She eyes me up and down then aggravatedly blows out a sharp breath. “I really do regret it.” She looks dejected but then she perks up and a smug smile splits across her face. “But whatever. I was the best he’s ever had, and if it’s not with me, it’ll be with someone else. I doubt you’ll be able to give him what he needs. Why do you think Bryson did what he did? Guys like that only put up with girls like you for so long.”
My stomach dips painfully. Of course Bryson did. I shouldn’t expect anything less from him, but it still hurts, nonetheless.
I say nothing but flip her off as she walks away because there’s no point in arguing or fighting over a guy. Like Vienna, I refuse to do that. That’s pathetic even though for a brief moment I wanted to slap her. And I wanted to tell her that that would never happen because I make Daniel happy, he said so. I’d love to rub our deal in her face, but I’m just the girl he made a deal with if he’s desperate in ten years.
I’m in over my head to assume he’d actually wait. Happiness doesn’t always equate to anything. It’s a fickle feeling.
When I know she’s gone, I chug the rest of my beer. I set it down and ask the bartender for something stronger.
Dying would’ve been easier than feeling what I’m feeling.
The girls come back moments later, but they’re not the only ones who show up. A few guys circle around us. I think they’re lacrosse players, but I’m not sure nor do I care. The girls eat up the attention though. I’m happy for them; they should have fun, but I can’t help but think about my feelings for Daniel.
I’ve never wanted anyone more, but I’m scared of what I feel and not being able to understand it.
“So…what’s your name?” one of the guys asks me.
I say nothing, hoping he’ll take the hint.
He laughs, his beer-tinted breath fanning the side of my face. “Oh come on. You’re here, I’m here—let’s get to know one another. I promise not to be weird.”
“You already are.” I take a sip of my drink and suck in a breath as the tequila burns my throat.
“How so?” He stands a little closer and I shouldn’t welcome it but I do. But then I recoil because he doesn’t smell like Daniel, doesn’t look like him either.
“You’re being pushy, you’re too close, and you’re getting on my nerves,” I flatly reply, but he smiles as if I’ve said a joke.
“Drinks on me. What do you say?” He disregards everything I’ve said, stepping a little closer, his gaze falling to my chest. “You can get anything you want.”
“I can pay for my own drinks.”
“Come on. Just give me a few minutes to change your mind.”
“You’re standing too fucking close.” I’m not sure where Daniel came from, but he stands next to me, snaking a protective and secure arm around my waist.
He almost pulls me off the chair. Most of my ass is off the seat. I’d be afraid of falling off if he wasn’t holding me as firmly as he is. I shouldn’t be okay with him grabbing me like I’m his,warning whatever-his-name is that I’m off-limits, but a needy part of me enjoys this.
The guy raises his hands in surrender, taking a few steps back. “Shit, I’m sorry, Danny. I didn’t know she was your girlfriend.”
“Just back the fuck away.” His voice is thick, almost sounds like gravel as he pins the guy with a dark look.
“Right, yeah.” He pivots and huddles around his other friends, not once looking back at us.
“I’m not your girlfriend,” I say, keeping my voice even. Hoping I’m hiding how happy I am that he’s here.
He’s still looking at the guy, protective and annoyed as if he’s waiting for him to come back and try something. I’m pretty certain he’s not, but Daniel’s on alert.
I shouldn’t find this hot or like how serious he looks. I’ve seen various versions of him, but this side is different.
A beat later, he looks down at me and his face softens a fraction. “No, I miss you? No, congratulations? I’ve been gone for four days, Josie, and that’s the first thing you say to me?”
“Congratulations, Cap. You kicked ass out there.”
Daniel helps me adjust back on the seat and stands in front of me. He places his hand back on my waist and my skin tingles as his calloused palm softly glides over my back. Then he props his elbow on the bar top and grabs one of my bubble braids.
I crane my head back to look up at him, keeping a straight face at his pout.
“Did you not miss me?” He sounds genuinely disappointed like that wasn’t what he was hoping to hear.
