Hendrix (Caldwell Brothers #1) by Chelsea Camaron, Mj Fields Page B

too, but never showed me.”
    “Oh, for fuck’s sake, Jagger; what’re you doing here?” Hendrix growls from behind me. I look back as he steps away from me to adjust his … thingy.
    “You said you wanted me to back her up tonight. Guess you got that all under control. And while you two are back here rubbing and shit, you have a bar full of people and Sally needs a hand—”
    “Oh, dear Lord,” I say, pulling the bar rag out of Hendrix’s hands. His eyes squint a bit as I wipe off my hands and toss it back to him before heading to the bar where I see a usual customer who I have guessed is Hendrix’s friend.
    “You’re early, Jared,” I say as I put his draft down in front of him.
    “Hendrix not around?”
    “He’s cooking,” I answer, pouring his shot.
    He looks a little disoriented. He’s used to Hendrix or Sally taking care of him. They interact so well with him. He’s a bit standoffish.
    “Do you have a joke for me?” I ask with a smile.
    “That’s not how it works,” he groans and takes a drink.
    “What is Bruce Lee’s favorite drink?”
    He looks at me like I’m crazy.
    “Wataaah,” I say while doing a fake karate chop.
    He takes another drink and sits back silently, reminding me I am a terrible joke teller.
    While he stares at me, I begin to feel pretty dang stupid. I am ready to apologize when he laughs so loud everyone in the bar looks at him. I immediately start laughing along, because his laugh is so over the top that I can’t help myself.
    “Is everything all right?” Hendrix walks out from the back to stand beside me.
    “She’s a keeper,” Jared says with a chuckle as he wipes tears away.
    Morrison and Jagger come up beside us, too.
    “Well, shit, Livi,” Mr. Slick laughs. “What did you say to him?”
    “Our secret,” Jared deadpans as he looks at Morrison.
    “You gonna spill it, Livi? I can’t get this son-of-a-bitch to laugh for nothing.”
    “Like he said”—I wink at Jared—“it’s a secret.”
     
     
    *.*.*.*
    Two hours later, the bar is packed, and I am actually enjoying myself. With Jared now making me feel comfortable, along with two of the locals who come in every Friday night smiling when they see me, I feel like this place is part of my home now, too, exactly like Hendrix said they all feel.
    I know their drinks before they can even sit down—High Life on tap. I mean, technically most of the regulars order the same thing, but these two always have their first round with a shot of vodka and a wedge of lime.
    “The cheap stuff, doll,” old Burt greets.
    The dinners are rolling out, and I have no idea how Hendrix is keeping up, yet he is.
    I run to the back to give him a bar order to find Morrison in the kitchen with Hendrix and the two girls from last week. I didn’t see them come in. Now I know how he is keeping up.
    The blonde kisses Hendrix on the cheek, and I turn away. I have heard all these woman talk about the Caldwell brothers, I didn’t like it then. I see her kiss Hendrix, and I definitely don’t like it now.
    “Everything okay out there?” Hendrix pulls away from the blonde bimbo and walks to me, stopping right in front of me.
    “Sure is.”
    I look around him, and sure enough, bimbo is smirking at me. Yep, she sure is.
    I rub my butt. ‘Classy and Fabulous.’ Then, I step back and pull myself together, while he looks at me in the way he always does—like he is trying to figure me out.
    “Just have some orders. People are eating at the bar. Must be your special rub.” I say it a little louder so the bimbo hears me. Though, I am shocked I said it out loud, much less to rile blondie.
    His eyebrows shoot up, letting me know I have surprised him again. A slow smirk creeps up in the corner of his lip as he shakes his head and crosses his arms in front of his chest.
    “You gonna give me the orders or keep them for yourself?”
    “Maybe I should give them to her,” I whisper.
    Now he is full-on grinning. I never noticed how white his