Page 54 of Hot Mess Express
“At the church? When I was totally fuckin’ out of it?” I blurt out suddenly, probably to push away those random-ass visions yet again. “Shit, how can … how can I be held responsible for what I might’ve done or said when I’m—That ain’t fair. Besides, even if Ididsay it … it’s stating a fact. Simple. Youarea good-lookin’ guy. Like callin’ the sky blue. Big deal. Who gives a fuck?”
“I gave a fuck.”
I shake my head and turn to cross the road again—then freeze to belatedly check for traffic, nearly having forgotten to learn my damned lesson. “Fine,” I throw over my shoulder, “so you like to be flattered. What a surprise, with a head as big as yours.”
“You think my head’s big?” He comes to my side. “Should look both ways before you cross the street, y’know.”
“Thanks, Daddy.”
“You find any other guys’ faces pretty? Or just mine?”
“Fuck off.”
I head across the street and continue my way down Apricot. When I peer to the side to check if he’s following me, I realize with a start that the guy’s walking right next to me. We might as well be on a cute nighttime stroll, the two of us, walking off our Italian meals and enjoying the fresh air. Trey would be beaming now.
Forgive me if I can’t seem to enjoy this guy’s company.
I can’t stand the silence. “Why’d you lie for me?”
“Hmm? What do you mean?”
“You told them you actually ordered a well-done steak.”
He shrugs. “Guess I forgot how I ordered my steak.”
“Bullshit. You lied for me.”
“Did I?”
“And you said I grabbed that habanero sauce by mistake. You know damned well I did that on purpose.”
“So you wanted to broaden my taste buds,” he suggests. “That a crime?”
I stop and turn on him again. “Is this some kinda trick?” It’s in front of Patsy’s Pastries & Pies I’ve got him, and when I advance on him, he backs up. “This your way of gettin’ back at me? Chasin’ me out of Trey’s, puppy-doggin’ me around town acting all nice to me suddenly? Is that it?” I poke my finger into his chest. He keeps backing away—and it’s frustrating beyondwords how unaffected he looks by my temper, even the manner in which he’s backing away, with a stoic expression, totally calm, unafraid, as if his act of backing away is done inpoliteness, giving me room to have it out. “What’s next in your scheme, huh? Once you got me lulled into a false sense of security? Is that when you strike? Get your big revenge?” I jab my finger into his chest again. I would swear that Bridger’s holding back laughter if his face wasn’t so damned blank. “You’re not gonna get one over on me.”
His back is against the banister of the outdoor seating area of Patsy’s, a step away from casually leaning against it, elbows up on the smooth wooden railing behind him.
He looks so fucking smug right now. So infuriatingly calm.
I don’t know how this guy can disarm me so fast by pulling me out of the street from the path of a truck, making my heart race, bringing my face in front of his, and drawing all of my breath out of my lungs like I’m staring at goddamned art in a museum—then make me mad so fast the next second.
He tilts his head, eyeing me. “What’re you doing tomorrow?”
I squint at him. That sure didn’t answer any of my questions. “Why?”
“Busy with one of your around-the-town odd jobs?”
“Why are you asking? Why would I tell you?”
“Those’re two different questions. Which one would you like me to answer?” Now it’s Bridger who’s slowly coming towards me as I back up. “Why am I asking? Well, because I’m free tomorrow and wanted to see if you’d like to hang out. Why would you tell me? Because I think some part of you deep, deep,deepdown … is curious if I’m really the asshole you thought I was.”
“Once an asshole, always an—an asshole,” I stammer.
“Is that your running theory for why everyone in town looks down on you?” he asks. “Because everyone’s got an idea about you and no one’s opinion ever changes?”
“The fuck?”
Suddenly it’s me with my back against the big Patsy’s sign by the road, the one with all the specials listed. Not that I can see any of them, because my view is nothing but Bridger in front of me—a brick wall of confidence, cocky smirk, and his assertive blue eyes.
