Page 11 of Sky Full of Stars

Adam: And what are you doing?

Me: Keeping out of the way

Adam: Why?

Me: They’re not my type

Adam: Oh yeah, what’s your type?

Me: Right now, no one

Adam: Everyone has a type

Me: What’s yours?

Adam: Hot, scrappy, long brown hair, nice legs

I look at my reflection again. Doesn’t mean me, he doesn’t mean me.

Me: That’s pretty particular, you’re missing out on a lot with that specific a type

Adam: We want what we want

Me: What does that mean?

He goes quiet, leaving me confused. The woman flushes and comes out, looking at me on my phone. I wash my hands again and leave the bathrooms in time to see Megan freaking out. Jason is standing next to the booth as she pushes him. I’ve clearly been training her right because when she pushes, he stumbles back and almost falls down. I hurry over and look at Megan, her eyes are wet like she’s about to cry.

“What happened?” I ask Brooke. Miles is moving out of the booth looking like a deer in the headlights. He grabs Jason’s arm and indicates with his head. They both leave. “Megan?”

“I just need a minute,” she goes to the bathroom.

“Brooke?”

“I don’t know,” she says, her brows furrowed. “They were just talking, seemed to be getting along okay, I was focused on Miles, I didn’t see that he did anything wrong. Is she okay?”

“I’ll go check,” I turn and hold up my hand letting Lou know everything is okay. Brooke gets up and goes to the bar as I walk to the bathroom. Megan is leaning against the counter looking at herself. It smells like vomit. “Hey,” I rub her back and she flinches. “Are you alright?”

“Yeah, yeah,” she straightens up after splashing her face with water. “I’m sorry.”

I look at her and she knows I am but doesn’t say anything or make any eye contact. I don’t touch her again but smile gently letting her know I’m here if she needs to talk. When she still doesn’t say anything I offer to drive her home. She nods quietly.

After telling Brooke we’re calling it a night she wishes Megan goodnight and stays with Lou. I drive Megan home, she has to give me directions. Her place isn’t in the best of areas and I worry about her as she thanks me and goes to get out of the car.

“Meg, if you ever need to talk,” I tell her. She nods, but still hasn’t made eye contact. I watch until she’s safely inside then drive home. I call Brooke to check on her on the way home and tell her Meg’s safe at home now.

“Lou said he touched her.”

“Who touched her?”

“Jason, he only touched Megan’s arm and she flipped.”

“Shit.”

“You said she was taking those self-defence classes?”

“Yeah,” I blow out a breath. “I suspected something but she won’t talk about it.”

“Give her time,” Brooke says. She has worked with victims of abuse before and knows how hard it is for them to open up. “You okay?”

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