I know he’s worried because of my father and my brother, but they know him.They know he’d never intentionally hurt me.He’d give his life to save mine if warranted.
“So how did the two of you meet?”Jenny Lynn nudges me in the rib.
“Oh, that.”I laugh softly and peel at the label on my beer bottle.“He’s my brother’s best friend.”
“How’d he take that?”
“He doesn’t know.”
“That must be hard.”
“Something like that.”
“Ooh, they’re starting.You ready to bust a move?”She laughs.“God, I’m showing my age with that, huh?”
“A little.”I wince.
“It’s okay.My boys remind me all the time how uncool I am.”
“I’m sure when they hear about your night you’ll gain some points back on the cool scale.”
I take a sip of my beer and look back to Justice, but he’s gone.Did he leave?
I glance around the room as the karaoke contestants start off with the first song.‘Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas.’
“Excuse me,” I tell my new friend.
Where is he?Why didn’t he tell me he was leaving?I pull out my phone and check to see if he’s tried to call or sent a text.There’s nothing except some notifications that I have a new follower on Mr.Tinkles’ account and my Only Coeds has a new subscriber.Shit.I didn’t even consider him making accounts to follow me.I’d think it was sweet if I weren’t so concerned about what he might think about me now.What he might be reporting to my father right this minute.
I check the bathrooms.Nothing.
Maybe he got pissed and went back to the room.
I step outside the bar, and there he is leaning against the side of the building, foot propped behind him, smoking a cigarette.Relief washes over me.
He sees me but doesn’t smile or speak.I can’t get a read on him.
“Hey.”I test the temperature of his mood.“It’s almost our turn.”
He takes a hard drag.Smoke curls between us.His gaze is dark.Primal.“Go back inside, Bean.”His tone is weary.Filled with frustration.
“Are you…are you mad at me?”
“Nope.”
“You seem mad.”
“I’m not mad, Neva.”
He’s being cold, and I don’t like this side of him.
The door opens.“There you are.They just called your name,” Jenny Lynn tells me.
“I’ll be right there.”
“Okay.”She gives me a thumbs up and goes back in.
Justice snubs his cigarette out and follows me back into the bar.“Don’t expect me to sing with you,” he grits in my ear.
