“Hendricks.” I smiled sweetly. “Do you wish to talk with us in private about something?”
“As a matter of fact, yes,” he grunted, jerking his thumb at the staff only door. “Walk.”
“Yes, Sir!” I saluted, an irritated huff leaving him as I walked towards the door without encouragement. Alex grabbed my arm to stop me, concern in his tone.
“Should I referee?”
“Did you see the video?”
“Yes. So, referee?” he replied with the hint of a smile on his lips. He knew I was in deep shit.
“I don’t have my bat, and he’s not likely to shoot me so I think we’re safe,” I answered with a chuckle, shoving the door open, and walking through the kitchen towards the office.
Luna and Archer followed, and we’d hardly shut the door before Archer exploded. “What the fuck, Riley?!”
“You’re overreacting.” I perched my butt against the desk and tugged my hood over my head, keeping my voice level. “We were drinking.”
“So you took advantage of her?” he said flatly, turning to Luna. “Did she push you into it?”
I snorted, crossing my arms defensively. I could smooth talk my way between anyone’s legs, but I didn’t have to get them drunk to do it.
“Of course not.”
He stayed silent, waiting for Luna’s reply, and she frowned. “You really think Riley would do that to me? We weren’t even really hanging out at the party. I was with Ryder, and I got a little drunk and decided to play truth or dare with some others. Some girl dared me to kiss Riley.”
His muscles relaxed, but he still didn’t look happy. “It’s not like you to play games like that, Luna. Was Stanley there?”
She shook her head, her voice tight. “He knows what happened. We’re fine.”
“You mean, he saw the video and confronted you,” he muttered, glancing over his shoulder as Landon wandered in without knocking, a smirk on his face.
“Hey. It’s tense in here.”
“Read the room, kid,” Archer grumbled, looking at me before pointing at Luna. “See her? No touchy.”
“I’ll try to keep my hands to myself, but it’s difficult,” I taunted, and he was apparently over my shit because he stalked out without another word, making me chuckle once more. “She’s an adult, Hendricks! You can’t keep her safe from me forever!”
“You’re dead to me!” Archer called back, and I couldn’t help but laugh. He was so easy to torment.
Landon raised an eyebrow, glancing between us. “Was that about the video? Dad sent me in here to make sure you didn’t get blood all over his desk.”
“Yeah. I feel like we never hang out anymore,” I replied, trying not to draw attention to the fact Luna was now leaning against me, her fingers absently teasing my thigh as she followed the conversation. I wasn’t going to stop her from touching me. I carefully slid an arm around her middle, my fingers brushing her waist. She didn’t move away, so I pulled her into me more.
Landon noticed, but he simply gave me a small smile and acted like he didn’t see it. “You two have been busy, and if I’m not working here, my dads have me working the bar at the shed or Devil’s Dungeon. It’s like they don't want me to have spare time.”
“They just don't want you getting in trouble. He’s probably been speaking to Mom.” I snickered. “They don’t like the company I’ve kept lately, so your dads aren’t likely to want you around them either.”
“Ooh, are they hot?” He smirked, waggling his eyebrows. “Why haven’t you told me about them until now?”
“They’re guys. Wait, there’s one girl. What’s her name?” Luna asked, thinking hard for a moment before clicking her fingers and looking up at me. “Blake. Her sister’s the one that’s living with you, right?”
I nodded, not liking that Turbo and the Night Thieves knew who Luna was now.
“Yeah. Kate’s a good kid. She’s quiet, but she likes spending time with some of the other kids when she’s not at school,” I replied, glancing at Landon. “You would’ve heard of Ander Lavaro, right?”
He groaned, running his fingers through his short, brown hair. “Of course. Harley was talking about him recently, saying the only reason the Psychos haven’t dealt with him is because he keeps his shit out of Ashburn Valley. You’re friends with him? Isn’t he like, some mafia kid?”
“We’re associates,” I said, waving dismissively at him. “We hang out sometimes. But no, he’s not part of the fucking mafia.”