“So what did you do?” I paused.Shit, do I want to know?I squinted, waiting for her response.
“I strapped that bad boy on—”
I inhaled my Coke as laughter rippled through me. So not what I was expecting the triple X monstrosity to be. I spluttered as the drink went the wrong way and unceremoniously shot out of my nose too. Hacking, while reaching for a napkin off the side of the bar, I held it to my face.
Tears ran down Lauren’s cheeks, her laughter loud and drawing the looks of our coworkers. But between my coughing and drags of air to try to breathe, it could have well been my own smoothness that garnered attention.
“Whoa there!” Lauren said with a laugh. She reached over and thumped my back. “You going to live?”
I coughed some more and nodded, aware tears had also dampened my cheeks. “I think so,” I gasped. “Christ, woman. Warn a guy next time.”
She pulled away from me, her grin still in place. Lauren looked far too proud of herself. I shook my head and smiled widely. Laughter still bubbled in my chest, and my throat was raw, but after the week I’d had both were welcome.
“You need a drink now?” Her words held every trace of her amusement. She leaned onto the bar and signaled the bartender. When she looked back at me, she quirked her brow in question.
“Sure.” I gave in. “But just the one.”
With a quick wink at me, Lauren ordered us drinks. She was a good friend, who truly kept me sane, especially ever since Scott had come on the scene. I glanced around the bar, seeking the guy out.
It didn’t take long before my eyes landed on him. Scott was talking to one of the young nurses, his hip resting against the bar. It was funny how such a good-looking man was so damned ugly. I supposed that’s what hate did though. It bred ugliness, pushed it through veins until it reached part of a person’s soul. That was definitely the case with Scott.
Just as I was about to look away, hearing Lauren say thanks to the bar staff, Scott’s eyes met mine. I froze, eyes widening when his gaze roamed my face and an expression I couldn’t quite place lit his features. Clenching my jaw at the absurdity of being forced to be at the stupid bar by a man who loathed me, I dragged my eyes away and reached out for the drink Lauren held out to me. I downed the contents in one, feeling the burn of the liquor as it raced down my throat.
“Wow, Carter. That wasn’t intended to be a shot.”
I flicked my eyes to hers and saw concern on her face. With a forced smile, I bobbed my head, trying to conjure some words. I needed to leave and get home to Tanner.
That thought was enough to center me, and my mouth relaxed into a more natural smile. Home and Tanner sounded perfect. While my place technically wasn’t home to him, I had every hope that one day it would be.
“Thanks, honey. But you know what, I’m going to head home.” Screw the time. I’d deal with any BS ramifications on Monday.
Her brows dipped as she reached out and took the empty glass from my hand. “You sure?”
“Yep.” I nodded. “I’m just going to head to the restroom and… crap, I don’t have my car. I’ll send Tanner a text. It shouldn’t take him long.”
“Okay. I’ll say goodbye now though. Harriet’s calling me over.” Lauren kissed me on the cheek and walked away. It was time to bail.
I texted Tanner while heading to the bathroom. He shot back a text immediately, saying he’d be ten minutes. I grinned. I could handle ten minutes. After emptying my bladder, I washed up and headed out the side door of the bar. It was quiet, especially considering it was still daylight. Though I imagined most people were still at work.
Almost at the end of the side alley, I heard the bar door open and slam shut. The sound had me glancing over my shoulder. My jaw tensed as my gaze landed on Scott, and I turned back to face forward. Scott called my name, making me pause.
I huffed a deep breath and turned to face him. Having no issue with making eye contact, I did just that, not sure what I expected to find. Distaste, hate maybe. But instead, everything about the Scott a few meters before me screamed sadness.
I remained silent and waited for him to speak. The moment seemed to stretch as he took a couple of steps in my direction, his eyes flitting quickly over my face and then into the distance before landing on me once more.
“Look.” A tremble embraced that one word, and I dipped my brow, confused as heck. Scott released a heavy breath and shoved his hands into his pockets. Before me, he rocked back on his heels a moment as if contemplating how to continue. “I just…. Fuck.”
I tensed as the word echoed around the alley. It was loud and if I wasn’t mistaken, filled with hurt and confusion. Tempted to speak, though with no idea what to say or what his intentions were, I gave him nothing and kept my mouth shut. Anxiety crawled across my skin. Regardless of what was going on, Scott had been the source of my misery for weeks. That knowledge alone was enough to keep me quiet, but not enough to have me turning and walking away.
Scott glanced into the distance. He lifted a shaky hand and ran it through his hair. I followed the movement. It was a shame; he had great hair and was a handsome guy. Yeah, he was still surrounded by all that ugly only possible when you were a douchebag, but still, there was something vulnerable about him.
“Shit,” he finally said. “I’m sorry. Okay. I’m so fucking sorry.” There was a punch behind the words, as though each syllable was a struggle, but his eyes were back on mine and spoke of hurt.
I swallowed hard, not quite believing what was happening. Everything felt a little surreal. Maybe that shot hadn’t been the best idea.
Scott chewed on his bottom lip, and I saw his arm twitch. I glanced at his hands: both were tightly fisted. Fear slithered through me, and I made to take a step back.
“No!” Scott’s voice boomed around the small space. “Fuck. Please don’t.”
