Page 15 of Hits Different

He’s stood at the entrance. Even from here, I can see the ripple of tension across his shoulders. Like he’s waiting to be caught someplace he shouldn’t be. He neatly steps aside to let an elderly couple pass. I’m three floors up, but I can see him perfectly. Which means if he looks up, he’ll see me.

Like he’s read my mind, that’s exactly what he does.

Our eyes lock, and I instinctively reach for him, my fingertips gently connecting with the glass. He stares at me, expressionless. Neither of us move.

A loud, boisterous cheer jolts me back to reality. My entire team, led by Freddie and flanked by an amused Dr Abiola, charge in, whooping and cheering. They circle me, obscuring Parker from view, as I’m yanked from the window.

“Visiting hours are over”, Dr Abiola calls, over the hubbub. I extract myself from the huddle just in time to see Parker striding away. My heart sinks. “And Brandon? Don’t celebrate too hard”.

I nod, forcing myself to smile. Freddie’s right. I need to see Parker again. Properly. Check that everything is good in his world and show him that everything’s just great in mine.

And if he tells me to go to hell, then that’s that. At least then I’ll know for sure. I can live with that.

It can’t hurt more than it already does.

Chapter 6

Strangers Again

Parker

“Earth to Parker!”

Tiffany’s voice snaps me out of my daydream. It’s barely 10pm, but Rosebud is completely slammed. I finish pouring shots of tequila for the girls in the VIP section, check nobody’s watching, and knock one back myself.

“Don’t let the boss catch you drinking on the clock”, Tiffany shimmies by, her hips grazing my ass. “What’s with you tonight? One of the customers giving you a hard time?”

That’s one way of putting it.

I’ve been on edge ever since Brandon’s teammates walked in. They quickly took over three booths on the terrace. Drinking. Laughing. I had no idea they’d booked this place tonight, but I should have guessed. Rosebud is where you come to celebrate.

I’ve gotta get it together. Brandon’s not even here. He’s probably still in the hospital or on the first flight home. Still, his teammates showing up feels like some kind of sign. Before my dad died, he told me he’d leave little signs for me.

Maybe this is one of them.

I should have gone inside when I went to the hospital. I could have said hi. How badly could it have gone? We’d have shaken hands. Shot the breeze. He’d have gone his way, I’d go mine, and that’d be the end of it.

Now it’s all messy and unfinished. Messier. Unfinished-er.

I shouldn’t even be working tonight. I should be focusing on my appeal, finding a new gym, and looking for a room to rent off-campus. Not working a late shift, partying with people who don’t have my back, and obsessing over Brandon’s silhouette at the window.

I finish wiping down the side. “Rough day”.

“I’m not riding you”, Tiffany says, deftly slicing a lemon into neat wedges. Her eyes linger suggestively across my chest. “Unfortunately”.

Tiffany is hot. Dirty hot. Definitely my type. Nice little tattoo that starts on her hip and reappears at her ankle.

She’s offered to show me on more than one occasion. “Help me take this beer tower to the guests of honour, then the boss says you can punch out”.

“Really?” I glance upwards to where Vanessa’s office overlooks the bar.

“Something about expecting some buddies of yours in tonight”, Tiffany slides me the tray. “Don’t knock it. She’s got me on doubles all week”.

Vanessa has reserved two tables for my fraternity brothers, although they haven’t shown up yet. Hopefully they don’t. Even though Darwin won’t be coming, the thought of socialising with them makes my chest tighten.

Tiffany starts loading me up with the beer tower. It’s a Rosebud speciality. Ten beers on a tray, with another tray of ten on top, then another ten on top of that. I set off with my careful setting dialled up to the max. Spilling thirty beers would be bad. Expensive bad. I’m the only staff member with a clean sheet.

Tiffany clears a path, holding the terrace door open for me. I nod to the single drink she’s carrying. “Don’t strain yourself”.

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