The Originals (Ghosttown Riders #10)

Chapter Fifteen

“Need you to close tonight,” Ernie said. “And Grain’s here.”

Oh, hell no. Regina spun around with two bottles in her hands.

“No.”

Ernie sighed. “Gee, I need…”

Regina narrowed her gaze. “I don’t give a shit what you need. Told you last week, I’m taking the night off along with Wednesday and Thursday morning. You gave it to me.”

“Yeah, but…”

She held up her hand and walked to the door, stopping next to him. “Again. I don’t give a shit.”

Ernie muttered something under his breath, which she ignored. She wasn’t lying when she mentioned not caring. Tonight was important, and there was nothing getting in her way. It was an odd feeling to be so invested in one night. It was so unlike her, especially considering the reason and event. But this was a first in Regina’s life.

She walked out from the back and behind the bar, zoning in on the end seat. His spot. It wasn’t reserved, but her man had been known to intimidate people if they were sitting there when he came in. The locals didn’t even bother sitting there when she was working. They knew better.

Grain was sipping his beer, eyeing her from the rim of his glass. She stopped in front of him, resting her elbows on the bar, smiling. “Hey baby.”

The corner of his mouth curled.

If anyone would’ve told her she’d be settled down with a man years ago, she would have taken a bet with all her money on the opposite. She wasn’t the type to be tied down. Grain changed that a year ago. And now it was time to celebrate. It was unlike Regina, but she was almost giddy at the idea of getting away, without distraction or any interruptions. Just them together alone.

“I’ll be home by seven.”

Grain lifted his glass. “Ain’t closing tonight?”

What the… Of course not. While Regina wasn’t the typical type of woman who kept track of milestones and celebrated them all, this one was pretty big. For her and for him.

“No.” She laughed but immediately sobered up when she scanned his face.

You fucking forgot, didn’t you? She should’ve expected it. Goddammit, Grain.

Regina narrowed her gaze. “You do remember what today is, right?”

Grain glanced up at the ceiling, squinted, and sipped his beer. “Tuesday.

Asshole!

“The date , Grain.”

He continued drinking his beer, staring at her over the rim of his mug. It was a stall tactic. She knew he was well-aware he’d messed up somehow, but he hadn’t figured out what he’d done just yet. Knowing they could be there all day, Regina was going to put them both out of their misery.

“Our one year anniversary?” She raised her brows, waiting on some type of reaction. When she didn’t get one, she straightened and pressed her hands on the bar. “I told you weeks ago. I put in the time. And , I reminded you last week in bed.”

“That’s tonight?”

Oh, dear fucking God! How have I not killed you yet?

Grain slowly placed his beer down on the counter and licked his lips. “We’ll do something next week.”

“No,” she snapped, feeling her blood race through her veins. “We’ll do it tonight, tomorrow, and Thursday .”

“Fuck,” Grain muttered, grasping his mouth, eyeing her.

When the door jingled, she glanced over Grain’s shoulder to the entrance. Mick, Dunn, and Mack walked in. It wasn’t rare to see the MC brothers in Lawry, especially at the bar. However, she had a distinct feeling they were there for Grain. The fact that he refused to make eye contact with her was a dead giveaway.

The men walked over, taking seats at the bar next to Grain. Regina folded her arms and smiled at the three men.

“Long way from home, boys.”

Mick smiled then glanced between her and Grain. Of all of them, Mick seemed to have a keen sense on the tension. Mack, on the other hand, did not. As per usual, he perused her body. There was a code in the club, which Mack seemed to disregard when it came to Regina.

Mick cleared his throat. “Getting a drink and some food before we head out.”

Regina drew in a breath, resisting the urge to glare at Grain. She should’ve known that making any type of plans with Grain could never be set in stone. The club always came first. For the most part, Regina understood and accepted it. Not this time.

“Yeah, where you headed?” There was a bite in her tone.

“Outta state. Business,” Mack said, arching his brow.

“Out of state? That sounds like you’ll be gone a while.”

Mack nodded. “A few days.”

A few fucking days.

Regina slowly angled her head, glaring directly at Grain. He had the decency to not turn away this time. He stared back, and his jaw squared. This would be a fight, but not one she’d win. In very rare instances, she backed down. There was only one thing that prompted it. Disappointment. Anger she could handle, but being let down always hit differently.

Regina looked over at the brothers.

“What do you guys want?”

Regina took their order, purposely not taking Grain’s. She walked to the back, and when she heard him call her name, she drew up her hand and gave him the middle finger.

Fuck you, Grain.

****

Fuck me.

Grain white-knuckled the glass, watching her every move. She’d strategically stationed herself at the opposite end of the bar, even having a waitress bring them out their food. Except Grain. She refused to take his order. Food was the last thing on his mind watching her smile and chat with a guy at the end of the bar. He’d been warned, and out of respect for Ernie he’d keep his temper in check, but if that guy so much as laid one finger on his woman, all bets were off.

As for Regina, she was going to answer to him when he got her home. In three fucking days, asshole.

“Gee,” he snapped, and when she looked over, he curled his finger. When she raised her brows but made no move to walk over, he glared, mouthing, “Now!”

Regina smirked, which intensified his anger, and he balled his fist. She rolled her eyes, sighed, and straightened. She sauntered down the bar, folded her arms, and bent over, leaning against the bar. She was giving Grain the same view that motherfucker had gotten. Cleavage, leaving little to the imagination. His blood boiled through his veins, and his nostrils flared.

“What the fuck are you doing?”

“Working, baby.” Regina pressed her arms to her breasts, which tugged her shirt down even more. “Got no other plans but working.”

Déjà vu. This scene was all too familiar.

“Pull up your fucking shirt.” Grain growled.

Regina cocked her head, making no move to do as she was told. “Why, Grain? You know, I’ve heard guys like tits.”

“We do.” Mack snickered, and Grain turned his venomous sneer on his brother.

“Shut the fuck up.”

Mack laughed, shaking his head. Grain noticed Regina smile and give a short shrug before walking to the other end of the bar. Grain spent the next ten minutes watching her. The man she’d been talking with cashed out and left. Smart move, motherfucker.

Mick tapped him on his shoulder. “Gotta go, brother.”

Fuck!

Grain could try and get out of the run, but they were already a man short. Leaving the club vulnerable was not an option. While it didn’t sit right with him leaving her like this, Regina had to understand. This was part of his life. Their life.

He tossed cash on the bar and shouted, “Gee!”

She glanced over her shoulder. He and the brothers were standing. It was clear they were leaving.

“Get your ass over here.”

Regina snorted and waved her fingers. “I’m working, Grain. But have a great ride.”

She lost her smile and glared at him before walking into the back. Fuck, this isn’t over. No one in the world could hold a grudge better than Regina. Stubborn fucking woman.

He could’ve gone after her. His gut was telling him to. Regina wasn’t like most women he knew. She couldn’t be sweet talked, not that Grain had ever tried that tactic. In the past, if a woman didn’t like something he did, he got rid of her. Grain was about the life, not the hassle. Until Regina showed up.

“Ain’t gonna fix that right now,” Mick said, glancing over at the hallway. “But if you wanna try, we can go three in.”

Go three in. Mick was giving him an out. It was a five-man job, and he couldn’t allow them to go without him. This was part of the life. The one he chose.

Maybe the time apart would help her cool off.

“Let’s go,” Grain said and walked out of the bar.

It was going to be a long three days.