Against the Cage (Worth the Fight #1) by Sidney Halston Read Free Book Online Page B

What the fuck happened after I left?” Jack looked around as if he’d suddenly realized where they were. “Hold that thought. Let’s go across the street and grab breakfast at EE’s and you can explain there.”
    Chrissy felt tiny between the two gladiators flanking her. But while most women, or even men, would be intimidated by them, she wasn’t. These were the same guys who when they were fifteen had used Mrs. Daniels’s expensive eyeliner to paint lines under their eyes as camouflage before they went to toilet-paper the neighbor’s house. Within five minutes they had been caught and brought home to face the wrath of her dad and Mr. Daniels. All that camouflage on their faces, yet they’d worn yellow T-shirts and white shorts: Tweedledee and Tweedledum.
    She had to take two steps to one of theirs, and at some point before crossing the street toward the diner she just refused to walk that fast in her heels, so she slowed to a normal pace for her five-foot-four-inch frame. She’d just meet them there. After eighteen years of being the third wheel to Dee and Dum, she was used to being ignored. When they reached the intersection, she saw that Slade looked both ways and crossed the street, but Jack looked to his right and to his left and then glanced back. “What are you doing all the way back there?” he hollered to Chrissy.
    “Walking.”
    He headed toward her. “Why so slow?”
    “I’m not slow. You guys take gigantic steps. I couldn’t keep up. Next time I’ll bring roller skates.”
    “Fuck, Chrissy. I’m sorry.”
    “For what? It’s no big deal.”
    “It’s a big deal to me. Come on.” Jack slowed his pace, and when they reached the intersection, he rested his hand on her lower back, guiding her, protecting her.
    As soon as they reached the small diner, a heavyset older woman with pink chubby cheeks and a friendly smile greeted them. “Hiya, Jack. Haven’t seen you ’round in days. Heard about the bar fight yesterday. Glad you caught those hooligans. Earl and I were just sayin’ how proud we are of ya, son. I remember when you were just a little boy and—” She stopped midsentence when she noticed Chrissy at his side. “Oh, my word!” She clasped her hands together. “Is that little Chrissy? I haven’t seen you in a long time. Come here, darlin’.” She reached for Chrissy and gave her a tight hug.
    “Esther! Wow, it’s so nice to see you. You’re still running this place, I see.”
    “Of course. We’ve been here for thirty-five years and don’t plan on leavin’ anytime soon. Earl would wither away if he didn’t have this ol’ place to come to every day. How long you in town for?”
    “Just a few days.”
    “Oh, my son Jeffrey is in town too. Maybe you can come over for dinner. I think you two have so much in common. Remember Jeffrey?”
    “Oh … um, yes, I remember, Esther. Even though that sounds super nice, I’m only here for a day or two, and then I have to go back home. Maybe next time.”
What the hell? Do I have a sign on my forehead that says
Husband Needed ASAP?
    “Then go have a seat, darlin’. I’ll tell Earl you’re here. He’ll be delighted to see you.”
    “If you’re in the market for a date, a boyfriend, and/or steamy sex, I know someone I could hook you up with,” Jack whispered in her ear.
    Chrissy affectionately shoved him. “My goodness, I must be exuding desperation. If one more person tries to hook me up with their son, nephew, or any other relative, I’ll scream.”
    Jack let out an amused snort.
    Her mood lifted as they walked to the booth where Slade was already sitting. They slipped into the booth, facing Slade.
    “What took you guys so long? I’m a starved man. You know what kind of shit they serve in there?” Slade motioned with his thumb in the direction of the jail.
    Jack was about to answer, but Chrissy put her hand on his thigh and squeezed. He whipped his head to her and saw her eyes telling him to just let it go. She didn’t