Sunshine leaned in front of City, looking Bear straight in the face. “I think you’re pretty.”

City looked down at her. “You can’t be fuckin’ serious?”

She peered up at him, giving him a warm smile. “Everyone is beautiful, babe.”

He dragged his hand across his face. “Jesus. The woman likes everyone.” Glancing toward the ceiling, City let out a loud sigh.

Bear slapped him on the back, laughing. “Lucky for you, man. How else did you get yourself such a wonderful girl?” Bear gave City’s shoulder a tight squeeze.

A grin crept across City’s face. “That was my thing.”

Everyone broke out into laughter.

Sunshine rested her head on his chest as she looked up at him. “That sealed the deal, baby.”

Bear blanched and turned his eyes on me. “You up for the challenge, little man?”

I pushed my chest out, squared my shoulders, and smiled. “You’re on, old fuck,” I said with a gleam in my eye.

“You boys are bad. You shouldn’t treat girls that way,” Sunshine added as she glanced between Bear and me with her mouth agape.

I cleared my throat, leaning back in my chair. “We won’t treat them any other way than they want to be treated, sweetheart. Not every woman is looking for a relationship.”

She nodded slowly, giggles bubbling out of her. “Works for me.”

“What’s our target?” I rubbed my chin and thought about the best way to go about this. Really, no matter how we did it, I’d win. I’d never lost at anything. “Quantity or—”

“Here’s your drinks, guys,” Brandy interrupted, placing her tray on the table before handing them out.

“Thanks, Brandy.” Bear leaned forward and cleared his throat. “Can I ask you something?”

Here we go. I knew what was coming. Bear had been sweet on her, but then again he was sweet on a lot of girls. He didn’t know a thing about Brandy and me. We kept our arrangement on the down low. It wasn’t anyone’s business but our own.

She looked up at him, chewing her lip. “Sure, Bear. What’s up?”

“Well…” His eyes shifted. “Tank here wanted to know if you’re taken.”

Brandy blushed, glancing down at the floor. “No, I’m single,” she whispered as her face turned red.

“Brandy.” Tank’s voice was soft as he reached out and touched her arm. “It wasn’t me asking, but don’t be ashamed, babe. You’re a beautiful woman.”

Her eyes met Tank’s. “Thanks, Tank. You’re really sweet.” She winked at him and turned her attention toward Bear. “Anything else?” she asked as her body straightened.

“We’re good.” City dragged a beer in front of him and barely hid his amusement. “Thanks, Brandy. You can leave before one of these assholes says something else.”

She nodded and hugged her tray before she walked away.

“You’re assholes.” Sunshine shook her head.

The entire table turned to her and gawked.

“Mark this day in the books, men—Sunshine swore,” Bear announced, pretending to write a note on his palm.

“Fuck off. Stop harassing my woman,” City ordered, kissing the top of her head and pulling her closer while glaring at Bear.

“Fine. Back to what we were talking about before. Are we going for quantity or do you want to go head-to-head?”

Tank cleared his throat before he choked on his beer. “That didn’t sound right,” he said in a strangled voice.

“Sick fuck,” Bear snapped. “So what’ll it be, Frisco? Are you man enough?”

I leaned forward, rubbing my hands together, ready for the challenge. “I can beat your ass head-to-head any day. What’s the target?”

Bear leaned forward too, glancing around the table and speaking quietly. “Brandy.”

My eyebrows rose as I caught a glimpse of her across the room. “Brandy?” I asked, keeping my voice low. “Seriously? You think you can land her after that bullshit you just pulled? Her body language when she left didn’t say fuck me.” I laughed, knowing I had this one in the bag.

Bear smirked, toying with the scruff of hair hanging from his chin. “She wants me.”

“Clueless,” Tank mumbled before he brought the beer bottle to his lips.

I studied him and almost felt sorry for what was about to happen, but the feeling quickly passed. “What am I going to win when I crush the hell out of you?” This shit would be way too easy. Some would say it was cheating, but this was Bear and it was like taking candy from a baby.

“Fifty bucks.”

“Cheap fucker,” City muttered.

“One hundred, then,” Bear said.

I grabbed my beer, took a sip, and studied Bear. “You’re on, man. Ready to go down quicker than a hooker lookin’ for a fix?” The corner of my mouth twitched as I tried to hide my amusement.

“In your dreams, prick,” Bear shot back and cracked his neck, readying himself for victory. “Watch how it’s done.” He pushed his chair back and stood, zeroing in on his target. “I’m going to end this before it gets started.”

I motioned toward Brandy, trying not to laugh. Bear looked so damn serious and confident. “Have at it, man. Let’s see what game you got.”

“Watch and learn, little boy.” He straightened, smoothing his shirt and beard before he marched off toward her.

“You’re already meeting her after work, aren’t you?” City asked as we stared at Bear, waiting for the scene to play out.

I nodded, unable to hide my laughter anymore. “Yeah, I talked to her when I walked in.”

Tank turned toward me. “How often you hitting that fine piece of ass?”

I glanced at him and crossed my arms in front of me, feeling a little protective. “As often as she wants.”

Tank patted me on the back, a smile creeping across his face. “That’s my boy.”

“I wish I had fuckin’ popcorn.” City shook his beer, checking how full the bottle was before slamming it back.

“Me too, man. Me too.” I tried to watch, but I kept looking away, guilt gnawing at my insides. The poor guy was about to lose and fall hard. But the one thing I knew about Bear was that he never let it affect him. The man would get knocked down and hop right back up, bigger and better than before.

“I missed you guys.” Sunshine watched Bear intently, barely breathing.

Tank glanced over at her. “Eh, we’re assholes, babe,” he muttered. “You make us better men, though.”

“Clearly that’s a lie,” she mumbled, toying with the pink umbrella resting on the rim of her drink. “You guys are up to the same nonsense as always.”

“That’s why you love us,” I reminded her before I leaned forward, resting my elbow on the table and watching the train wreck unfold before my eyes.

“Yeah, that must be it,” she muttered. “Poor Bear.”

“Oh, please. He’s an asshole,” City said.

Bear tried to wrap an arm around Brandy and sweet-talk her the same way I had when I walked in, but she slipped from his grip.

“It’s not lookin’ so good for him.” Tank laughed. “I should record this shit.”

“Sick fuck. That would just be cruel,” City said, watching as stoically as the rest of us.

Bear tried again, caging Brandy against the bar as she leaned back. If she were mine, I would’ve already been on top of him, teaching him how to treat a woman. But I knew Brandy could handle herself. Working at a country biker bar like the Neon Cowboy, she had to deal with assholes all the time.

Brandy dipped under his arms, sliding out of his hold and squaring her shoulders. She glared at him, her hands waving in front of his face, and she laid into him.

He replied, but I couldn’t read his lips. Suddenly her hand flew through the air, striking him in the face. His body recoiled as he grabbed his cheek, stunned.

I jumped from my seat, moving quickly to her aid and grabbed him by the shoulder.

“Bear,” I warned.

“Dude, what?” he said, still holding his cheek with fire in his eyes as he glared at Brandy.

“Watch it.”

He turned his glare on me. “You think I’d fucking hit her?” His mouth dropped open and he shook my hand off.