Jack (Summon a Bad Boy 2)

Jack (Summon a Bad Boy 2)
Megan Slayer
All rights reserved.
Copyright ©2022 Megan Slayer

Karey grinned. “I don’t want to sing karaoke all night.” She tucked against Jimmy. “Why not give yourself the chance to look for someone, but don’t expect him to be right outside. Let him find you.”

“Right.” She hated to admit Karey might be right, but she also hated to admit she wanted the guy to be right outside. Hell, anywhere close would work. Somewhere she’d find him.

“See you.” Karey left with Jimmy, abandoning Mandy at the bar.

So much for her friend. Nikki, Natalie and Sarah danced while various men ground with them.

Mandy shook her head. Her friends could want her to be there, but she refused to hang out at the bar. She needed some air. She ducked out to the patio and leaned on the fence. The chilly breeze cleared her mind but made finding her dream man a little more difficult. There wasn’t anyone else on the patio except for another bouncer.

She might as well talk to him instead of ignoring him. “Hi.”

The bouncer smiled. “Hi.”

“I’m Mandy.” She pulled her jacket around her tighter. “Chilly, isn’t it?”

“Sure is.” He nodded once and said nothing else.

She didn’t mind. She liked to talk. “I came here with my friends as the designated driver. I don’t drink, so that sort of helps. They wanted to go out, and I had nothing else to do,” she said. “I don’t know. Hanging out with them makes me feel silly. I feel left out. They’re all fun and easygoing, but then there’s me.”

He half-smiled.

Maybe he wasn’t listening. Maybe he didn’t care. She did. She stared at him. The man wasn’t bad-looking. Strong jaw, dark eyes, a little bit of scruff… or was it that he’d never be able to achieve a clean shave? The muscle in his jaw tightened, and he stood with his hands behind his back. His muscles strained under his tight shirt and leather jacket. He stood about half a foot taller than she did, just the perfect height.

The karaoke singing stopped and a song played on the speakers. She bobbed her head. “I like this band. They’ve got a way of hitting the groove, while keeping the feel of the song hard and getting the feel of the lyrics across.”

His eyes sparkled and he nodded slightly. “I like them.”

“Dale Krieger and Scotty Norman wrote this song.” She prided herself on knowing the lyrics and writers.

“I didn’t know that.” He leaned on the wall. “I’m impressed.”

“Yeah?” She dragged over a stool and sat beside him. “I listen to them and whatever’s on the radio at work. I work at the Craig’s store,” she said and took a breath. “I guess I like the band because they really seem to get me. They don’t know me, obviously, but it’s like they’re singing my life. They understand how sometimes I feel invisible. I know I’m not a bad person or a lousy girlfriend, but I never feel good enough.”

This time he didn’t reply. He’d probably heard plenty from other people while at the bar, and she annoyed him. She had to. How many times had Sarah told her to be quiet?

“I know I talk too much. I don’t do well with silence, and I hate sitting still,” she said. “I’m annoying you, aren’t I? I get that a lot.” She fidgeted with her ring. “I got this one from my grandmother. It’s not worth anything, but I love it because it reminds me of her.”

“It’s nice.”

At least she’d gotten him to talk. “I like your tattoo.” She touched his hand. “That’s neat. Did it hurt to have the top of your hand inked?” She’d think it would. “I don’t mind needles, but I hate pain. Where did you get them done?”

“Tattoo You.”

“My friend Karey’s boyfriend owns that shop.” She nodded. “I’ve only been there once. It seems nice.” She wasn’t sure what to expect from a tattoo shop, but his seemed decent enough.

“Kurt?”

“No, Jimmy. I like him. He treats Karey well and is polite.” She nodded. “I met Kurt once. He left when I showed up.”

“He’s private.”

She stared at him again. “So are you.” She held out her hand. “My name is Mandy.”

He dipped his head once and shook hands with her. “Jack.”