Page 28 of Big Trouble
Where the hell was he?
My phone chimed again.
Ciara: Um, Lo? Jack’s here?
I was fuming.
How dare he stand me up and then go to the very place he’d planned on taking me?
That guy was about to get a piece of my mind.
My response was swift and succinct.
Me: I’ll be right there.
Before I left the house, I retouched my make-up. I added more mascara to my lashes, darkened my eyeshadow and rubbed off the pale pink lipstick I’d originally chosen, replacing it with a dark red gloss. As I stared at my reflection, I pulled my hair out from its bun and shook my chestnut hair around my shoulders. Then I undid another button on my blouse and checked out how my black jeans hugged my ass. I kicked off my Converse and slid my feet into a pair of boots with killer heels.
Jack could eat his heart out when he saw me.
And then I’d drink with Ciara and my new friends, toasting to my new-found solidarity.
My nerve almost deserted me as I entered the bar.
I scanned the place and spotted him straight away. He perched on a stool at the corner of the bar, head down, studying the floor. He twisted a glass of amber liquid in circles on the bar, a single ice cube sloshing around.
He looked so sad and lonely. I would have almost felt sorry for him if he hadn’t stood me up and humiliated me in the process. My jaw tensed, legs quivering as I fixed him with a glare.
Across the other side of the bar I spotted Ciara with Maddox and Lyla. Also around the table were a guy who looked very similar to Lyla, holding hands with a gorgeous blonde, and a pregnant lady, who must have been Scarlett, I used the info Ciara had given me to fill in the blanks. Maddox inclined his chin my direction and Scarlett waved at me.
It felt like they were rooting for me.
It gave me the added strength I needed.
I stalked over to Jack, my heels tapping on the wooden floor.
“Did you forget something?” I snarled.
Jack’s head snapped up. His gorgeous blue eyes widened while his brow furrowed. He swallowed hard, biting his bottom lip. “Not that I can think of,” he whispered, before looking away.
I sneered. “Don’t you worry about it. You’re a special kind of chicken shit, Jack.” I started to walk away. “I don’t expect to see you tomorrow either. Or ever again for that matter.”
He grabbed my bicep and I whipped around to glower at him. My skin heated beneath his touch, the warmth spreading through my entire body. Much as I was angry with him, I actually liked the feel of his hand on me.
“Let go of me, Jack.” My mouth said the words, but my insides were churning. I didn’t want him to let me go.
“No.” He gripped me harder. “We should talk.”
I could sense people looking at us, even though they were trying to look as if they weren’t.
“Not here.” I didn’t want to have a public argument and I didn’t want everyone knowing our business. Cali Cross gossip spread like wildfire and I didn’t want to be the latest subject.
He caught the direction of my gaze. “Outside,” he agreed.
I yanked my arm out of his grasp and headed towards the door. We just about made it outside to the parking lot before he started on me.
“I’m not a chicken shit,” he confirmed. “I’m the Titanic and I don’t want you going down with me.” He spread his arms wide.
“Ooo, very dramatic.” I couldn’t keep the sarcasm out of my voice. “Well, I’m not Rose. I’ll find room for you on my door.”
