Page 19 of Rejected Pretend Mate

He frowned. "That's not what I'm saying, April. I'm just offering because I have connections. I can see who is looking for help, and asking around is all."

"I'm fine. Riley said she was going to help me anyway."

His shoulders sank, and he rubbed his face. "Okay, well...let me know if you need anything. I'm going to head to work."

He pulled himself off the stool and headed down the hallway. I turned around, gripping the counter tightly. Rage simmered in my belly, and I wanted to scream.

I took a deep breath in through my nose, feeling tears build up. I was angry because I wanted to help, but he wasn't going to allow it.

"Hey, do you want to join me and the guys at the bar tonight?"

I turned and leaned over, looking down towards the door. Weslie stood pulling his jacket on.

"I don't know," I said, not really in the mood. I just wanted to curl into a ball and disappear at this point.

"Come on, we do have to get out and look like the newly happy couple," he said, smiling softly. "Word travels faster that way, and this problem is over sooner."

Right….because once Ivan is taken care of, we can go our separate ways, and I'm sure he wanted his bed back. The quicker word gets around, the quicker he gets rid of me.

I swallowed and nodded my head. "Sure, just text me where and when."

Chapter 8 - Weslie

"Do we want to share cars?" Ayden asked as he followed us down the stairs.

Cayden and I both looked at him, a little shocked. "You're going out with us?"

Ayden nodded. "Yeah, you think I'm missing out on a night of beer and pool? Think again."

"Aren't you on baby duty?" Cayden asked, a smirk pulled at his lips. "Isn't your wife gonna be a little pissed you're going out drinking."

Ayden glared at Cayden. "My wife and I have an understanding. How about your wife, Cayden? Does she know you are going out to a bar?"

He laughed. "Yeah, my wife knows where I'm going to be."

As we headed for the truck, I noticed Miles and Lucas playing rock, paper, scissors.

"What's up with that?" I asked.

Ayde snorted. "Well, I told them that only one of them could be drinking. A few of us still need to stay sober in case of an emergency. I'm guessing they couldn't decide who got to drink and who didn't."

"So, the loser has to stay sober?" I asked, watching the game go.

"That must be how they decided," Cayden chirped, pushing the button on his keys to start his truck. The noise made Miles jump, and he placed down the paper while Lucas put down the scissors.

"Ha!" Lucas laughed, "Sorry, you're staying sober. Loser."

"That's not fair!" Miles turned, pointing at Cayden. "You couldn't have waited five seconds to let me win? You made me lose my concentration. God damn, Cayden!"

Ayden patted him on the back. "It's rock, paper, scissors. You don't need that much concentration."

Miles grumbled, sighing heavily. "It isn't every day that Cayden is celebrating a marriage. Come on, let me join in on the fun."

"Nope," Ayden shook his head. "One person has to stay sober, and you drew the unlucky straw."

We all headed into the two vehicles that were driving and headed to the local bar, Lucky Lue. As soon as we arrived, the space was packed with people already enjoying the end of their day. There was music playing loudly but not shaking the space.

The owner, Chad, waved at us from the bar. He was a middle-aged man who gave discounts to people who worked certain jobs. "Hey, you guys! It's great to see you all."

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