Page 48 of Surviving the Break
“I’m with these people eight, sometimes twelve hours a day. There’s nothing new to chat about. I’d rather be here with you.”
“Well, when you put it that way…” We picked up our drinks and toasted.
“The whole gang is going to my mother's house for Christmas dinner tomorrow. It’s also Damon’s birthday. I’d like it if you came.” He watched me closely. “Pete’s dropping by after spending time with his family. Sam too. Trish is coming as well.”
I laughed, my drink nearly going down the wrong way. “You don’t have to sell me on it. I’ll be there.” Another holiday spent away from my parents. I needed to rectify that soon. I still wasn’t looking forward to what that meant. I slipped a hand behind his neck and pulled him in for a kiss.
Ash looked at his watch. “I’m not bringing in Christmas here. I want you to myself.”
“How much more time do we have?”
“Several more hours, but we’re not staying that long.”
“Someone’s on the verge of imploding.” I raised my drink to cover my smirk.
“I wouldn’t laugh if I were you. You’ll be the one on the receiving end tonight.”
“Is that supposed to scare me?” I wiggled my brows. “You look sinful in that tux, by the way. I’m going to hate seeing it come off—”
“Ash?” someone called from behind me. “When did you get here?”
I turned in the direction of the speaker. A petite, curvy woman passed me, squeezing into the space between Ash and me. Her back was to me, but over her shoulder I could see her ample cleavage on display in the red, strapless, fitted dress she wore. Her words slurred, making it obvious that the drink she rested on the bar wasn’t her first.
“Shelby,” Ash said in a formal tone. Straightening in his seat. “I arrived not too long ago.”
“Why haven’t you returned my calls?” She ran a manicured finger down the side of his face. Ash grabbed her wrist before she got to his lips.
“How many drinks have you had, Shelby?”
“Not enough to make me forget how we tore up my sheets,” she purred.
Ash caught her other hand before it gripped the front of his pants. I sat there dumbstruck, my drink splashed over my trembling fingers.
“You sure know how to eat some pus—”
“That’s enough, Shelby!” Ash snapped, peering around and smiling stiffly at the onlookers. “This is myboyfriend,Max.”
“What? Who?” She turned, noticing me for the first time. At least she had the decency to look mortified. “Ah, I’m sorry. I didn’t see you there.” She gave a nervous chuckle. “I might have had too much to drink. Excuse me.”
She scurried away, and Ash and I observed each other. He apologized for her. He called what happened an unfortunate thing. Ash had no idea I sat dying from the fear that threatened to surface and destroy us. I stood sharply, spilling my drink all over the bar in the process, and fumbled out an apology. Ash stayed back to help the bartender with my mess, while I escaped to the restroom.
I locked myself into the one-stall room and leaned against the door, bent over, hands on my knees.This is not happening to me, again.
I unfolded and circled in place, running my hands through my hair. “Fuck!” I pulled at my bow tie, suddenly feeling too restricted. Unbuttoning the top of my shirt, I walked over and gripped the edge of the sink, dropping my head forward between my shoulders. This was my junior year prom all over again. I shouldn't have allowed this thing between us to get this far. “I am not going through this, again,” I told myself.
Someone knocked on the door. “Max? Are you okay?”
I anxiously looked around, searching for a way out. A window, a vent to crawl through.Anything. But four walls mocked me. I took a deep breath. “Yeah. I’ll be out in a minute.” I waited to hear his footsteps recede.
I studied myself in the mirror. Ash often joked about how young I looked, but I’d aged a whole decade in a matter of minutes. I washed my hands and exited.
The site at the bar stopped me in my tracks. Ash and Shelby were huddled together in deep conversation. My stomach turned over when he squeezed her bare shoulder before she strolled away.
His head rolled my way, and he smiled, but it died on his lips as he took in my expression. He cocked his head, his gaze asking,what’s wrong?
I had to get away from him. I nearly collided into someone while trying to rush out the door.
The cold air hit me, and I looked both ways before taking off in the direction of Main Street to hail a taxi.
