Chapter 10
“Call Knox,” Tucker said into the phone. “And get down here fast.”
Tucker hung up the phone and watched Creek slam another whiskey back. Creek was still sitting at the corner table where he and Violet had argued. Once again, Tucker shook his head. Violet? A prostitute?
No way! Even an idiot could see that the sweet, pretty brunette was no more of a prostitute than he was a monkey.
Love! Shaking his head, he swore to himself that he would never fall in love. Women were fun and sweet, soft and smelled great. But any commitment lasting longer than a night was for the birds!
A few minutes later, two other men burst into the bar and Tucker nodded to the back of the room.
The three men walked over to the table where their friend was trying to get drunk. And failing.
“What’s going on?” Knox asked, concerned when his friend slammed back yet another slug of whiskey. “You did this about two weeks ago.” His mind went into overdrive. “Violet?”
Tucker nodded, and Saeger rubbed his forehead. “Women!” Saeger said and looked around. “It’s Wednesday. Where’s Tyla? Shouldn’t she be getting ready for tonight’s shift?”
Tucker rolled his eyes. “She has the night off.”
Saeger’s body stiffened with anger. “Why?”
Tucker didn’t answer for a moment, his eyes narrowing on his friend curiously. “Because she took Violet home. She’d been drinking and knew she shouldn’t drive. It’s okay. Tyla is fine, she’s safe, and she’ll be here tomorrow.”
Saeger kept his mouth shut and turned back to their friend. “Okay, so what’s wrong with him?”
Tucker pulled the whiskey away and took a swig. “Call in Jeff, ask him if he can tend the bar tonight.”
Knox immediately pulled out his phone and made a few calls. Within minutes, he was back. “Jeff is taking over the bar, and Sarah is coming in to cover for Tyla. So let’s get out of here and find some place to talk that is more private.”
All three of them agreed with that, but Creek glared at all of them impartially. “I’m not talking. It’s overrated. You guys go ahead and I’ll see you tomorrow.” Another slug of the whiskey and he leaned his head back.
Tucker looked at the other three and they all understood. A moment later, Knox and Tucker had one of Creek’s arms over his shoulder and the two were helping their friend out the door. When Creek was in the back of the SUV, they climbed in and drove off, straight to Knox’s house.
While they set up the table to play pool, Creek moved off to the corner chair and scowled at the other men.
“Yeah, you just sit over there and consider the error of your ways, idiot,” Tucker said, selecting one of the pool sticks.
Creek glared at the other man, but didn’t argue with him. He was an idiot. A fool and an idiot. He’d messed up big time, and he had absolutely no idea how to fix it. Violet had been right to slap his face.
A prostitute? He had no idea what was going on, but Violet wasn’t a prostitute. More likely, her stepfather was…
“Oh hell!” he muttered with fury. “Of course!”
The three men were in the middle of a game, and barely glanced over at Creek. “I’m guessing he figured it out,” Knox said and took his shot.
Tucker and Saeger stood back, waiting.
“I need coffee,” Creek grumbled. “I need to fix this.”
“Not tonight,” Tucker said and focused on his shot. A moment later, after the ball dropped into the corner pocket, he said, “Tyla is taking care of Violet.”
“That’s not going to be good,” Saeger grumbled and missed his shot.
Knox chuckled as he moved in to take his turn. “I love it when you guys get mixed up with women,” and he sunk his ball into the side pocket. “Makes playing pool with you so much easier.”
Tucker laughed even while Creek and Saeger glared.
Creek ignored them and walked over to the bar, making a strong pot of coffee while dialing Violet’s number. When there was no answer, he didn’t bother to leave a message. Apologizing for accusing someone of selling their body for money wasn’t something that could be done via voice mail. He knew that he’d have to go over there and grovel.
Well, after he bloodied her stepfather’s nose!