Page 79 of Here In Your Arms

“We’ll stay for a few, then meet you at home. Is that okay?” Wes offers.

Wes knows it’s not really an option for her to say “no” to us hanging out longer, and I know it’s not really an option. However, we want her to have the opportunity to say it. We’re going to hang around for a bit with Nathan around, even if we have to let Rory think we left. Thankfully, Rory nods her acceptance of us staying.

“That would be nice. Hopefully, he doesn’t stay too late.”

“Should we talk to your manager?” I ask.

She sighs and wobbles her head back and forth in indecision. Before she can form a reply, her name is called from the bar. Rory looks over and grimaces when she sees how inundated her coworker is with her absence. Apparently, whatever help he originally had disappeared.

“I gotta go.” She gives us each a quick kiss and hustles over to the bar.

I can see Nathan try to reach for her, but she slips past him quickly and throws herself into the fray. Wes moves to sit beside me, and we watch Rory whip the bar into shape. She really is great at her job, and I think she loves it even though there are frequent days where operating is hard for her. It seems to take her focus off how she feels and gives her somewhere to funnel her energy.

“How long are we going to stay?” Wes asks.

I heave a long sigh, unsure how to answer him. “I honestly don’t know. It’s only seven. While I don’t want to leave her here alone, it’s also a long time to sit and take up table space for the servers.”

“Let’s just sit and see how the evening goes.”

“Yeah, we can do that. I want to keep an eye on her, but I’d rather not come across as overbearing, you know?”

Wes nods. “I get it. We’ll figure it out. He’s being a dick, but he’s not super concerning yet. I don’t think he’d try anything with her in public.”

“True enough.”

We spend the next couple of hours enjoying a few drinks and each other’s company. At one point, a DJ comes in and sets up a karaoke spot, so of course Wes hops up there to sing and try to get a smile out of Rory. I watch her the entire time, and between guests, her eyes are glued to Wes and a small smile graces her face.

We decide to take off around ten, giving Rory a kiss each before we go. She agrees to come to our place again, so I grab Wes’ hand and lead him out of the bar before either of us gets too clingy and claims a spot at the bar. Since I still have the keys, I start the car and get us home, looking forward to the middle of the night when Rory will show up.

Chapter 28

Rory

The bar has been nuts tonight. My boss has seen an increase in profit every night we’ve done karaoke, so he brought it in for a second night this week. I don’t mind, it’s fun to see people enjoying themselves, but it makes for a hectic evening. At one point Wes goes up to sing and I can’t help but look at him the entire time.

I’m sure my face is stuck in smile mode, like a total love-struck idiot, but he’s so wonderful and I love watching him. I’m not embarrassed at all about smiling at him. He makes me so damn happy. My brain short circuits for a minute as I realize I really am falling for both of those men. It’s a thought that’s occurred to me before, but I brushed it off as heightened emotions. This time, it feels real. It feels like falling for them is a real possibility, and I’m well along the path.

After the guys leave, I let myself get swept up in work. I know Nathan is still here, his eyes are boring into me, but I refuse to look and give him the time of day. The bar closes at midnight tonight. When I glance at the clock, I realize there’s only thirty minutes left until close. I look around, taking in the view for the first time in a bit, and see that the place is clearing out. Our bar patrons are usually the last to go, which is no surprise.

The sense of being watched has dissipated, so I glance over to see Nathan has left. I let out a subtle breath of relief and start my clean up duties. Tim is working to closing time as well, so we work in harmony to get things done as fast as possible. We have a smooth system worked out after many closing shifts together. Once the patrons are cleared out and everything is set, he takes a moment to look at me.

“Do you want me to walk you to your car?”

I smile in gratitude. “No, but I appreciate you offering and that you care.”

“Are you sure? That guy really weirds me out, and I still worry about you.”

“You’re a good friend; did you know that?”

He does an imaginary hair flip. “Well, obviously I’m the best.”

We smile at each other and head toward the exit. As we go, I see our floor manager doing one last check before leaving the bar herself. I wave at her and she waves back, wishing us a good night. Tim and I walk out and go our separate ways, parked on opposite sides of the parking lot. My keys are in my hand as I approach my car, and I click the button on my key fob to unlock it. As I reach for the handle, something hard slams into my back.

My body collides with my car, and I feel my head connect with the roof. Thankfully, it’s not hard, but the breath whooshes out of me and I’m winded even as I try to get a deep breath. There’s a weight pressing against me, and I feel panic rising in my body. I need to stay calm. It’s possible whoever this is just ran into me on accident. When I feel a hand roughly grip my hair, fear overtakes everything else. A cold sense of dread starts in the back of my head and washes down my body, freezing me in place.

“You really think I was going to give up?” a voice snarls in my ear.

Fuck.

---