. You gonna stand in my way or change the keg?”

I change the keg, stock the coolers, and stand back, watching her work the crowd. She is just as much of a hard-ass with them as she is with me. The exception is Jared; they seem to be tight. They live in the same building now, too.

Jared may look like he’s in his forties with that thick-ass beard and wild hair, but he’s only in his early thirties. I really hope nothing is going on with the two of them, ’cause I like the guy and don’t wanna have to kill his ass.

She busts her ass all night, and anytime I try to help, I get the look, the one that’s supposed to intimidate yet in reality turns me the fuck on. So I grab the stool behind the bar and park my ass in it.

“Morrison?” I look up as a couple of women make their way over to me.

“Hey, Patsy, Tina, what’s up?” I give them the smile they are accustomed to.

“It’s Thursday—ladies’ night—and we came all the way here thinking we might get to see you and your brothers on the bar.”

I laugh. “Hendrix got hitched and”—I wave my hand through the air—“looks like there are very few ladies in the house tonight. Lots of men, though, huh?”

“But only one Caldwell.” Tina winks.

“Just stopped in to back the bar, but Hailey here,” I say as Hailey approaches us, “would be glad to help you two out.”

“What can I get the two of you to drink?”

“We’d like a Caldwell cocktail.” Patsy smirks at me.

“Come again?” she asks.

“Wish he would.” Tina laughs. “You and your brother Jagger . . . Remember that time?”

Hailey’s eyebrows shoot up as she looks at me.

“You know what’s in a Caldwell cocktail, Hailey?” Patsy giggles.

“Nope,” Hailey says as she pours a shot and pushes it down the bar to one of the guys waiting for a drink.

“Well, it starts with one of us on our knees,” Tina begins.

“Then lip to tip, right, Morrison?” Patsy adds.

Fuck me. I nod.

“Then a little stir, no shaking, tongue flat. Isn’t that the instructions you gave?” Tina bites her lip.