Probably the best idea she’s had all night. I stand and take my bowling towel from my bag. I quickly clean up the puddle of pee and then walk over to the bar to throw the towel away. Yes, I know washing machines exist, but I am not keeping a towel that was once used to mop up pee. Not happening.
As I’m walking past the refrigerator with bottled beer, I pause when something catches my eye. I yank the door open to get a closer look. I can’t believe it. What the hell? I grab a bottle of my beer and march to the counter.
The bartender startles when I slam the bottle down on the bar. “Where did you get this beer?”
His brow wrinkles as he looks at it. “From the back room?”
“And why was it in the back room? I want to talk to the manager!”
Hailey sidles up to me. “What’s going on, crazy girl?”
I point to the bottle. “They have my beer.”
“Wahoo!” she cheers. “Awesome.” She motions to our group. “Hey, everyone! They have Suzie’s beer here.”
I bat her hand out of the air. “You don’t understand. They shouldn’t have my beer.”
“Why not?”
“I don’t have a contract with them.”
She shrugs. “Big deal. They probably bought a couple of cases from your online store and are selling it.”
“But—”
Grayson throws his arm around my shoulders. “But Suzie doesn’t want anyone to know about how awesome her beers are. Isn’t that right? You’re scared to let people try them.”
I scowl at him and shuffle forward until he has to drop his arm. I may be extremely pissed the bowling alley is selling my beer without signing a distribution contract with me, but my body is more interested in lighting up like a freaking Christmas tree when he touches me. Stupid body.
“Stop trying to bait me.”
He smirks. “But it’s fun.” He lays a five-dollar bill down on the bar before taking the bottle of Short but Stout. “Come on. Let’s go.”
“But I want to talk to the manager,” I grump as they try to shuffle me back to our lane.
“Fine. But if you don’t take your turn, you’ll have to forfeit.” Grayson raises his eyebrow in an obvious challenge.
“Forfeit,” I growl. “I am not forfeiting. You want me to forfeit because we are kicking your asses.”
Somewhat of an exaggeration since we’ve only bowled one frame and Phoebe didn’t actually take her turn.
“I’ll let you bowl for Phoebe,” Hailey says.
Darn it. She knows she has me. “Fine,” I give in.
We spend the next couple of hours bowling and goofing off. Anytime my eyes stray to the bar, Grayson snaps his fingers in front of my face and shakes his finger at me. What is he? An old lady trapped inside a hot man’s body? I force my eyes to remain on his and not go roaming over his body although roaming his body is exactly what my eyes and fingers and tongue want to do.
“That cheered me up!” Grayson declares as he walks me to my truck.
“Ah-ha! You admit you needed cheering up.”
He rolls his eyes. “Give it up, girl.”
I smile and nod as if I agree. I don’t. Sneaky Suzie is coming to your rescue, Grayson. You just wait and see.