Page 63 of Derek
“Quench? The bar?”
“Yeah, what’s the problem? It’s not like it’s some hole-in-the-wall biker bar. Hell, I think an old influencer friend of Janie’s owns it.”
“No. You shouldn’t go to a bar alone. That is extremely unsafe.” He states as if this is a closed subject.
“Um. I’m not going alone. I’m going with Liam.” Derek snorts and rolls his eyes.
“Right, because ‘Liam’ is supposed to make me feel better about you being out there in a bar, dressed like that?” I flinch at his bitter words.
“Like what?” I ask, my voice suddenly small.
“You know, like what.” It’s almost a sneer in his tone. “You’re dressed like–”
“I’m going to stop you right there,” I say with a shaky breath. “Because if you finish that sentence and useanykind of wording to insinuate that what I’m wearing is asking foranything. I’m not joking when I say I’ll never speak to you again.” I scowl up at him, my anger and hurt evident on my face. His shoulders fall as he rubs the back of his neck.
“Please don’t say that,” he whispers softly, and I hear the regret in his voice. “And stop scowling. It doesn’t belong on your sweet face.”
“Then stop putting it there.” I grind out, refusing to allow him to get off that easy. “I love the jealous alpha-guy thing as much as the next girl. But you don’t shame a woman for her clothing, Rowe. Especially when it’s because you are the one with the esteem issue. Don’t try to tear me down when you know how hard it is for me to feel even a little bit confident in myself.”
“Indy,” he grunts uncomfortably, and my phone alerts me that my ride is here.
“I’ll talk to you later, Derek,” I state coldly as I walk away, not bothering to give him a second glance, mainly because I’m hurt and embarrassed. The entire time I let the girls get me ready, in the back of my mind, all I wanted was for him to look at me and think I looked pretty.
Blinking away my tears, I text Liam to let him know I’m on the way.
* * *
I want to go home.
Liam is late. Hell, I was late.Ihad gotten into the Uber only to realize I left my ID back at the house, and there was no way I would get past Quench’s bouncer without it. I texted Liam to tell him I would be running about thirty to forty minutes late. I received no response, and I’ve been sitting here in the bar, alone for twenty minutes, still no texts from him. Things are starting to get uncomfortable. Three different men have hit on me, and I’m getting pity looks from the bartender as I stare down at my cheese sticks. I can’t believe he ghosted me. It’s not like I won’t see him at the hospital.
God, this is so awkward.
“Hey.” I jump when I hear Derek’s voice and furrow my brows.
“What are you doing here?” I groan, embarrassed that he is seeing me being stood up. Derek stuffs his hands in his jeans pockets. He looks almost shy.
“Well, I wanted to make sure your date went alright.” I roll my eyes.
“It wasn’t a date, and it’s not happening.” I go to bite into my cheese stick when it dawns on me as to why there is no Liam at my table. “Oh Derek,” I groan while shaking my head. “You didn’t.”
Derek shrugs his shoulders, “Listen, I had every intention of letting this date happen.” I give him a skeptical look. “I was at least going to let the dinner happen, but when I got here, you weren’t here yet, but Dr. Douche was. And he was flirting with the bartender and the waitress. He told the waitress if things didn’t work with you, he would call her. How am I supposed to just let him sit with you when he doesn’t deserve to lick the ground you walk on?”
I give him a hard stare before pushing on the stool across from me. When he raises his brow, I shrug. “I’m not paying for this meal. A man is buying me dinner, and apparently, you scared the other one off. Oh god, you didn’t hit him, did you?”
“No,” he states quickly. “Wanted to, still do. But I refrained.” I watch him let out a small wince. “He did mention something about complaining to the administration about you living with a dangerous man.” I wave it off.
“I’m friends with one of the higher-ups, it’s fine.” I watch Derek sort of relax, and I do mean sort of. He jumps when the waitress comes around, and he keeps wiping his palms on his jeans.
“Alright Rowe,” I smirk while sipping my drink. “You ran my date off, so show me what you got.”
His cheeks redden as he looks at me with round eyes. “You said you weren’t going on a date with him.” Shrugging, I lean back in the chair.
“Eh, I change it depending on my needs.”
“Evidently,” he mutters before thanking the waitress for the bottle of beer. I watch Derek, he looks ready to bolt. His eyes are everywhere, his knee is bobbing, and he cringes at the loud noises. Sighing, I stand up and tilt my head towards the door.
“Come on, let’s go.” His brows crease.
