Page 65 of It's Always Us

SHANE: Bro? Seriously, something, or I’m coming over and find out what the hell is going on.

SHANE: Mark, if you’re having one of your diva meltdowns, just tell us.

SEAN: We’ll give you 24 more hours to sulk, and then I’m dragging your ass out of that house.

SEAN: Unless you want to tell us something about why Alex showed up at your house.

SHANE: 19 more hours, asshole.

SEAN: 18 and a half.

ME: Listen, dickheads, I’m good. Keep your panties on. I need a few days.

ME: I love you.

SHANE: What have you done?

______

I tug my hat lower and slide my fingers through hers.

I really hope I don’t regret this.

We step into a small brewery with an industrial vibe and lead her to an open table in the back corner. I pull out a metal stool for Lex, then move the other closer to her, keeping my back to the room.

The place isn’t crowded, but most of the tables and seats at the bar are occupied. A game plays on the large mounted screens, but the only thing I’m interested in is sitting across from me.

I watch Lex’s fingers move to her silver stud and twist, round and round. Twist. Rest. Twist. Rest. Twist. Her blonde hair falls in waves over her gray T-shirt as she surveys the small space.

“What’s wrong?” Her blue eyes meet mine, but she’s somewhere far away. She doesn’t say anything, but her chest rises with a deep breath. “Whatever it is, tell me.”

She glances around the space again before her eyes dart back to mine. “I don’t know if I’m ready for this.”

My heart stutters, but I will it to stay calm. “Ready for what?”

“I don’t know how to do this.”

“Do what?”

Both slender shoulders rise and fall. “Be normal with you . . . like this. What if someone recognizes you?”

I lean back in my seat as relief kicks my heart back into rhythm. I turn, glancing around the room and the bar area where everyone is minding their own business.

I didn’t think about how intimidating this might be to her and how dealing with my lifestyle will take some getting used to.

“Do you want to go?”

She stares at me, pulling her bottom lip between her teeth, and then shakes her head.

I lean closer to her, tipping her chin toward me. “It’s just you and me. My life is big sometimes, but not tonight.” I grab menus from the napkin holder, handing her one.

She ignores the menu; her body is still rigid and tense. I grab her hand underneath the table. “Lex, if anyone recognizes me, I’ll deal with it.”

She nods, searching the room again like she’s waiting for someone to pop out, then focuses on her lap. I watch her, wondering what’s going on.

“So, you don’t care if people see us together?”

“The season is over. When we’re ready, we’ll let the whole world know. It will change things, and I want to be sure you’re comfortable with that. It’s too late to change my profession, and unfortunately, that involves people being all up in my business.”

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