Page 6 of Keep Me

Theo’s widespread grin fades, a pout on his lips. “Dang it, Mama Lewis!”

I eye him, my eyebrow perched. “Watch it.”

Theo holds his hands up in defense. “You know I’m joking. I love your mama. Go help her out and tell her that her favorite son says hello.”

My lips twitch at his long-time running joke. “Not likely. Have fun tonight,” I tell him, then escape from the bar without having her spot me.

The cool rush of October wind hits me in the face as I step outside. I only had a sip of my beer, so I’d be fine to ride my bike home, but I find myself hesitating.

Suddenly, the idea of leaving her here at the bar filled with all these fucking people makes my skin crawl. I know she’ll be with her friends, but something urges me to stay.

I tilt my head toward the black sky and focus on the few stars poking out from the drifting gray clouds. I release a breath up into the air, trying to fight this goddamn pull I feel toward her.

A group of guys exit the bar and huddles in the smokers’ area, lighting up as they begin chatting. “Hey, did you guys see the blondie little mermaid in there?” one of them coughs over his exhale of smoke.

My head snaps their way instantly, knowing exactly who they’re talking about.

“I call dibs,” another pipes up, a disgusting smirk on his face.

My blood boils, my chest heavy as anger pumps itself in every crevice of my body. “Don’t even fucking think about it,” I growl, loud enough for them to hear as I near the entrance.

Looks like I’m staying now.

“You don’t look like her Prince Eric.” One laughs before taking a hit.

I ignore the dipshit and enter the bar. I look at where Theo and I sat but don’t see them there. My eyes trail around the bar until I find Theo and Camille at a table to the far right side. So I stay on the left side and out of sight, but just enough that I can still keep an eye on their table while I nurse a beer.

Eventually, Camille and her friends make their way to the washroom. When they’re gone for what feels like too long, I decide to take a trip there myself just to make sure they’re all okay. I’m just rounding the corner when I see them.

My eyes instantly find Camille’s, while desire fuels my veins as I look at her. Fuck, she’s so pretty. Her cheeks flush as we continue to stare at one another, but Aurora interrupts the spell.

“Hey, Ryker, how’s it going?” she asks hopefully. She’s been trying to bond with me for a while now, and I gotta give the girl credit. She doesn’t stop trying.

“Fine. You?” I respond, my tone clipped.

“Jeez, still grumpy as ever. I’ll get you to smile one day.”

“Don’t count on it.”

“Maybe you need to get laid, loosen up a bit,” she suggests with that no-filter mouth of hers.

I see Camille stiffen from the corner of my eye, and I find that interesting. Is she as attracted to me as I am to her? Fuck, maybe we could get rid of the itch together. One time and be done.

But I knew deep down that one time wouldn’t be enough for me.

I focus back on the conversation at hand, needing to get away from that line of thinking, and narrow my eyebrows at Aurora. “I’m going to forget this conversation happened,” I mutter, walking past them and into the bathroom.

I grip the sink while taking deep breaths, needing to calm the hell down. Maybe that’s what I need, to get laid. Aurora might be right.

But as soon as I entertain the idea, the only person my cock gets excited for is Camille. Nobody else appeals to me right now. Jesus fuck.

I splash some cold water on my face before looking at myself in the mirror.

I’m stronger than this. Physical desires can fade, and I can control them. She doesn’t need me to watch out for her. She’s been fine all her years here, and she’ll continue to be fine without me lurking in the shadows because of some damn craving I feel to be near her.

It’s then that I make the decision to abstain from any contact with her. I don’t see her around as it is, but I’m not going to go out of my way to try to see her like I did tonight.

If there’s one thing I’ve learned from watching fairytales with my mom, it’s that every character has a weakness that pulls them in a different direction. And I fear she could be mine.

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