Page 117 of Heart of Thorns

“Patronage pays the bills,” he replies. “Saw your game this weekend. You took a killer hit.”

I raise one shoulder. “Part of the game.”

“You ever consider fighting?” His dark-brown eyes bore into mine. “Taking hits is half the job. And half the fun.”

“Nah.” My gaze lifts up and over him. I spot some hockey players, some of my teammates, a lot of girls in tight dresses… no Stephen, though. “Sorry, man, I’m trying to find my friend. I’ll see you around.”

Cross nods slowly and slips past me. He doesn’t seem like the party type, but I put that aside. I spot Stephen heading into the kitchen, where the bar is most likely set up, and follow him.

Me

Now would be great.

Briar

On it.

I wait a minute.

Rhys

He’s not going anywhere.

He means Ben—which also means that her ex is a sucker. I try not to scowl and instead pursue Stephen. I step up behind him at the keg.

“Hey, McDowell,” I say above the music.

He glances back and grins. “Thorne. Want a cup?”

I nod.

He hands me his full one, then pours another for himself. I tip my head toward the sliding doors that lead out onto the back porch, and his eyebrow ticks up for a second. It smooths, though, and he follows me.

The music still reverberates out here, but I can hear myself think. The cold wind blasts through my sweatshirt, though, and Stephen is only in a long-sleeved shirt.

We’re not going to last long out here.

I take a sip of the beer.

“What’s up, Captain?” Stephen eyes me.

“I wanted to talk to you about something, but it’s kind of sensitive.”

“Consider me curious.”

This could go badly, but… whatever. “I’m worried about Ben.”

I wait for his reaction, but he doesn’t do anything. He just watches me.

“He’s been acting weird around Briar, you know? And I think it’s more than him being her ex.”And cheating on her. “I think it has to do with the fire.”

Stephen chuckles. “Like, that he doesn’t want to bang a burned chick?”

“Like, maybe he set the fire in the first place.”

Silence.

But then, Stephen’s expression shifts. He seems to be thinking—or remembering—something.