Page 27 of Unexpected Love

“Can you excuse me? I’m running to the bathroom.” I make my escape, and Chris looks at me with questioning eyes. I just shake my head and keep moving. On the opposite side of the room, I grab a beer and find a spot to stand. She looks so fucking beautiful up there. I can see why their band was nominated; they have an amazing stage presence.

They sing three more songs, and then they’re done. I make my way toward the side of the stage. I need to see her, to talk to her. Fuck, I need to hold her. The security in this place is lacking, because I easily slip past the two guards that are back there.

I reach the lounge, and there are people everywhere. I recognize a couple of the bands that have already played, but I don’t want to talk to any of them. My eyes drift around the room until I spot her. She’s sitting on a bench by herself staring out the window.

“Oh no. You’re not fucking here.” I turn to see Eli moving toward me. “You need to go.”

At this point, I don’t care. He’s not going to stop me. “Eli, out of my way. You can’t keep me from her.” The look on my face must show I’m not playing, because he steps to the side. I reach her, and she must feel me walk up because she turns, her eyes widening comically.

“J-Joe? What are you doing here?” She slowly stands, turning to fully face me.

Is it just me, or is she a little thinner than before? Her porcelain skin looks even paler, if that’s possible. Without thinking, I reach out, brushing her hair back from her face. I don’t think she knows how expressive her eyes are, but it sucks when she forces her face to go blank so I can’t see the emotion in them. “You were beautiful up there tonight.”

Her cheeks turn an adorable shade of pink. “Thanks, but what are you doing here?”

“Some buddies and I rode our bikes up for a guy’s weekend. I had no clue I was going to see you, but I’m glad I am. Do you want to grab a drink or something?” We need this, whether it’s closure or something else.

“Do you think that’s a good idea? I said hurtful things…”

“I think it’s a great fucking idea. What do you say?” I wait impatiently for an answer. Even though I feel eyes on me, I don’t dare look away from her.

She nods her head. “Okay, yeah I am kind of hungry.” She picks up her bag and puts the strap across her body. “I just need to tell my brother I’m going. I’ll take an Uber or taxi home.”

“No, I’ll take you home.” My bossy tone surprises us both.

“O-Okay…I’ll be right back.” My eyes follow her movement through the crowd until she reaches Carter and Eli. Eli is staring daggers at me, but I don’t give a fuck. Chloe stops next to her friend and kisses his cheek. Although I know Eli is gay, I still don’t like his lips on Chloe. What the fuck? I’m losing it.

She comes back to me, and the girl who was just smiling at her brother and friend is gone—now she seems tense…worried.

I grab her hand in mine and lead her out of the lounge. There’s another band playing so it’s loud as hell as I lead her through the hall. I’ve had a few beers, but I’ve sipped the last few, drinking water as well. I’ll be good to drive after we eat.

Outside, she tries to pull her hand from mine, but I hold firm. We walk silently down the street together until we reach a little bar and grille. It’s surprisingly quiet in there, and we grab a table in the corner away from others.

The waitress comes by and takes our orders and then disappears. “How have you been?” She plays nervously with the necklace around her neck.

I reach across the table and pull her hand away from it. “I’ve been okay. Have you felt all right?”

She nods. “I had my follow up, and they said that when I’m ready I should have no problems conceiving children.” The waitress returns with our drinks and fried mushrooms. “Joe, what I said…God, that was so fucking mean and so wrong.” She sucks in a breath, and I hate to see her beating herself up.

I get up and slide in next to her. I hug her close as she cries into my shirt. “Shhh…No crying, okay?” She looks up at me, her blue eyes shining bright. I wipe away the tears. “I know you didn’t mean it. Yes, it hurt, and I was upset, but I forgive you…okay?”

She buries her head in my chest and nods. “Thank you for being so…so, I don’t know. Thank you for being so awesomely sweet.”

“Confession?” She nods. “I listened to your voicemails all the time. I just wanted to hear your voice. Now enough serious stuff—let’s eat.”

I choose not to move from my spot next to her. My arm finds its way around her shoulder, pulling her close into my side. I want to ask her about the support group or at least tell her what that bitch who works with her said. All of my instincts are telling me that she needs to avoid that group of women like the plague.

I don’t give a fuck that they’ve suffered too, because Chloe probably felt safe sharing her feelings there, and unbeknownst to her, they’ve betrayed that trust.

“How’s your family? I heard Violet’s having a girl.”

“Yep, everyone’s pretty stoked about it but trying hard not to get too excited in front of me.” Our daughters would’ve been close like Vi and I are. Fuck, is it ever going to stop hurting?

“Both of my dads walked around on eggshells after they told me. I just wanted to scream that I can be happy for them and sad too, you know? My God, it’s sometimes suffocating. Will I ever fully be over it? No, but don’t treat me like I’m a fragile piece of glass that could shatter at any moment.” She grabs a mushroom and pops it into her mouth. “Tell me about your job. I don’t know any cops.”

“I’ve always been on the fence about becoming one, but my sister’s husband is one, and that was what gave me the final push to do it. I’d taken criminal justice classes, which helped when I went into the academy. Whatever you believe it’s like to be an officer, it’s probably not even close. I guess it does depend on which shift you work, too. Second and third shift see more action than first.”

Our waitress brings our burgers. I hate moving my arm from around her, but I kind of need them both to eat. Conversation stalls at first while we both dig in. Chloe moans around the huge bite she just took, and I swear my dick is half hard. What is wrong with me? I should’ve jerked off earlier, and maybe now I wouldn’t have this problem.

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