Page 59 of Spike's Perdition
“Look, pal, I don’t know who you are, but you have five seconds to leave before I call the cops,” Jeremy states firmly. “There’s no one named Ivory here.”
Spike points to the wall. “Then why the fuck is there a picture of her right there?”
“She… uh… that’s a friend of the owner,” Jeremy stutters.
Spike crosses his arms, making his muscles bulge. His Henley tightens around his arms. I have to give Jeremy credit, he’s not backing down. My ninja skills must not be up to par because both of their heads jerk in my direction.
“Not here, huh?” Spike says smugly.
Jeremy puffs out his chest. “You want her, you’ll have to go through me.”
I rush forward as fast as my pregnancy allows, putting myself between them. The last thing I need is Jeremy getting beat to a bloody pulp. Laying my hand on Jeremy’s chest, I gently push him back.
“I got this, Jeremy,” I say. “Why don’t you go back with Megan and Jackie?”
“I’ll stand over there.” He jerks his chin to the counter. “I won’t leave you out here alone.”
“I’m not gonna fucking hurt her,” Spike roars. “For fuck’s sake, she’s carrying m?—”
“Outside!” I scream, poking Spike in the chest. “Right now!”
I glance over my shoulder when I hear feet shuffling behind me. Megan and Jackie head toward us. but I mouth,‘I’m okay’ beforefollowing Spike out the door. Once we’re outside, I seeall of them standing by the counter to watch the soap opera unfolding.
Great. My life’s become a Jerry Springer episode. Now we just need the envelope… You are the father!
“What’re you doing here, Spike?” I question. “More importantly, how’d you find me?”
Spike glares at the window behind me. “We need to talk.”
“The time for talking was yesterday when I told you I was pregnant with your son.”
“Seriously, Ivory? You owe me this much.”
Laughter bubbles up and escapes. The tension from the past few months breaks free, and I can’t stop. I’m sure I look hysterical. And my ribs hurt from laughing so hard.
“I-I-I owe you? That’s rich.” I gasp for breath and straighten my spine as I narrow my eyes, all traces of humor gone. “I owe youfuckingnothing. Every time I try talking to you, you throw a goddamn hissy fit and disappear. Fuck you, Spike. Get the hell outta here before Jeremy calls the police, or Megan shoots your ass. At this point, I’m fine with either of those outcomes.”
I spin on my heel to head back inside when Spike grabs my bicep.
“Let. Me. Go,” I say with deadly calm and turn around slowly to face him.
He immediately drops my arm. “Please, Ivory.” Spike rubs his hand over his face. “I know I don’t deserve it. I’ve been a complete asshole, but please give me one more chance to make this right.”
I stare at him and see hurt, anger, and uncertainty flash across his face.
“Fine, but not here,” I concede. “I don’t need to put on a show for my coworkers.”
“I can meet you at you?—”
“No. Somewhere public.”
“How about Dob’s Diner in an hour?” he suggests.
“I’ll be there,” I promise. “This is the last time, Spike. I’m not doing this anymore with you. I haveourson to think about. You might not give a damn, but I sure as hell do.”
Spike rears back as if I slapped him. He doesn’t respond but jerks his chin and swings his leg over his bike. The ground rumbles under my feet as he peels out of our parking lot.
God, don’t make me regret this.
