Page 9 of The Love of Secrets

I knew he would come right away. He never turns down a good time. Cecilia returns with my drink. This time I look up into her eyes. I could fucking drown in those coffee-colored eyes that say so much in them and I would die a happy man. We both stare at each other for what feels like an eternity, but I know is only a few seconds. She is the first to look away as she places my drink down on the table.

“Enjoy,” she says breathlessly.

I’m disappointed when she walks away without another word, but thankfully Alex joins me a few minutes later. Even though my brother isn’t as serious as Dexter and me, he helps to balance us out

“How’s it going, man?” He asks as he slips into the stool next to me.

“Today was a shitshow at the gym. One of the machines broke and then I had a few people call out. Dad called. I just needed a break.”

“What do you mean Dad called? For what?” His voice drops to a low, serious tone.

I wave him off. “It doesn’t matter. I told him no.”

I never want my brothers to feel the dead weight of what we call our father on their shoulders. I know I haven’t always stopped them from feeling it, especially for Dexter but if I can help it, I try. Before Alex can ask me anymore questions, Cecilia stops by and taps the table. My eyes immediately go to her, but she avoids any eye contact. What she does hits me right in the chest.

“What can I get you?” A genuine, full-on smile takes over her face when she talks to Alex. Jealousy wracks my body and I want to knock Alex the hell out, so she’s only looking at me.

“I’ll have what he’s having.” He tilts his head in my direction.

Cecilia turns and walks away without even glancing at me.

I never let her leave my sight, keeping tabs on her as she goes from customer to customer and serving them. With each one, I know my lips drop more and more into a frown. Her smiles are supposed to be only for me.

“Aww, I see why you came here,” Alex chuckles. “I thought it was weird that you would willingly come to the bar by yourself.”

“Don’t know what you’re talking about. I just came to get a drink and unwind.” I don’t turn toward him and even though I know I’m being obvious; I still deny what he’s trying to say.

From the corner of my eye, I can see Alex roll his. I’m not really listening to his sarcastic reply. “Huh. That’s why. I’m sure.”

“Do you think Dexter will ask Hazel to marry him soon?” Alex thankfully changes the subject. It’s been a running joke between the two of us that Dexter needs to hurry and lock her down before she tries to run again.

“Yes. It wouldn’t surprise me if it’s in the next few weeks. Even though she’s only been back a little while, they’ve been on track to get married since they were eight.” I keep my eyes on Cecilia the whole time I answer my brother.

“Exactly.” Excitedly, he snaps his fingers at me. “It’s like magic or destiny.”

My girl walks over to us as Alex is still talking about magic and shit and drops his drink off. He then looks at me with a glint in his eye. “You know you never gave me your name the other night.” He directs the statement toward Cecilia, and I grit my teeth at his invasion.

She gives him a soft smile. “Cecilia.”

“I haven’t seen you here before. Are you new in town?”

“Yes. I just moved here.”

He leans forward on his elbows, getting closer to her, and I have to use all my strength not to knock him out. He looks over at me and gives me a wide fucking grin. I know he’s about to do something that will make me want to fuck him up. “Well, Cecilia, you are fucking sexy. Would you like to go home with me tonight?”

I can’t help but let a growl out and smack the table, causing Cecilia and Alex to jump. They both look at me and when I see Cecilia, her body is rigid, and all the blood has rushed from her face. I start to stand up from my stool, which breaks her from whatever was gripping her. She shakes her head, turns, and runs away.

I keep my eyes on her and see that she is wiping her face as she runs to the back of the bar. A protective feeling comes over me and I smack my brother in the back of his head.

“What the hell was that for?” he yells, rubbing his head where I hit him.

“Why the fuck are you hitting on her?”

“I just wanted to see how you would react. And I knew it. You like her and she’s the reason we came here tonight when usually you just want to stay at home.”

I don’t dignify him with any response. Instead, I glare at him. But I don’t want to sit here and put him in his place. The need to get to my Pretty Girl and make sure she’s okay. I hit my little brother one more time for good measure. “I’ll be right back.”

“Sure,” he says sarcastically, but I don’t have time to make him pay for his sass.

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