Page 84 of My Undead Heart

Genuine worry and concern, along with my now pounding headache, consume my thoughts. I cannot believe she would just leave. Not safe, and not cool. Our fun time from before is totally soured by her disappearing act, and all I want right now is to go home. After checking every single booth, table, and another trip by the restrooms, I give up. She’s not here. I turn toward the front exit of Zig’s and that’s when it occurs to me Rae was holding both my jacket and wallet. I have no way to get home. Seriously, this day sucks!

I’m almost through the bar when someone reaches out to grab my hand. Without thought I jerk out of his reach, lift my gaze, and open my mouth to shout. Matt’s hard gaze catches the words in my throat.

“I’ve been looking for you!” he shouts above the band.

My brows scrunch and I open my mouth to ask why when he slides his hand around my waist and drags us to the front doors.

“Time to go home,” he announces.

I stop and pull away. “Hey! What’s this alpha shit about? How do you know I’m ready to leave?” I am, but he doesn’t know that.

His scowl only pulls harder with his glare. “Your friend stopped by on her way out. Left your coat and wallet. Said it was up to me to see you home. Look, I don’t know what kind of game this is, but I need to get back to work. I don’t have time to be chasing you around.”

Fucking Rae. My face twists with my own glare. “I didn’t ask you to. Where’s my stuff? I’m leaving.”

He shakes his head and mutters something but starts walking to the doors. I follow behind until he stops at the girl working the cover and some other guy in a Zig’s shirt next to her. Matt grabs my jacket and practically throws it at me. “Put this on.”

“I was going to anyway,” I grumble because I don’t like him telling me what to do. I’m not some child and I hate being cold. I was gonna wear my jacket outside.Dumbass. “Come on.” He holds my wallet hostage and walks out the door.

I have to take twice as many steps to catch up with him. “Matt, I need my wallet!”

He stops at the curb where there’s a guy waiting inside a white Prius. He opens the back passenger door. “You Aaron?” Next, Matt looks at me. “Get in the car, Mia.”

That right there is what does it. “Are you fucking kidding me? Get in the car? What is going on right now, because last I checked you are not my keeper.”

“Look, I just want you to get home safely. I called an Uber. Just get in and go home to sober up,” he says and at my scowl he adds, “Please.”

“I can call my own damn Uber, thank you very much!” I pluck my wallet from his hand and step so I stand between the open door. I swipe my phone to the app and dip my head inside the car. “Hey, Aaron, can you do me a favor and cancel the ride? I’ll request the same one at the same time.”

“What the hell, Mia?” Matt practically growls from behind but I don’t look back.

Aaron shakes his head and gives me a polite smile. “Sorry, ma’am. I can’t do that. The rider can request a cancel, though.”

I glance back at Matt, and his scowl is stone cold. It’s as if this horrible expression has been permanently carved on his face. “Just take the ride, Mia. You’re wasting everyone’s time, including mine.”

I consider being difficult but it’s the continuous glare of judgment on Matt’s face that moves me to take a seat. “Whatever.” I slam the door before he can say another word.I can’t believe him!The nerve to think I arranged some stupid plan with Rae just to catch his attention. Fuck that! And I’m so damn pissed at Rae. She’s gonna get a damn earful. Whether her move was intentional or not, you don’t ditch a friend while she’s in the ladies’ room to go home with some stranger.

Anger and frustration boil along with the ache in my temple, and when Aaron pulls up in front of my building I’m just glad to be home. I open the car door. “Thanks for the ride.”

“No problem. Uber will send the receipt to your inbox. I’d appreciate a review if you don’t mind.”

“Wait.” I stop from getting out of the car. He’s paying for this. Oh, hell no. “Aaron, how much was the ride?”

“It’s $32.50. You’ll find the receipt in your app or email.”

“No, I won’t. And do you know why that is?” I don’t wait for him to answer. “Because some controlling asshole thinks I can’t call my own ride. How much cash will you take right now to refund the trip charges.”

Aaron glances down at his phone screen before meeting my stare. “I’m sorry, ma’am. That’s not how Uber works.”

“I know how fucking Uber works. How much?” I snap and even though I know I’m acting like a total bitch, I can’t seem to stop myself.

“I’m sorry, I can’t accept cash. It’s against the policy and code of conduct I adhere to.”

God, Aaron, why you gotta be a rule follower? I laugh and shake my head to lighten the mood. “You’re an Uber driver, not a fucking judge upholding the law.”

His lips press together and this time Aaron isn’t polite with his tone. “Ma’am, I’d like for you to please exit my vehicle. Now.”

Climbing out of the car, I stoop down to look at my driver one last time. “You know what, Aaron? Fuck you!” With that I stomp the rest of the way inside the building and up to my apartment. I turn off my phone because I’m absolutely furious and there’s no way I want to hear from either MattorRae. This entire night was a complete mess. I pop two Advil and down a bottle of water before passing out on top of my neatly made bed.

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