Zack cursed winter and all its viruses. He cursed the weather and he cursed Jake for taking on a flock of fucking alpacas. And he cursed the damn cretins who’d patched up the barn the alpacas were now in for being fucking idiots and not doing a proper job in the first place.

“I’ll get the first round in to say thanks,” Jake gave him the shit eating grin that he reserved for women he was trying to charm and family members whose night he’d scuppered.

“It won’t be just the first round. I told Sorrell we’d be there an hour ago,” Zack groused. “If one of those fucking idiots from the rugby club is chatting her up, I’m going to feed your testicles to the fucking alpacas as a treat.”

Jake laughed, because that was what Jake did. Zack didn’t remember ever seeing him in a bad mood, even as a teenager. Alex had been pretty similar; but when he’d been pissed off at something—which was rare—he’d been really pissed off.

The bar was packed when they entered, but the noise was dominated by the new coven in the corner.

Sorrell, Rayah, Keren and Gwensi were sitting round a table, a couple of empty pitchers by them, and the gazes of most men in the bar on them.

“For fuck’s sake,” Zack cursed, feeling his blood boil a little hotter than Hades. “That does not look like a civilised night out.” Rayah appeared to be getting ready to get on the table to dance, Coyote Ugly style. Luckily, Keren grabbed her arm and forced her to sit down.

“It’s a Friday night in Severton. There’s nothing civilised about it,” Jake’s smile was broad and amused. “Wouldn’t hurt you to let loose a little, you know. I bet Sorrell would prefer a man who doesn’t have a rod stuck up his arse.”

“Thanks, Jake,” Zack mumbled. “I hope your dick shrivels up like a dried out prune from lack of moisture. When is the last time you got laid?”

Jake didn’t respond. Instead his smile was dirty as he made his way over to Rayah and Keren and the other women to say hi, before heading over to another group of women that Zack didn’t recognise.

Fresh meat.

His cousin’s favourite kind.

Sorrell stood up as soon as she saw him and wriggled out from the table to come towards him. Rayah and Gwensi started to catcall raucously, shouting a couple of obscenities that he was pretty sure they’d still be coming out with even if they were sober. He was used to Rayah’s ways and was immune to them; Gwensi—he’d only heard about through Sorrell.

“Was everything okay with the alpacas?” she said, looking puzzled. “I don’t think I ever envisaged saying that before.”

“They were fine. Jake just wanted to make sure the barn was properly insulated before the snow started.” He stuffed his hands in his pockets to stop himself from wrapping them round her. He wasn’t adverse to public displays of affection, unlike Scott, who was apparently adverse to everything, but he wasn’t sure where Sorrell stood on the matter.

He studied her and thought once again that her ex was a dickhead of the first order and then he took his hands out of his pockets and placed them on her hips.

“I’m sorry we didn’t get to go on our date,” he said. “Next week.”

She nodded. “Tuesday is good.”

“Then I’ll clear Tuesday.”

“I can try to organise another night if that doesn’t work…”

He silenced her with his mouth, stopping caring whether she did PDA’s or not. It had been too long since he’d last kissed her and despite all the texting they’d done, he’d missed her. Now she was here, looking like all of his Christmases wrapped up in one tiny package and he wanted to make sure that the rest of Severton knew she wasn’t fresh game.

Her response wasn’t what he expected. He thought she’d be surprised and led by him, but instead she gave back, demanding him, moving her hands up his back to his neck where she pressed her fingers.

He put their foreheads together as the kiss broke, maintaining a connection between them by looking in her eyes.

“That was… something…” she said. “And very public.”

“Does that bother you?”

“It used to.” The voice came from seemingly nowhere.

Her head turned around sharply and her grip loosened on Zack’s shoulders and neck.

“Mark?”

Zack looked at the tall blonde man who had entered the bar. He was broad, but nothing like the broad frame that came from manual labour, and he was what Rayah would possibly have found attractive.

He was also Sorrell’s ex-fiancé, judging by the name and her reaction.

“Hey,” he said. “I went up to the hotel to see you but you weren’t there. Some girl said you’d be down here.”

Mark stood there with his arms open, as if he was expecting her to jump into his embrace and be carried away. Instead, her arm went around Zack’s waist and he felt the heat of her through their clothes.

“No warm welcome for your fiancé then?” He seemed to be loud deliberately, looking to cause a scene.

Zack became aware of Scott and Jake standing behind him. He knew Scott would have no issue turfing him out of the bar, and Jake would have even less of an issue illustrating just how else he could use his fists.

“Ex,” Sorrell said. “Ex-fiancé, and ex-business partner. And ex-patron of this bar.”

Mark didn’t look in the slightest bit fazed. “Can we not just talk? You know, like civilised adults.”

“We could,” she said. “But I’m not sure what else there is too say, especially seeing as it’s a Friday night and we’re in a bar. If you have something serious to discuss, such as the money you owe the hotel, then we can meet next week at the hotel. Or even better, discuss it via email.”

Zack was aware that Gwensi had joined Scott and Jake. He felt Sorrell brace.

“You see,” Gwensi started. “Sorrell’s more reasonable than me: I’d have you kicked out of here, strung up and your penis ripped off and fed to the cows. The only reason you’re round tonight is because someone mentioned the review in Best Hotels and that all the hard work is now done. Fucking shyster.” She launched the rest of her drink over him and a round of applause drowned out the music. Severton didn’t always take well to strangers that came in with demands.

“Fucking bitch,” Mark moved aggressively towards Gwensi, his chest puffed out and arms wide, a cockerel about to fight. “You’ve always been a fucking pain in the arse…”

It was at that point Zack let go of Sorrell and moved forward simultaneously with Scott and Jake. He and Jake each grabbed hold of one of Mark’s arms while Scott said a few choice words, only putting him down when he was a good few feet away from the entrance to the bar.

“You don’t get to talk to women like that,” Scott said. “I don’t give a shit what they say to you, the gentlemanly thing to do is to say nothing and fuck off otherwise you look like a complete fucking twat.”

“Fucking let me go, fucking country fucking imbeciles…” He pulled his arms free and took a swing at Scott, alcohol and idiocy making the hit a soft one, but it was all Scott needed.

Zack didn’t flinch as Scott’s right fist made contact with Mark’s jaw. He’d seen this before, not often, thankfully as Scott had a lot of self-control and most of the town were aware that Scott could sort out his own battles.

Mark, however, did flinch. Jake and Zack stepped away, giving the man a chance to defend himself but instead he rubbed his jaw. “I’ll be fucking reporting that to the police,” he said. “GBH. Get your lawyers ready.”

Scott looked non-plussed. “Then the police will recommend you keep your distance in the meantime. If you need a taxi, there’s a rank two streets away.” He wiped his hands on his jeans, job done.

“Tell Sorrell to come out here so I can speak to her,” Mark demanded. “And I’ll think about not pressing charges.” He looked at Zack, his mouth twisted in a sneer. “You always prey on other people’s women?”

Zack laughed, no other reaction seeming appropriate. “Sorrell isn’t wearing your ring. I believe that was your choice, like the decision to leave her behind with the hotel you so desperately wanted, but not as much as the opportunity to house your dick elsewhere.”

Mark had the good sense to look contrite. “Yeah, well, we can all make mistakes.”

Zack Maynard was not a bastard. He was not a walkover, nor was he a tyrant. If Mark had turned up and seemed like a decent guy who had just got cold feet Zack would’ve understood that. But he didn’t appear that way; instead he was arrogant.

“It wasn’t a mistake, Mark. You did us both a favour,” Sorrell said. “And your timing was impeccable. If you’d left splitting up till after we got married, you’d have been able to cash in at my expense.”

Zack looked at Sorrell. She wasn’t wearing her coat and her arms were wrapped round her to try to keep warm. He wanted to go over there, to offer up his own body heat to keep her warm but he knew it would be taken by both Mark and Sorrell as him trying to piss on his territory.

“I was panicking over the commitment…”

“You were bored and you wanted to dip your dick elsewhere,” she said, as if she was bored with the conversation. “We stopped having sex. You were always away or too tired. Move on from us because I’m not an easy lay for you to come back to when you get dumped by your latest fuck buddy.”

He bit his lips together and Zack wondered if he was going to say something really shitty, like she should be grateful for his attention or some sort of crap like that.

“I was in love with you,” he said, although it was almost a whimper.

Sorrell shrugged. “I don’t doubt that. But you’re not anymore. It was nice while it lasted and I’ve since moved on.”

“With him?” He gestured at Zack.

“With myself. I don’t need a man to hold my hand.” Sorrell smiled. “And if I didn’t know that beforehand, the last few months have proved it. If you need to speak to me about something important then send me an email and we can arrange to meet. I don’t think there’s any reason to though. Have a good life.” She turned around and walked away, ignoring Mark shouting her name after her.

“You heard the lady,” Zack said. “I think she’s made it perfectly clear where you stand in relation to her.”

“And yourself. Clearly she doesn’t need a man. Maybe there was more to her and that bitch in there than just ‘friends’.” There was another sneer to Mark’s lips, one that made Zack’s composure crack.

He moved forward using sheer strength to land a hand on his chest and pushed Mark backwards towards the wall of the bar. It was then he heard the familiar blare of an engine and resolve took over.

“Get the fuck out of this town and don’t come back unless Sorrell asks you to. You have no reason to be here. And if I see you here again, without her request, I will pulverise you into alpaca food.” He let go and took a few steps backwards, seeing the man look genuinely shaken up.

“Everything okay here?” Alex got out of the car with Hansel, one of his police dogs. “Keren sent me a message suggesting my presence was required.”

“Fucking Keren,” Scott muttered, heading back into the bar.

“That’s what he wishes he was doing,” Jake said. “Can’t blame him. And if he doesn’t get his act together, I may attempt it myself.”

“I wouldn’t advise it.” Alex patted the dog. “Scott won’t keep his fists to himself just because you’re related.”

“Scott’s a pussy cat,” Jake said. “Although he’s given that nobhead something to think about.” He nodded at Mark.

Alex raised an eyebrow and shook his head. “I’m not on duty, so not my circus and definitely not my monkeys.” He took a few steps towards Mark. “Have you any reason to stay around? I’m thinking it might be best if you head off on your merry way.”

Mark took a step forward and then seemed to think better of it. His mates had appeared, a little late to the party and clearly drunk, so now would’ve been a good time for him to retaliate.

He didn’t though. Instead he nodded at Alex and headed towards Tweedledee and Tweedledum and made a comment about heading over to Leeds. Zack would’ve quite happily paid the cab fare.

“Can’t believe I escaped this arse-end of a town,” he said. “And as for my ex-fiancée, you’re welcome to my sloppy seconds.”

Alex gripped Zack’s arms behind him before he could launch for the man.

“Go inside and check that Sorrell is okay,” Alex said quietly into his ear. “Then make sure we all have a good night.”

Zack nodded, still watching Mark as he exited the area, climbing into a black cab and on his way to being somewhere else’s problem.

“The guy was arseholed. Think about what we’re all like when we’ve had a few too many. Not much better than that,” Alex said, starting to release his grip. The dog was sitting next to them, watching the scene with boredom.

“Did Keren really call you?” Zack tried to distance himself from what had just happened and why.

“She did. She was worried Scott was about to get himself into trouble,” Alex said. “Don’t tell Scott that though. I don’t think he’d take too kindly to her sentiments.”

“Gotcha,” Zack said as Alex fully released him.

He strode into the bar, his eyes searching through the crowd for Sorrell. He saw her standing near their table with Gwensi, both of them looking far too serious for a Friday night.

“Sorrell,” he said as he drew close enough to be within her hearing range. “Have you got five minutes?”

He wasn’t sure what to expect as she turned to face him. Anger, maybe? Embarrassment?

“Has he gone?” she said, sipping at what looked like a Long Island Iced Tea.

“He’s gone. I’m sorry we got involved,” he said. Gwensi shot him a smile and shifted through the crowd towards Keren and Rayah, leaving them on their own.

She shrugged. “He wasn’t always like that. Just when he’d drank a few too many and was with his mates. Don’t judge me based on what he’s like.”

Zack shrugged. “Don’t judge me on how I reacted then. Fists don’t solve everything.”

“But they help sometimes,” she said. “Let me buy you a beer.”