Page 68 of Fight For Us
“Right…” I said.
“Can I get you guys a drink?” Shawn asked. “Anyone else need a refill?”
“I do,” Mia sang. Shawn shook his head and took her glass.
“I’ll just have some water,” I said.
Wes met my gaze. “You don’t want a drink? Don’t worry about driving, I’ll stay sober.”
“I’m good. Not really in the mood,” I said.
Shawn led Wes over to the bar and I overheard him saying, “Glad I brought an extra set of clothes for Mia. Looks like she’ll be worshiping the porcelain god tonight.”
Kendahl and Coby showed up a few minutes later, looking more than a bit disheveled. Kendahl pulled me aside and told me they needed a quickie in the car before they came in. I glanced at Coby, who was beaming from ear to ear and chatting with a few of the guests. Seeing them so blissfully happy was great. But why did a teeny piece of my chest ache for what they had?
I sipped my water and listened in on conversations about class and inside jokes a few of them started at the wedding they went to in the fall. I laughed when everyone else did and smiled around the room, but inside a restless energy thrummed through me. I wanted to leave but it wasn’t even close to midnight. I hated that I couldn’t relax like everyone else. If anyone needed to de-stress it was me. The new year meant school starting back up for the kids and all the custody issues coming to a head. Our very own countdown of doom.
Wes was off chatting with Shawn while everyone else seemed to be in on a joke I knew nothing about. I turned to find the restroom and saw Damon coming outside with Mark and two other insanely tall and handsome guys. Those must be his partners.
Damon spotted me right away and waved. He tapped his friend’s shoulder and said something before turning back in my direction.Shit.He was heading toward me.
“Bathroom?” I blurted, louder than I meant to.
“You need the bathroom?” Mia asked. I nodded. “I’ll bring you. Be right back. Don’t finish the story until I get back,” she said to Kendahl.
She started to go toward the door, right where they were standing, and I pulled her arm. “Did I say bathroom? I meant pool.”
“What?” Mia asked, clearly confused.
“Show me the pool. It’s so nice,” I said. I glanced over my shoulder. Damon was still heading myway.
“It’s right there, sissy.” She felt my forehead. “Are you feeling alright?”
“Yup, I’m fine.” I gripped her arm so she wouldn’t leave me.
“Olivia! Hey,” Damon said, reaching our side.
Mia’s eyes met mine and widened. “Oh,” she said as I gave her arm a pull.
“Hi. This is my sister, Mia. You met the other day,” I said. “Mia, didn’t you want to talk to Damon all about his gym?”
Mia shifted on her feet as someone from the group called her name. Distracted, that little traitor pulled herself from my grip and bounced away. “Be right back, sis!”
I let out an awkward laugh.
“I’m trying to be smooth here, but it’s hard around a woman like you.” He rubbed the back of his neck. “Olivia, you look gorgeous tonight.”
My face flushed and I looked at my feet. “Thank you.”
“I don’t want to come across as too forward, but I’d like to get to know you better. Can I get you a drink? Let’s go somewhere to talk.”
Let’s go somewhere to talk.My chest tightened as his words echoed in my mind. I sucked in a ragged breath and bolted toward the door.
I didn’t stop until I reached the bathroom, shutting the door and locking it behind me. I sat on the toilet seat, holding my head in my hands.
The smell of pine trees and damp earth floated through my nose. But how? I closed my eyes and counted down from five,but the words kept repeating on a loop.I really like you, Olivia. Here, you can have my beer. Let’s go somewhere to talk.
My bare legs pebbled.It was so cold in the dark woods.I rubbed some warmth into them but my palms shook.
