Surrender (Club X #2)(44)
Author: K.M. Scott

“So this is some game. I knew the real Stefan was in there.”

“No. No game. I’d say the same thing if she was standing right here next to me. I’m into her, but if friends is all I can have, then that’s what I’ll have to settle for.”

“And you’ll stand by our deal and lose your place for a year, along with your bike forever? That’s a pretty steep price for friendship.”

I’d all but forgotten about the terms of my bet with Kane, and the mention of losing not only my place but my bike did unnerve me a bit. It didn’t matter, though. When I made that bet, I was a different person, but I’d have to live up to my word anyway.

“I’ll tell you what, Kane. I give up. You win. Tell me when you want to move in and I’ll get my stuff out of my condo.”

“And the bike?”

I swallowed hard as the thought of losing my bike settled into my brain. “Yeah. It’s yours. You win everything,” I choked out.

“Holy fuck, Stefan! I’m stunned. I don’t know what to say. I’m going to have to think about this and get back to you.”

“That’s fine,” I said with a shrug. “Just let me know.”

Kane said not another word and walked back to Cash’s office looking like he was in a daze. At least there was that. I may have lost my place and bike, which meant I needed to find another condo and transportation, but I’d found a way to shut him up, so maybe it was all worth it.

And he hadn’t given me his standard “You have to make Lola happy” lecture, so all in all, my day was going pretty well. Now I just had to find something fun to do with Shay later on that night and my day would be made.

At seven sharp, I gathered up all the bartenders and servers for our nightly meeting, but Shay was noticeably absent. Figuring I’d wait a few minutes for her, I announced, “I forgot something in my office, so everybody hang out and we’ll get going in a few.”

I’d never wondered where a bartender was before. I’d certainly never wondered where a woman was ever before. But Shay was no ordinary woman or bartender.

Closing my office door behind me, I checked my phone to see if she’d texted or called, but there was no message. Maybe she was just running late. I resigned myself to give her some time and took a seat behind my desk. Someone knocked on my door a minute later, and thinking it was her, I yelled, “Come in! You’re late!”

The door opened and instead of Shay I saw Lola’s head peek in. “Hey, Stefan. Can I come in?”

“Sure, Lo. What’s up?”

She walked in slowly, almost as if she didn’t feel welcome, and closed the door. “I wanted to talk to you about something.”

“Take a seat. I’m giving Shay a few minutes, so we have some time to talk.”

For a second, she frowned just a little, but then her expression returned to her usual sweet smile she wore when she was around me. “Oh. Okay.” She sat down in front of my desk and hesitated a moment before she spoke again.

“Stefan, my father told me what he does to help you guys with keeping the cops off your backs. I didn’t know when I got this job, you know?”

“He helps us a lot, Lo. We’d be lost without him, so please tell him thank you for us.”

She flashed me a cute smile and nodded. “I will. The thing is, though, I’m not sure he’d want to do that if I wasn’t working here anymore.”

“Why wouldn’t you work here anymore? You planning on leaving me, Lo? You know you’re one of my best behind the bar.”

“I don’t want to, but I get the feeling I’m not really appreciated around here much anymore. You know what I mean?”

Those big blue eyes of hers didn’t look so sweet or innocent anymore. Her intention in coming to see me couldn’t have been clearer, and I understood the threat all too well. Every warning Kane had given me echoed in my mind.

You have to make sure Lola’s happy, Stefan. For all of us.

“Not appreciated? No way. You know I’d be lost without you, Lo. Who’s going to man the front bar like you?”

“Shay could. You seem to think she’s pretty good. Don’t you?”

As great as I thought Shay was behind the bar, now wasn’t the time to sing her praises. To make Lo happy, I had to lie. Thankfully, lying was one of my better skills.

“Lo, Lo. No way. You’re my number one girl behind the bar. Don’t give it another thought. You’ll always be my favorite out there.”

“Really? I had a feeling that you liked Shay more. I mean, I like her a lot, but she’s not committed to the club like I am.”

“No way. You’re my girl, Lo. The members love you. I’d be crazy to lose you. Don’t even give it another thought.”

Lola’s face lit up from her broad smile, and she stood to leave, obviously satisfied that she’d gotten what she came for. “Thank you, Stefan. It means so much that you appreciate me, and I know it will mean the world to my father. I can’t wait to tell him.”

I stood to add the finishing touch to my lie. Opening my arms, I walked toward Lola to hug her. “Come here. You know how much I need you here, Lo. Right?”

She wrapped her arms around me and rested her head on my chest, hopefully content with what I’d said to her. “I do, Stefan. I do. I guess I was just feeling insecure.”

Tilting her chin up toward me, I flashed her my warmest smile as I stared down into her blue eyes, which once again stared sweetly up at me. “We okay?”

She nodded. “We’re okay. Thanks, Stefan.”

“Good. Now get out there and show everybody how it’s done.”

“Okay! See you out there in a minute? It’s getting late. I’m sure Shay can catch up when she gets here.”

“You got it. Just let me finish here and I’ll be right out. Do me a favor and round up everyone for me, okay?”

“I’m on it!” she chirped out, happy to have a hand in helping me.

Lola closed my office door, and I took a look at my phone again. No message or text from Shay. Where was she?

I gave her ten minutes more and headed out to the bar to hold my meeting. Lola had gotten everyone together, just as I’d asked her to, and there in the back standing alone was Shay. Something about her seemed off. I couldn’t put my finger on it, but she didn’t look right.

“Okay, everyone! Sorry about the delay, but I’m sure you didn’t miss my nightly talk much, right?”