Page 135 of Exodus

He nods, pity lacing his gaze.

“Don’t look at me like that. I’m fine.”

“If you say so. Please, just be careful.”

“I’m not afraid of him.”

He flashes a boyish grin. “You’re still the same insanely beautiful, smart-mouthed, hard-headed woman you were years ago.”

“You act like that’s a bad thing.”

“I really have to go.”

I stand and pull him to me. He wraps his arms around me, and I press off my toes and whisper in his ear. “I missed you too, ya know. When I left, I feel like I lost you, too.”

“Same,” he whispers before releasing me.

“Please stay. One more drink?”

“I can’t. I’m flying out of Asheville in an hour.”

“You don’t live here?”

He shakes his head. “I haven’t in years.”

Years. “Are you going to tell me what you’ve been up to?”

“Little of this and that.”

I roll my eyes. “I don’t know why I asked.”

“It’s always better if you don’t.”

“I would say, don’t be a stranger, but I know better.” He pulls me into his hold one last time and releases me. “I wish you well, Tyler, be happy, okay?”

“I’ve got your back, Cee. Always.”

“I know.”

He winks, and like most of the other men in my life, he disappears.

I shake my emotion away, knowing I’m being watched. Pouring another shot, I wrap my hand around the glass lifting my middle finger, my intent for those prying eyes clear, and swear I hear a chuckle come from a few of them. Another sip in, it becomes easier to ignore the watchful gazes of the men lining the bar.

Minutes pass, and I kick back, rocking to my music, to Sean’s music, my limbs growing heavy with the buzz. Within the next few minutes, I’m digging through my purse, pulling out Sean’s Zippo. I flick it open and closed, eyeing the guy closest to me a table over.

“Hey,” I say with a smile.

He returns it. “Hey.”

“Look, I know this might seem out of the blue, but would you happen to know where I can get a little weed?”

He grins and lifts from his chair, his beer in hand, and walks the few feet over to get to me. “I may be able to help you,” he says, his eyes lighting as I scan his arm. No ink, and completely ignorant he’s just stepped in a ring of fire.

“Oh yeah? How much?”

“Free, if you smoke with me.”

I shake my head, regretting my decision to start the interaction. Ryan is right: I’m being stupid and reckless. But after today, I’m finding fewer and fewer fucks to give. It’s the look in the stranger’s eyes that has me on edge. “That’s not what I’m looking for.”

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