Bad Day (Hard Rock Roots) Read Online Free PDF Page B

depends on how quickly we can apprehend a suspect.” The officer all but shrugs at her and wets his lips. I don't really blame him. This America chick, she's tough shit. “If you have any questions, we're just a phone call away.” And then with a tight smile, he retreats, taking the other officer with him. As they walk down the steps of the deck, I watch them and wonder if one or both is about to go tattling to this Tyler Rutledge guy. I take a deep breath and push the thought of that other cop out of my mind – the one that Naomi stabbed. She didn't mean to kill him, and hell, I don't even have any clue if that's what killed him. The police aren't releasing any fucking details about that crap. I have to admit though, girl's got a thing for knives. I glance over my shoulder at her.
    “Well that was helpful,” America says, getting out a cigarette. Already half of us in this room are smoking. It's going to get real bad in here real fast. “And I don't want anyone hovering around me. I'm perfectly fine and well-bodied, so leave me the hell alone.”
    “It's nice to see you, too,” Naomi says, turning to face her and crossing her arms over her chest. Her blonde hair wafts around her high cheekbones and sticks to her moist lips. Fuck, if she keeps putting that lip gloss shit on I'm going to come in my fucking pants. I take my hand off the banister and lean against the newel post, waiting for her. “Can we talk?” Chills travel up and down my spine, cooling me to the core. That's right. I almost forget – America knows shit. How or why, that's what we're waiting to find out. America takes a drag on her smoke and smiles wickedly, like the cat who got the cream. Shit, this woman's scary. I'm glad my manager's the short one with the wispy hair and the shaking hands. Milo knows how to get stuff done, but he's about as terrifying as a goldfish.
    “No.” Just that one word. She turns away and starts gesturing at the roadie chick with her cig. “Just stack everything here and we'll deal with it later.”
    “America?” Naomi needles, stepping closer to her while the rest of the group disperses, some moving down the darkened hallway behind me, others coming for the stairs.
    “I get first pick,” I whisper as Ronnie passes, and he flips me off, trudging up the steps like his body's too heavy for him to hold. If I was into hugs, I'd probably give him one. Looks like he could use a fucking squeeze.
    “Not right now, Naomi. Go get showered, get the blood off your chest.” She turns back to my girlfriend – because Naomi is my girlfriend whether she knows that or not, first one, too – and gives her a severe look, pupils shifting ever so slightly towards Hayden Lee who's just settled down on the couch next to Dax. I don't think he even knows she's there. I kinda think he might be asleep, but if he's not, then we might need to reconsider his involvement because he's letting Hayden put her head on his shoulder. “Once you've had some sleep, we'll talk.” She reaches out and pats Naomi's shoulder awkwardly. “I promise.” And then she's walking away, running her finger across the tabletop and frowning when she lifts it up for examination.
    Naomi sighs and turns away, catching my gaze and freezing like a deer in the headlights. We're in awkward territory here. We had separate rooms at the hotels, but ended up sleeping in one or the other every night we were there – even if she didn't always fuck me. Let's just say, I've been doing a lot of masturbating in the past week. My poor arm is already sore. If the arm's sore, it's a bad day. That's what Trey always says – said – says. I can't think of him as being gone, especially when he's not. If we come to that bridge, I will cross it, but until then I'm going to stay hopeful.
    “Come upstairs with me?” I ask, and I hate how soft my voice sounds. Naomi doesn't though. I think it's the only thing that actually gets her to come over to me. Before she does though, she