Page 16 of Waiting For Fate

She was on a fucking date that night. Coworker my ass.

I look back over to see them cozied up in line together and I know my smile is long gone because I’m biting down so hard to keep from cursing it feels like my jaw is fixing to break.

“Shit.” I look over to see Tank still standing next to me. “The girl you were talking about earlier. It’s Leah, isn't it?” he asks, his eyebrows raising in surprise. I blow out a breath and nod. No reason denying the painfully obvious.

“Yeah. It’s Leah…” As much as I don’t want to look back over and see her with someone else, I can’t seem to stop myself. She’s still talking with her friends and smiling so big her eyes squint the wider it gets.

“Since when?” This time when I answer I don’t take my eyes off her. I can’t. Like a tragedy you can’t look away from, my attention is hers.

“Since always.” As if she can feel me willing her to look my way, she turns around and our eyes lock.

I hold my breath—trying to gauge her reaction from seeing me—and my heart cracks a little when her smile falls. Then she simply turns around and continues as if I’m not even here.

Which somehow feels worse than any other reaction she could have had.

CHAPTER 6

SAWYER

“Fuck,” I murmur, rubbing a hand down my jaw. “Have they been together since Tot’s birthday?” Tank chuckles at Taylor’s nickname and I turn to face him, making him clear his throat.

“Um, I don’t think so. From what I can tell he hasn’t been around again until tonight. I mean, from what I know at least.”

What kind of fucked up karma do I have that this motherfucker shows up every time I plan on talking to Leah?

Whether they’ve been together this whole time or not, I’m not letting anything stand in my way when it comes to telling her how I feel about her this time.

How I’ve felt about her for too damn long.

Then if she wants to blow me off and continue dating the guy who looks like Egon Spengler, then so fucking be it.

“Is it too early in our friendship to ask for a favor?”

“We’re friends?” Tank raises a brow at me.

“I’m hoping my desperation sways your answer in my favor.”

“Alright but quit hitting on me. I’m happily married.” I bark out a laugh and he waves two fingers. “Let’s hear it.”

When we make it to the bottom of the hill Ruby is quickly tucked beneath Tank’s arm again, Shane is linking arms with Lauren and, as always, Taylor is acting like a cruise director.

“Okay, Tucker and I will go first, then Shane and Lauren. Moose, you can go with Tank and Ruby after Leah and Jackson.” About the same time, I glare at the back of his head, Jackson turns around and looks up at me. His smug grin wavers as realization hits him.

Ah, so he remembers me.

“Moose?” The snarky tone to his voice makes me want to thunder kick him across the field.

“Only to these four.” I glance at the girls and give Leah a wink, causing her eyes to widen in surprise before she shifts on her feet.

“Nah, dude. I’m definitely calling you that from here on out.” Tank leans forward and claps my shoulder, making me chuckle.

“Well, hey, I’m glad you could make it.” Jackson wraps his arm around Leah pulling her in closer.

Showy little ferret. Stop touching my girl.

I wonder how smug he’ll be once I steal my girl back right out from under him.

“Let’s go!” Taylor squeals, gripping Tucker’s arm so tightly he sucks a sharp breath in through his teeth.

---