“Ma’am, is this dude botheringyou?”
“Yes,” I seethe over at Axel with my newfound hatred for him. It’s always been there beneath the surface, and tonight it’s honored to make its official debut. “He most certainly is. Please escort me out of the building. I’d hate for him to followme.”
The wrestler to my right cinches his arm through mine while the one to my left holds a hand out to Axel in the event he tries to make amove.
“Lex—wait!” he shouts over the music so loud even the DJ pauses his mixing moves to acknowledge the commotion. “This is a huge mistake! Don’tgo!”
His voice grows small as I speed up the stairs, taking them on two bytwo.
No sooner do I get to the ground level, feel the rush of stale New York air hitting me in the face than a familiar voice roars frombehind.
“Lex! Lex—please! Come back to me, Lex.I loveyou! ”
And those are the last words I ever hope to hear from AxelCollins.
I sob like the weak-minded moron I had become all the wayhome.
As soon as I set foot back in Hollow Brook, I knew Cupid and his stupid fictional arrow would never be a part of my lifeagain.
I would never allowit.
PresentDay
Lex
As if havinga constant flock of protesters clamoring on the sidewalk in front of my home weren’t enough, they’ve managed to migrate to The Sloppy Pelican, filling in the lot with their ridiculous banners and homemade, mostly illegible third grade art on astick.
“Oh magah!” Raven strums it out, doing her best country girl impersonation. We drove in together since she’s agreed to help me with the working end of Teagan’s official Freedom Fest. It’s slated to begin in less than an hour. I’ve been doing a lot of back and forth today, helping to decorate the banquet room to make sure the details were justright.
“They must have followed me this afternoon.” I click my tongue in disgust at the smarmy group, chantingboycott ThePelican!
“Oh my God.” Now it’s me exclaiming my horror. “This isn’t right.” My feet pivot in the small crowd’s direction, and Raven wastes no time in twisting me back toward The SloppyPelican.
“Never mind them. We’ll deal with them later. They’re old news anyway. We’ve got a Freedom Fest to tendto!”
“Right.” We speed in through the oversized front doors, and each time I enter this place the butterflies in my stomach still take flight. It’s true. Axel Collins has never stopped having that effect on me—and just the prospect of being near him does thesame.
I’ve spent the night at his penthouse more times this week than at my own place. I guess it’s safe to say I’m warming to those Southern sleepovers quitenicely.
The Pelican is usually full to the hilt for a Friday evening, but tonight it’s shockinglyempty.
“Looks like a slow night.” I head over to the bar where Mojo stands alone, polishing glasses instead of wowing the barflies with his mixing moves. “What’s going on? Is the Black Bear offering free food and booze tonight?” Everyone knows that the Black Bear is the only real competition for The Sloppy Pelican. But they’re located all the way on the other end of town. Even if the free scenario were true, I can’t imagine we would have such empty tables. The Pelican might be new, but it’s amassed a loyalfollowing.
“The Black Bear doesn’t do anything for free. Heck, they charge to take selfies with the bartenders. But, hey—we all know bartenders are worth the price of admission.” He gives a quick wink along with the cheesy line. “Seriously though—” Mojo flexes those behemoth biceps without meaning to. His features morph to something just this side of pity as he ticks his head toward the front. “I have no clue why we’re so dead tonight. But I doubt the Black Bear has anything to do with it. It’s probably just the calm before thestorm.”
“I sure hope so.” Raven shakes her perfectly glassy straight hair at the empty chairs and tables. “At this rate, there won’t be a need for anotherwaitress.”
“Come on. Let’s get to the banquet room before the birthday girl’s guests arrive.” I coax her out of her disheartened gaze before she gets cold feet and never lands a job and never moves out. Her slovenly ways have certainly not grown on me, nor do I intend to let them. This morning I found six different shampoo bottles in the guest bathroom, all of them flipped on their sides, vomiting pink goo from their spouts. Her razor was on the floor next to the toilet—working end up. If she slices her foot open and gets a staph infection, this girl will never leavealive.
“Hey, Lex?” Mojo calls out, and I send Raven to the banquet room ahead of me before backtracking to thebar.
“What’s up?” I lean over the icy granite counter as a knot begins to build in my stomach. There’s something about an empty restaurant that doesn’t sit well with me. Especially since it’s been brimming with bodies for the last fourmonths.
“Abby quit. Just thought you shouldknow.”
“What?” A pinch of excitement bubbles in me. Maybe this night is off on the right trajectory after all. “Tell me more.” I’m suddenly intrigued by anything to do with Abby Have-a-Cox-Will-Call-You. I know all about the heavy hitting she’s done to my boyfriend. Hey! I just called Axel myboyfriend! A giddy little laugh rides through me. Abby is gone, and Axel is mine. I’m two for twotonight.
“She said she got some big gig at CollinsEnterprises.”
