Page 28 of See You Soon
I'm trying so hard to hide my smile. He makes me feel like I'm worthy of more. It feels weird. I haven't felt so respected by a man before. Shane was only nice to me when he wanted something from me… and then he would get abusive when I refused.
"I feel bad for your girlfriend though. You could have taken her home." I try changing the subject hoping it lightens his mood but I don't think it was the right choice of topic with the way his body stiffens.
"He's not pressing charges. You kicked his ass pretty well. I thought you were going to kill the dude. He's not allowed here again anyways." Gabriel huffs out, interrupting, giving Danny another glass of whiskey. Danny is already permanently stained with the smell of whiskey and cigarettes but that doesn't stop him. It's nearing closing time and he still keeps drinking. He takes it gliding it down his throat with ease, his Adam's apple bobbing as he swallows.
"For your hand." Gabriel throws a bag full of ice at him.
"Don't need it. I'm fine." Danny scoffs, dropping down his glass, he gulped down already. I study his right hand, his knuckles are red and swollen. My eyes widen and I can't help but let my nursing education take over.
"Just take it, it's just for the swelling. Don't be stubborn." I order grabbing the bag of ice and forcing it on his knuckles. Grabbing his hand sends a shock in between my thighs, throbbing and I have to internally yell at my body to shut up. I hold his hand for a couple of seconds, not daring to look at the sinful man next to me.
"Your hands are soft." Danny flashes me a soft smile before leaning forward into my ear and I stop breathing. "Just like your lips and I'm not talking about the ones on your face."
My eyes circling, I let go of the bag of ice and gently push him away. "Shut up, you’re drunk."
He barely moves before twirling the glass again with his fingers. Looking at how his skin crinkles around his blue eyes as he smiles. It makes me think about how many times I've been around this town, and I've never bumped into him and now I feel like he's everywhere. Maybe before, he was just another guy blending in with a crowd of strangers and I never took notice of him, and I don't know how when he's so sinfully, handsome.
The bar’s closing now and my knees start to bounce with anxiety. Emilia is my designated driver, and I'm getting impatient texts from them, and I know I have to say goodbye. I don't want to leave but I have to. Nothing is going to escalate further anyways.
"Listen... I've got to go. My friends are waiting on me. I appreciate you taking care of Shane for me... Are you going to be able to get home safely?" Danny's smile fades as he looks at me.
"Of course, Cherry. But I'm going to stay after closing time with Gabriel. I'll walk you out. I want to make sure that piece of shit isn't out there." Danny looks away from me, clenches his jaw, and then takes another swallow of whiskey and stands up.
He's so tall compared to me, then again everyone is taller than me. Generally, he is just a mass of a man with all those muscles but not too much. His muscles are proportionate and match his height perfectly.
Meredith and Emilia are already waiting in the car for me with my belongings in a black sedan. The bar is just about empty leaving Danny and I as the only customers. The employees of the bar began to clean, and they are locking everything down. The music has stopped and the only sounds I can hear are small talk and sounds of cleaning. Danny opens the door and looks around the parking lot, casually. I follow him and stay behind him as I wait for him to call me over. He nods for me to come forward, waving his hand to me.
I spot Emilia's car as soon as I exit, passing Danny. She's parked her car in front of the bar, with the trunk facing the entrance to the bar.
Danny lights up a cigarette and blows out the smoke in the other direction so it doesn't get near me.
"Thanks. I appreciate you walking me out." I wave my hand awkwardly. Danny studies me for a second then he puts his cigarette in his mouth again and takes in another hit, blowing it out.
"She's not my girlfriend."
It takes a second for me to comprehend what he means. Oh... the girl that sucked him off in the restroom,got it.
"It doesn't matter. It's none of my business." Shaking my head, I bite my lip nervously.
"I know but it's important to me that you know one thing about me. I'm not a liar, Ari. I won't hesitate to tell anyone the truth even if it's brutal, even if they don't want to hear it." He licks his lips. "I'm leaving for deployment tomorrow night. This was such a fun way to end my short vacation at home."
My eyebrows raise and my heart sinks a little. I'm leaving too anyways, and I can't help but wonder if he will be in the same place as me. I hadn't told him my big news of working for a military hospital in Iraq as a civilian. It wasn't such a casual topic of conversation.
"Where to?" I pry.
"Can't disclose that, Cherry. You know better. I'm sure Paul didn't tell you either where he was being sent." Danny smirks.
"Of course. Anyways... I guess this is goodbye?" I question, feeling heat rise to my face hoping a deep color of red doesn't reflect on my cheeks.
"No."
"What?" I ask confused. My eyebrows furrowed inward. "Why?" I continue.
"Because I know for a fact, it's not a goodbye. It's a see you soon." Danny says and he looks at me expressionless, so serious, it feels like he's staring into my soul with no emotion as usual making it hard for me to read him.
I swallow.
"See you soon then," I say walking backward towards Emilia's car with a smile.
