Page 18 of The Bitterness of Venom

She nods. "I get that. But it still looks like you need a friend, and I am offended you never texted me like you saidyou would when I gave you a ride home." She takes a sip of her coffee, hurt flashing in her eyes as she looks away.

Dammit. My heart strings tug and I sigh. I hate emotions, they're needy but, unfortunately, I still have them. "I'm sure you can find better people to hang out with than me. I'm highly unpleasant."

"True." I narrow my eyes at her and she smiles. "But no one wants to be my friend since I locked down one of the hockey players."

"Well, that's stupid."

She sighs. "It is, but that doesn’t make it untrue."

I tap my fingers on the table, contemplating if I have time for a friend. "Fine. But I'm hella busy, so I can't do the whole best friends thing, just acquaintances."

She laughs. "I can live with that, for now." She takes a sip, humming. "What are you doing now?"

"Getting ready to go to work."

"Maybe I'll come keep you company?"

I don't want to tell her that I would like that, so I shrug instead.

I didn't expectDestiny to actually show up.

But here she is, sitting next to my two old regulars, making them laugh and adore her. I have a feeling she's good at this, making people like her, that is. I've never had that ability. I'm too cold, too mean. But the last thing I need is for anyone to think I'm weak. Because deep inside, way the fuck in there, I do care about people. And that's something I can't afford to do. My life is… dangerous. I have a debt to pay off, a past to escape. I don't have time to care for people. The last time I cared for someone, they died.

I shake the thoughts, wiping down the bar as I look out at the patrons. It's actually busy tonight. My tip jar is full, and I would smile if I didn't get the text I did earlier.

Clint: I need you tonight.

Blaise: I have to work.

Clint: I'll be waiting when you get off.

He's like a storm cloud, dampening everything around him, turning everything dark and cold. I hate the way his name on my phone makes me shiver with fear. And it should. He's who I owe my debt to. The one where I have to do acts I would never partake in, in order to pay it off. But as soon as he's paid off, I’ll be free. Or that's what I tell myself, anyway. I'm not sure he'll ever let me go. It's wishful thinking, though.

I have to get Destiny out of here before my shift ends.

It's as if the universe is on my side as the hockey team comes in, crowding the bar. Paul, Destiny's boyfriend, wraps his arms around her waist as he lifts her up, placing a kiss to her cheek. I smile sadly. I don't believe in love, but it doesn't stop me from wanting it for myself. Though I would need something darker, rougher.

Like Desmond.

No, not like Desmond.

Speaking of the devil, he sits in front of me, eyes burning a hole into the side of my face as I pop caps off beers and hand them to my regulars. "What can I get you?" I don't look at him.

"Water."

My brow furrows. "You don't want a beer or something?"

"I don't drink during or this close to the season." He assesses me with dark eyes, his tongue coming out to lick his bottom lip.

I get him water, placing it in front of him and moving down the line, my hand cramping from all the beer caps I’ve had to pop. Did the entire hockey team come? I don't know shit about hockey. I have no clue how many are on the teamor even the purpose of it. By the time I make it back to Desmond, there is a girl in his lap, pawing as his chest and swinging her dark hair over her shoulder, eyes batting at him. Something like fire licks my stomach. Is that jealousy? Surely not. It's probably indigestion or something, because I know I'm not jealous of the same guy who threw me on the cafeteria floor.

You sick bitch.

I heave a sigh, checking on Destiny. "Anything else I can get you?" She peers up from her boyfriend and smiles. "No, I think I'm going to head out."

Thank fuck.

"Well, thanks for, uh… hanging out with me."

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