Her cheeks heated and she tried to maintain her casual smile. “Let’s just say that I work a lot and I’m good with faces.”
Bobby came from out back, his heavy stomps cutting though the air. He stopped short when he saw me, his features falling into an expression of sympathy, and then shock when he saw my hair—or lack of, since I’d shaved it all off earlier that night.
“Ha—”
“Caleb,” I interjected firmly as I shifted my gaze to him. This girl didn’t seem to know who I was, and I wanted to keep it that way.
“Caleb,” he grumbled, his gaze shifting between me and Arla. “Can you bring up another case of whiskey, Arla?” he asked, and she nodded before scooting away. Bobby came around the bar and I slid off my stool. He held out a hand, and when I took it he pulled me in to his chest and thumped my back. “I’m sorry this shit has fallen on you, brother. It shouldn’t be like this.”
“I know, but we’re a brotherhood and that’s what we do, right?” I replied.
Bobby patted my back a couple more times and then let me go. His eyes raked over my face and head. “The fuck happened here, Hawk?”
I dragged a hand over my shaved head, feeling naked and exposed. My head was cold, my chin was cold, but mostly, my soul felt cold. Goddamn fucking Hardy and the shit he got the club into.
“Just wanted to be someone else when I went in there,” I said, looking away. “The shit that happens can’t touch me that way.”
He nodded in understanding. “You look fucking weird. Used to seeing you with a chin full of hair and a head full of spikes.” He shook his head and we both glanced over to the bar as Arla came back out with a case of whiskey. “Anyway, I just wanted to let you know that I’m sorry. And there’ll be free beer for life when you’re back.”
I chuckled. “And whiskey?”
He scowled and headed back around to the other side of the bar. “Don’t push your luck.” He slung an arm over Arla’s shoulders and she rolled her eyes. “You met my girl Arla here?”
“Your girl?”
“I am not your girl,” she laughed.
“Sure you are—you just don’t know it yet,” he laughed back. “See this man here,” he said, pointing to me. My stomach lurched as I wondered what the hell was going to come out of his mouth next. “This man is a damn legend. Heart of gold and a soul as deep as the ocean.”
Arla looked between me and Bobby in surprise, and I was pretty sure my own face had the same expression. He squeezed his eyes closed and I shrugged when Arla looked to me.
“You okay, Bobby?” she asked gently.
He opened his eyes. “Yeah, yeah, just feels like everyone is leaving.” He shook his head and turned away before heading into the back.
3
Arla
I stared after Bobby, wondering what had just happened. He’d said he was going to miss me, but I hadn’t realized quite how much. Guilt clawed at me and I wondered for the millionth time if I was really doing the right thing.
“You okay?” Caleb asked.
I turned back to face him, feeling my cheek
s blush as our gazes connected. He was so damn handsome he practically took my breath away. With eyes that I could drown in and a body that looked so strong and solid I would stake my life that it was impenetrable, I couldn’t look away. His jaw was solid and angular, and a dimple popped in his left cheek whenever he smiled. If I wasn’t leaving the next day I would no doubt be being more cautious around him. Because a man like that wouldn’t give a woman like me anything but a broken heart. But, as it were, I could throw caution to the wind and not worry. At least for one night.
“Yeah, I think that was aimed at me,” I said, leaning my elbows on the bar.
The evening was dying down and only a few tables remained. I looked over, seeing Katie sitting at in a booth with Beth and a couple of guys, since it was so quiet.
“You?” Caleb probed, and I switched my gaze back to him.
“Yeah, I’m uh, I’m leaving tomorrow,” I said with a smile.
That was a good thing.
It was exciting.