Lady of the Lake (Hedge Witch Diaries Book 2) by Theophilus Monroe & Michael Anderle

Author:Theophilus Monroe & Michael Anderle [Monroe, Theophilus & Anderle, Michael]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: LMBPN Publishing
Published: 2023-11-13T16:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

The smell of grease and beer hit me as Sydney and I stepped through the heavy wooden doors at Charlie’s. My stomach rumbled, the gnawing hunger from using too much magic clawing at my insides.

“Let’s grab the bar,” I suggested. Sydney nodded, and we weaved our way through the crowded tables.

I slumped onto a stool, the cracked red leather creaking under me. Sydney settled next to me, resting her arms on the scarred wood of the bar top. Through the smoky haze, I spotted Grace working at the other end. She caught my eye and held up a finger, signaling she’d be right over.

“I’m so damn hungry I could eat a horse,” I muttered.

Sydney snorted. “Maybe start with a burger first.”

I managed a tired smile. The patrons' clinking glasses and rowdy laughter grated on my frayed nerves. I only wanted to eat and get the hell out of here.

Grace sauntered over, tucking a strand of red hair behind her ear. “Hey, ladies. The usual?”

“Yes, please,” I replied. “And a double order of fries.”

Grace raised an eyebrow but jotted down our order without comment. As she turned to walk away, I slumped forward, the heels of my hands pressed into my eyes. This whole siren mess was really doing a number on me.

A warm hand squeezed my shoulder. I peered up at Sydney’s kind eyes.

“We’ll figure this out,” she assured me. “First, food. Then we can deal with everything else.”

I nodded, managing a grateful smile.

Then I straightened as a shout rang from the kitchen.

“Hey, Briar! Get everything handled with that ball sack?” Aiden called, his grin visible through the pass-through window.

I felt my cheeks grow hot as the other patrons laughed and snickered. I swear, my brother could be a real jackass sometimes. I shot Aiden a withering look.

“Figured I’d leave the ball sack to you. I wouldn’t want to take away all your fun,” I called back sweetly.

Aiden’s eyes widened in mock outrage. “I ain’t fondling no ball sacks!” His voice rose to a falsetto. “I ain’t gay!”

This drew more guffaws from the crowd.

“He did seem excited about the Testicle Festival, though,” Sydney remarked, trying to suppress her laughter.

“It’s Rocky Mountain oysters! Calf fries!” Aiden shouted defensively through the window from the kitchen. “Not ball sacks!”

Charlie emerged from his office, his face like a thundercloud. He marched over to us, hands on his hips.

“I’d appreciate it if you didn’t discuss scrotums in my family restaurant,” he rebuked sternly.

I bit my lip, trying not to laugh. “Sorry, Charlie.”

He held my gaze a moment longer before stalking away. I met Sydney’s eyes, and we both dissolved into poorly stifled giggles. Some of the tension eased from my shoulders. Trust my friends to know how to make me laugh even during the worst times.

Grace came by and set down a frosty pitcher of beer, along with two chilled mugs.

“Here you go, ladies. Looks like you could use this.” She poured us each a tall glass.

I gulped mine down eagerly, the cold brew washing away some of my exhaustion.

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