Page 81 of Forget Me Not

“Umm. I’m just gonna go grab my coat and then we can leave.” I shoot a nervous thumb over my shoulder before going to my room. My heart is thumping violently in my chest. Alaric isn’t going to back down. But I alsoreallydon’t want to have a conversation with Alaric about this in front of them.

It’s fine. Everything will be fine.

I could just lock my door and not go out at all, but Alaric is right. I want to be out living my life. I deserve it. The only reason I’m even playing this game with him is because I can’t deny he’s keeping me safe from whoever is out there after me. And I have zero doubts that he would jump in front of a bullet for me.

Oh, and his dick. But I’m not going to acknowledge that one.

I put my apron in my top drawer, then grab my coat that’s on the bed, while giving myself a mental pep talk. Taking a deep breath, I leave the room, ready to face whatever mess is out there waiting for me.

“All set?” Alaric asks, his own jacket now draped over his forearm as he reaches his hand out to me. I ignore it.

I nod silently, looking at Tyler’s questioning gaze. He doesn’t believe a damn word of this.

“Oh,” Tyler says, stretching his neck. “Is Alaric going?”

I join the circle and Alaric puts an arm around my shoulders. “Of course I am. Rhea invited me.”

I wanna slap him. No. I want to wrap my fingers around his throat and squeeze.

Alaric continues, “Isn’t that right, baby?”

No. He. Didn’t. My cheeks flush with heat and beads of sweat form on my forehead. “Yup,” I quip as I grind my teeth abrasively.

“Hmm.” Tyler nods, looking between us and observing the situation. He saw us kiss earlier, so it shouldn’t be that much of a surprise. Not that Alaric and I are a thing, but Tyler has no idea what’s going on between us.

He’s just being a concerned friend. I know it has nothing to do with the way he feels about me because I’m positive any potential feelings disintegrated the moment he saw Alaric and I kiss at the tavern.

“That’s great,” Heather pipes up, eyes on Alaric. “I’m glad you're going with us.”

I don’t know the girl, but I wanna grab her by the face and kiss her on the cheek. Her words offer a bit of encouragement that the night might not be so bad.

“Shall we go?” Alaric asks, taking my hand. “Rhea and I will just follow behind the two of you in my car.”

I squeeze his hand back tightly, letting him know just how irritated I am with him. I wasn’t given an opportunity to fight him on coming, but I sure as hell plan to tell him how I feel about him jumping into my plans.

We walk out the front door and Tyler’s car is parked along the street, right behind Alaric’s.

“It’s not too far,” Tyler hollers as he opens his passenger door for Heather. It’s a sweet gesture, and when I see that Alaric has his car door open for me, I feel this strange rush of gratification. I find myself looking to see if Tyler noticed Alaric’s gesture.

Why I seek his approval is beyond me. I guess I just care about Tyler and I don’t want him to be disappointed in me. Another thing I can’t begin to understand about myself. I’m finding that relationships with people can be confusing and I’m still learning how to navigate the ones I’ve formed. I’ve never been a people pleaser, but as I continue to learn new things about myself, I’m finding that I don’t want to hurt the people I’ve come to care about. If they can worm their way into my heart, they deserve to be fought for.

“After you, baby,” Alaric says, a smug look on his face.

I roll my eyes as I drop into the car, ready to give him a piece of my mind once these car doors are closed.

The second he sets his foot on the floorboard of the driver’s side, I begin, “I can’t believe you! I seriously thought for a sliver of a second you had an ounce of compassion running through your veins. You make me think you’re happy that I’m going out with my friends,like a normal person my age, I might add. This is so fucking embarrassing!”

The engine roars to life and he drapes his wrist over the steering wheel. Glancing in his side mirror, his eyes are vacant and distant. He eases slowly off of the brake and pulls out onto the road without a single word.

“Dammit, Alaric! Say something!”

“I’m sorry,” he says, eyes on the road ahead. “Was there a question?”

“Yes! Well, technically no. But explain yourself, dammit!”

“You lied to me and told me you weren’t going anywhere. I caught you in said lie, and here we are.” His tone is low and forthright. “What else is there to explain?”

“Why?” I shout over the purr of the engine.

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