Page 31 of Tore Up

I looked down at my bowl. Carina had never told me I snored. My face felt hot.

“Did I mention he was an asshole?” Than whispered, although Bane could hear him.

He was more than that. He was also dangerous and frightening, and unfortunately, the dark, broody thing was sexy. At least on him. Not that it mattered because I wasn’tentertaining any thoughts about that man. Our dislike for each other was mutual. But it was just embarrassing, having someone who looked like him, with a life like this, make fun of me among his elite peers.

Bane slid his omelet onto a plate, then took his mug and walked out of the kitchen without a word.

Once he was gone, Than turned to me. “Listen, I’m sorry about last night. I said too much, and I know you weren’t ready to hear all that.”

I had needed to hear it. “No need to apologize. I was tired last night. A lot had happened.”

He didn’t say anything for a few minutes, and I ate while he drank his coffee in silence.

“Can I ask you how you met Crosby?” he asked me hesitantly.

Talking about it was not something I wanted to do, but it seemed Than needed it. He wanted to talk about Crosby. Last night, it had been obvious he wanted to remind everyone about Crosby’s wishes. This was his way of grieving. Holding on to his life. What he’d left behind.

“I, uh, was at work. I used to work for a food truck. We’d usually be at the rodeos and several events at the fairgrounds.”

“Urban Bistro,” Than said with a small smile.

I nodded. “Yeah. You know it?”

“Best burger in Jackson,” he replied.

“Agreed.” I licked my lips, then continued, “Anyway, I was selling burgers in the stands, and Crosby stepped in front of me.” I paused, remembering the way he’d looked at me. I’d had a flutter in my stomach, but then he was beautiful. He had probably caused flutters all over the rodeo. “His hair was pulled back into a ponytail. He had on a black T-shirt, and his jeans had dirt on them. He looked like he’d just been thrown from one of the horses. But he smiled at me and asked if my eyes were real or if he was hallucinating.” The corner of my lips twitched atthe memory. “I thought it was a cheesy pickup line, but he had actually just been thrown from a bull. I wasn’t working over by the bull riding arena, so I had missed it.”

“That was the night he got on Red Flag like a dumbass because Gathe had told him he was too much of a pussy to ride that bull,” Than said. “He went to get a burger, and he didn’t come back for-fucking-ever. We thought he’d passed out from a concussion.”

I bit my bottom lip and looked down at my hands. “He stood over to the side of the stands, where I was selling burgers, and when I ran out, he fell into step beside me on my way back to the truck to get more. He introduced himself. Asked me my name. He was charming, and I wanted to be able to stand there and talk to him all night, but I had to work. He watched me while I sold the next set of burgers, and I was so nervous. My face stayed warm the entire time, and I ended up dropping two burgers, which I never did. I was going to have to pay for those, but he took the burgers and gave me way too much for them. Then, he asked for my number, and I said I didn’t have a phone. But then someone—”

“Called his name and he said his goodbyes and left,” Than finished for me.

I frowned. “Yes.”

“That was me. I only saw the back of your head. I knew he was talking to a girl, and Saylor was on her way behind me with Gathe. I was saving him from getting her all pissy.”

The reminder that I was the girl he’d cheated with wasn’t pleasant. Thinking about the night we’d met had almost made me forget for a moment how it had never been real.

“He came back then? To see you?” Than asked.

“Yeah,” I replied, not looking back up at him. “The very next night. He watched me for over an hour. Bought a burger and fries from me too. When I got off work, he met me on the way to the parking lot. I was going to wait on my brother to comeget me.” I paused, wishing I hadn’t mentioned Ares. I swallowed hard as my stomach felt sick. “He offered me a ride. Convinced me he wasn’t a psycho. He took me to an open field, and we talked. He kissed me. Then, he gave me his number and asked if there was anyone’s phone I could use to call him. I took it and said I could borrow my sister’s phone.”

Than rested his elbows on the counter as he stared at the cup of coffee he had cupped between both hands. “Did he tell you he loved you?”

I hesitated.

“Yes.” My response was a whisper.

Than turned his head, his eyes not on the verge of tears, but there was a glassiness to them. “He never told Saylor that. It was an ongoing thing she’d bitch about. She’d tell him she loved him, and he’d say, ‘You too,’ or, ‘Same, babe,’ but that was it.”

I’d never told him I loved him back.

“I didn’t know about her. I promise,” I told him. I didn’t want them to all think I was the kind of person who would sleep with an engaged man or even just a taken one.

“I believe you. And not just because you almost passed out, then vomited when you found out about Saylor. But because I knew Crosby better than anyone. For him to love you, you had to be special. Different. Not like what he was used to. And he was faced with females daily who would have fu—” He stopped, then winced. “Uh, well, they wouldn’t have given a shit about Saylor.”

At least one of them believed me.

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