Six
Heads turn as I open the door. Yes, in walks the new girl. Next time I’ll announce myself better. Gotta love small towns.
The stares burn into me as I walk deeper inside the pub, scanning for Lana.
At least the music is pleasant.
I look around, still searching for her, when I get this prickly sensation on my skin. I realize, even though I’m far out of reach from Jason, I’m still a sitting duck. And as much as I want to believe he’ll never find me; there’s always a chance.
My heart pounds in my ears and the room shrinks.
Just breathe.
Slow deep breaths in, then out.
“Sora!” Lana saunters toward me, her black hair loose down her back. She wears perfect makeup, black jeans that hug her hips, and a stunning figure I envy. Her cute white top is icing on the cake.
“You look hot.” She gives me a hug as if I hadn’t seen her this morning. But that’s Lana. She’s always been a hugger.
“No, my bestie. You look hot. And I’m pretty sure every guy is staring this way.”
She takes a quick glance around. “Yeah. They’re looking at you, mostly. One because you are gorgeous and two because you’re their new piece of town gossip. We get bored around here and you just gave them Christmas in July.”
“Gee. I’m happy to help.”
Lana eyes me with a grin. “They’re not that bad. The folks in town. A little closed off, but good people. Come on, I saw a free table toward the back.” She snags my hand, dragging us through a thick group of people. “Mark is getting us drinks at the bar. He took me to dinner before, so we’re just now getting here, too.”
“Where did he take you?”
“An Italian restaurant.” Lana continues shuffling us through the crowd until we’re standing at an empty high table.
“You hate Italian food.” I remember Lana having a gluten intolerance growing up. Never stopped her with chocolate, though.
“What?”
“I said… you hate Italian food!”
Two men who are standing at the high table next to us look over. My heart takes a giant leap realizing who one of them is. Logan, all built and tall, stands with a beer in hand next to a man I haven’t met. That someone is just as big. But he has a darker vibe to him. While Logan has tattoos, this man has them everywhere. Ink snakes up both arms and his neck. His hair is jet black, like the midnight sky and you can easily spot the eyebrow piercing slightly hidden under one of the dark strands. His green eyes reflect off his sun kissed skin, and they are intently glaring at Lana. Okay, so they must know each other.
They have to be two of the best-looking men here. Both in jeans and a plain shirt that hug their muscles. But it’s Logan who’s drawing my attention. The way he takes me in, trying not to look too obvious, makes me suddenly aware of the warmth radiating from me. The heat rises in places I don’t think possible and the way his throat bobs is weirdly sexy.
“Hi, Logan.” Lana smiles, but it drops to a frown as soon as she addresses the other man standing there. “Crew,” she says with an icy tone and slight snarl to match. “Fancy seeing you both here.”
“Lana.” Crew’s voice is playful, but his expression is fierce and his dark brows furrow as he takes a sip of beer, eyeing her carefully over the glass. “It’s a small town, remember?”
Lana scoffs.
“And here I thought it was only me and Logan on a first name basis,” I tease, trying to break the tension.
Lana snorts and Logan gives the tiniest hint of a smile before his face slips back into the same emotionless state as before.
Not knowing what else to say, I decide to introduce myself to Logan’s friend. “I’m Sora. Lana’s an old friend and I’m staying with her for a little while,” I state without giving too much away, given the fact I don’t fully know these guys.
Lana pays no attention to Crew, trying her hardest to focus everywhere and anywhere except in his direction.
That’s weird.
“It’s a pleasure. Name’s Crew. Though, miss sunshine already said that.”
