Page 82 of Secret Baby Daddies
I finally ran my hands over my face and left the bathroom without saying a word. I needed something to drink. Desperately. The bar was stocked, thank god, and I didn’t bother with ice or a glass while going for my favorite bourbon.
I could still hear the gentle splashing of water and I could see the image of her beautiful body slick with soap and water like I was still in the bathroom. I needed some air. I needed…I didn’t fucking know what I needed. I just knew I couldn’t stay in the apartment and pretend like I wasn’t still twisted up in knots over her.
Harley had Jace and Luc. She was safe and being cared for. She didn’t need me. She wouldn’t miss me if I slipped away for a while and tried to get my head on straight.
I let myself out quietly and made my way downstairs feeling every bit my age. Three weeks without Harley and I’d aged two decades. My body ached with each step. There was a throbbing behind my right eye and it worsened as the music grew louder from the club. The worsening pain and heady beat of the music filled my brain with a static noise that dimmed everything else, thankfully.
By the time I was at the bar I’d watched the expression on my face scare multiple people off. Good. Maybe that was why Luc and Jace kept such nasty scowls on their faces all the time. Crowds parted for assholes. No one wanted to stop me and chat when I looked ready to explode. I liked it. I had the same darkness inside as Luc and Jace but I’d worked hard to keep it down, hidden so it didn’t touch anyone around me. I didn’t want to do that anymore. I’d sat back like a good boy after Harley left. I played peace keeper between Luc and Jace. I’d remained calm and stopped our fucked up little family from imploding.
They were fine with Harley back. I didn’t have to struggle so goddamn hard to keep them from ripping each other’s heads off. Maybe it was my time to implode. She’d walked away from us like we didn’t matter. She’d walked away fromme. She’d clung to Luc. She’d reached out for Jace. She probably hadn’t even noticed I was gone.
I took a deep breath and motioned for a drink. It was Hunter who came over with my usual, her eyebrows twisted with worry. I growled as I took the glass and tossed it back.
“Don’t look at me like that, Hunter.”
She leaned against the bar in front of me and frowned.
“Why are you down here?”
“Why are you questioning me?”
“Heard you sold your shares to Dom. That means I can speak my mind now and you can’t fire me.” She flashed a smile. “Plus, you’re with my best friend and she cares about you. That means I care about you, too. As strange as that is.”
I let out a bitter laugh.
“Don’t think you need to worry about that. Caring about me, I mean.”
She whistled.
“I’ve never pictured you as the pouting type, Maddox Silver. But here you are, feeling sorry for yourself. Why? She came back for you. In a very undignified way, too, if you ask me. Did she smell like a wild animal to you?”
I considered ignoring her until she went away but at my core I just wasn’t as big of an asshole as my brothers. Still, I scowled at her.
“I’m not fucking pouting.”
“Bullshit.” She waved another bartender away when they tried to ask her something. “I assumed y’all squirrelled her up to your apartment. Why are you the only one down here?”
“Because I left. Okay? Because she has my brothers right now and she doesn’t need me, too.” I scrubbed my hands down my face. “Can I get a refill or do I need to spill my guts before you’ll do your job?”
Her eyebrows shot up and she leaned closer.
“I’m not going to get your drunk and send you off to Harley in a drunken, angry stupor.”
“I’m not going back up there.” I was being petulant and it would’ve been embarrassing any other time but I couldn’t find it in me to care right then. “So? My drink?”
She leaned back and her smile was cruel.
“Maddox Silver is cut off for the night.”
The other bartenders looked horrified. It was almost enough to make me laugh. If I hadn’t needed a stiff drink so desperatelyI would’ve. I would’ve even appreciated her guts to cut me off. Instead, I was pissed enough to stand up, lean over the bar, and grab the bottle she hadn’t put back yet.
“I’ll cut myself off when I’m good and goddamned ready.”
CHAPTER 56
Harley
My head shot up at the sound of the apartment door closing. Tears filled my eyes and my stomach sank. Maddox left. I’d wanted to cry when he left the bathroom but hearing him leave the apartment did it. I couldn’t keep myself together knowing he was angry or hurt enough to just walk away.
