Page 36 of Break Me
I step out of the booth and turn to face her. “You spying on me?” I’m trying to get my shit under control, but I can’t believe this girl showed up here without me knowing about it. Then again, this is the only club in Briar itself; I should have guessed she might be here. It’s Friday night.
The double dose of Xanax earlier this evening probably didn’t help either. It’s making my mind cloudy, but on the plus side, it stops me from having panic attacks. Usually.
The smirk falls from her face though and she glances down at the floor, then absentmindedly adjusts the strap on her dress. I wish she’d let it fall. Shit, I’d fuck her right here if she’d let me.
“No,” she says, squaring her shoulders as if she’s going on an attack. “If I was, I’d have flown to Toronto, since that’s where you were supposed to be.”
She’s got guts. I like it. I remember the fact that her mother is dying, and I kind of want to ask her about it, but what’s the point, pretending I care?
I dip my chin, eyeing her. “I didn’t know I was supposed to tell you all of my whereabouts. Is that what happens in the south? You hook up once and then you owe each other something?”
She narrows her clear blue eyes and then shakes her head, making to push past me. “Fuck off,” she says as she walks by.
I grab her wrist and spin her around so she’s facing me. Yeah, maybe I’m being harsh, but the reality is a girl like Ava couldn’t handle a guy like me. I don’t even want her to have to. Most days, I can barely handle my fucking self.
“You alone?” I ask her.
She snorts. “I don’t come to clubs alone.” She eyes me up and down. “Unlike you, apparently.”
“Benji,” I hear a voice drawl behind me. Ava glances over my shoulder and her scowl deepens. She yanks her wrist from my grip.
“And I guess you won’t be leaving alone.” And then she turns and stalks off while I’m left to face the waitress. The one I no longer want anything to do with.
Why the fuck am I such a shit?
I turn to face Carly and find her grinning up at me. “Ready?” she croons, stepping toward me, pausing when her body is an inch from mine.
“No,” I bite out, “wanna get out of here?” Might as well be direct. I won’t fuck her, but damn I need a distraction.
Her eyes flash, and she looks confused for a moment, and a little nervous, but then she closes the space between us, her hand on my chest.
“Where’d you have in mind?” she asks. She’s got gum in her mouth, and I can smell the fruity scent of it on her breath. I don’t like it.
“My place.” I should get back anyway, just in case Rolland does something stupid like try to kill the people that know he murdered his son.
Carly trails her hand down my shirt. “Let’s go then.”
I glance behind me and spot Ava dancing with a brunette girl, but there’s a guy approaching her, whispering something in her ear. I remember when Caden was in this position, watching Riley grind over some other guy.
I remember what he did.
Dragged her out of the club and into an alleyway.
I swallow down my jealousy. I’m not Caden. I don’t go after girls. Not anymore.
My phone vibrates in my pocket as I turn back to Carly.
“One sec,” I say, fishing it out. She looks momentarily annoyed, but I don’t give a shit. When my phone rings, I look. It’s part of the job.
Going to Crate, wanna come with?
It’s Caden. Which is great news. It means he’s done fucking Riley and his head will be on straight when he comes here. I can text Riley to keep an eye out on Ava, and leave with the waitress.
“Ready,” I tell Carly.
She grins and reaches for my hand. I let her take it, and together, we walk through the crowd of people, headed for the exit.
I don’t want to fuck this girl, but I want to fuck around with someone, and she’ll do. I resist the urge to look back at Ava one more time as we walk out into the warm August night.
