Page 18 of A Hurt So Good

Once inside, I examine the text again. Maybe they have the wrong number. Maybe they don’t know it’s me. No, that can’tbe. They know what I’m wearing. My stomach cramps at the thought of someone out there watching me.

I shove the phone back in my purse and look at myself in the mirror. I don’t have a lot of friends, but I sure as hell don’t have enemies, either. I don’t bother people. I don’t talk to them, so why the hell would someone send me something like that? I could tell my mom, but what good would that do? She would say to delete it and move on which is exactly what I should do. I slide the phone back out and delete the messages before slipping it back and turning to leave the bathroom.

Just as I’m about to step out the door, a large body blocks my exit. I look up and see War’s eyes burning into me.

“What the hell are you doing? This is the women’s bathroom.”

“You think I’ve never been in a woman’s bathroom before?” he asks, raising an eyebrow.

“I wouldn’t know, nor do I care. Move,” I say, trying to brush past. But he doesn’t move. He stands there like a goddamn brick wall of muscle.

“What happened?”

“What do you mean?”

“You ran off after your phone chimed.”

“And?”

“And I wanted to know what happened,” he replies casually, as if we’ve been best friends for the last hundred years. I roll my eyes and try to make my way around him once again, but he doesn’t let me. Instead, his hand reaches out, wrapping around my throat as my eyes widen.

“What the hell are you doing?” I snap at him, reaching up and trying to pry his hands off my neck to no avail. He’s too strong, much stronger than I am.

“Call me curious, little bird, but I want to know what has you running from the dinner table,” he explains calmly. I snort a laugh, and his grip on my throat tightens. “This would be so much easier if you just told me what I wanted to know.”

“There’s nothing to tell. I had to piss,” I squeeze out the words around the hold he has on me. He cocks his head to the side and studies me before laughing manically. Then his face changes. He looks … deadly. Evil.

“Fine. I’ll let it slide for now.” Now he releases my throat, and I raise my hand, rubbing at the spot his large hand had held hostage.

“For now? None of what I do is your business, War.”

“As your older brother, it’s my job to keep you safe,” he says, smirking at me. Oh my God. He is not pulling the brother card.

“The thing is, my mom likes men. So many men. I highly doubt we’re going to be around for very long, so there’s no need to worry yourself over me,” I say as I smile politely at him. He doesn’t know how to respond to me. I can see the confused look in his eyes.

War finally nods his head and steps back when another woman approaches and tries to get into the bathroom. I give her a thankful smile as she looks between the two of us. After she passes, I step out and find my way back to the table with War right behind me. I take my seat, and he does the same, even as Jarrod glances between us.

“So, how is work, Arya?” he asks.

“It’s fine. I’ve been working on a new website for Mom. Her old one was a little outdated,” I tell him as our dinner is sat in front of us.

“And it looks fabulous,” mom chimes in, resting her hand on Jarrod’s arm. “She is very talented.”

I don’t acknowledge her. She’s just making small talk because we all know she hasn’t even lifted a finger to look at any of my work. As long as she keeps making money, that’s all she’s concerned with.

“I’m sure she is,” Jarrod adds, his eyes finding mine. I give him a soft smile before looking back down at my plate.

The guys and Jarrod continue talking about working and why the guys won’t just join Jarrod and work for him. I’ve learned from my online searches he owns multiple companies as well as nightclubs. He even has stock in some of the biggest security companies in the world. I’m not sure why the guys don’t work for him, and I didn’t care to ask.

“Arya, have you made any new friends yet?” I look up when I hear Jarrod say my name.

“Uh, yeah, a few. Cale and his sister Tracy are pretty nice,” I tell him. Harlon stifles a laugh, but Jarrod cuts his eyes at him, and he stops.

“The Lancaster’s are a good family. Good kids as well.”

“I’ve only hung out with them once, but Tracy texts me a lot.”

“She’s a nice girl. I’m sure you two would have a lot in common.” I shrug my shoulders because I’m not so sure we do. She seems nice and all, but I don’t know.

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