Crash (Sequel to Unexpected)

Carson

Exactly twenty minutes later, I pull up to the bar. I park my truck and climb out. The place seems to be packed. I guess business is doing well. A man standing near the door holds it open for me.
“Thank you.”
He nods in response before going back to his conversation. Gavin is behind the bar with a shaker in his hand. He’s smiling at a group of girls. I don’t even have to see their eyes to know they are staring at Gavin’s body. His tight black shirt highlights his biceps and pecs. He’s beefed up since the fight. His muscles are bigger and his beard is a little scruffier. I’m not complaining though. It suits him.
I spot another familiar face at the opposite end of the bar. Sonny has a beer bottle pressed to his lips. When he puts it down, his eyes connect with mine. He waves me over and I approach.
“Hey, Skye. Long time no see.”
He gives me a brief hug. It should be awkward, but it isn’t. It just feels like we are friends that haven’t seen each other in ages.
“Hands off, Carson. You got a girl.”
I turn my head towards the voice that was dripping heavily with jealousy just seconds before. My whole face gets hot as blush creeps up. I try to play it off and distract the two men from my color change.
“Carson?”
I give Sonny a confused look as I say the unfamiliar name. He stares right back at me, registering that someone I’m said his name.
“Your name is Carson?”
“Yeah. Sonny’s just a nickname the guys gave me.”
I feel like an idiot. I didn’t know this information and I knew him for long enough. Nobody senses my obvious embarrassment, so I step in.
“What did you want to talk about, Gavin?”
The brothers share an obvious look before Sonny stands up. He walks away and appears behind the bar less than a minute later. Gavin leaves the bar. He reappears beside me.
“This is a private conversation. Let’s take it upstairs.”