Page 14 of I've Got You

He looked surprised when I sat next to him, his eyes widening a little.

“So what about you? I know the basics of your story.” He stiffened, his forearm becoming taut as he gripped his glass. “Not from gossip. Well, sort of”—I hastened to add—“from Carter.”

Scott snorted, the sound surprising me. “Not sure that’s any better.”

“No?” I asked, my brows lifting as I angled to look at him. “I would have thought he was the best guy to hear anything from, since he’s Team Scott and all.”

This time abrupt laughter spilled from his mouth. He shook his head, a smile on his lips. Fascinated, I watched the movement and his mouth closely, liking the smile I’d somehow put there. I happily took credit.

“Team Scott, huh? Is that what the locals are calling it?” His gaze moved to mine. While the smile still sat on his lips, there was a shift in his eyes that looked a lot like desperation, and damn if that wasn’t a kick in the nuts.

“It’s just what I call it.” He raised his brows, apparently knowing I was full of shit. “Okay,” I admitted, “I started it to rub it in Tanner’s face. Carter caught on to it and ran with it, and we both gang up on Tanner whenever we have the opportunity. I’ll take any ammo I can to wind the bastard up.” I smirked after I told him the absolute truth.

“So what’s the opposing team?”

I clamped my mouth shut, then twisted my lips together in thought. “So, maybe I never thought it through. There’s just you.”

Scott’s lips twitched and his shoulders noticeably relaxed. “Does Tanner still want to kick my ass?”

I shrugged. “Not so much these days. I think Carter’s worn him down, or gone down on him so many times he’s managed to pretty much take control of Tanner’s thoughts and feelings when he wants to, or at least his actions.” I snickered, knowing Tanner would attempt to kick my ass for talking about how dick-whipped he was.

Scott turned in his seat to face me more fully, his expression full of curiosity. He raised his right eyebrow, something I was envious about, as I couldn’t do that to save my life. “Are you always like this?” His question was a little quieter than the rest of his conversation; it was also dipped in something akin to wonder.

“What?” I had no idea what he was talking about and wasn’t quite sure if I wanted to know. My mouth got me into trouble a fair bit, so I could never really tell how people would react.

He lifted his hand and waved it in my general direction. “Like this?”

“Gorgeous?” I hedged. “Fuckable?” I laughed hard at the look on his face and allowed my mind to consider how perfectly my dick would fit into his mouth when he opened it like that.

Scott coughed loudly, laughter breaking free as he did so. “No,” he said with a shake of his head, but I was sure he silently agreed with me. “I meant honest, talking like this.” He paused. “You were telling the truth, right?” Hesitation flashed over his features.

“Always.” I nodded. “Well, pretty much. Sometimes I have to rein myself in or be more selective about what I say, but I find it helps cut through a hell of a lot of bullshit if we speak the truth, right?”

“Right.”

I wasn’t even sure how we’d reached this point, but somehow we’d got here.

“So, who are you here with?” He eyed a few people in his periphery. “Libby, that’s your daughter’s name?”

I nodded, a rush of something I was unable to grasp sweeping over me that he remembered Libby’s name. “Yeah.”

“She’d be with who, Tanner and Carter?”

I nodded again. “I’m here with Lauren and some of her friends. Guys from y—” The moment his face blanched, I stopped talking, immediately understanding his reaction and the discomfort no doubt racing through him. That had to be awkward as hell.

He sat frozen a moment, then took a swig of his beer and placed it down, offering me a smile that was more like a grimace. He stood and pulled his wallet from his back pocket, threw some cash on the bar, and I watched as he looked over at Ted, who angled his head a little, seeming to take in what was happening. Rather than coming over, he offered Scott a head lift, his lips pulling at the corners just barely.

I was sure my expression was similar. I hadn’t even considered how Scott would react being in the same place as the people he used to work with. As far as I was aware, only Lauren knew the truth about what had happened. But communities like this, as great as they were, could also be cesspits of gossip.

My gut ached a little as I observed Scott’s abrupt movements. It was obvious he was trying not to freak, and I could tell that after just sharing two conversations with the guy. Unable to hold back, I stood too, putting some cash beside his. I knocked on the wooden bar and saluted Ted my thanks and goodbye. “Come on, let’s get out of here.”

Scott’s head whipped around, his startled eyes roaming my face. Not sure what he was looking for, all I could do was offer him honesty. “It’s too early to go home, and I can imagine the last thing you want is a shitty, uncomfortable conversation with that lot.” I flicked my head in their direction. Scott’s gaze didn’t leave mine, however. “Let’s get out of here.” I turned, not waiting to see if he followed. On the way out, I caught Lauren’s attention and signaled I was leaving. She raised her brow and threw me a wink. I knew the moment her eyes landed on Scott. A frown crossed her lips, and her gaze jerked back to mine, a question pasted all over her face. I returned her wink and tugged open the door, holding it open for Scott, and was pleasantly surprised when his hand reached out to hold the door barely a second later.

Now what the hell were we going to do?

Chapter Eight

SCOTT

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