I pick mine up. “They don’t keep rat poison in the back, do they?” I joke, hoping to lighten the mood.
She snorts and sets her empty glass down, then snatches mine from my hand. She tosses it back and hisses in a breath as the burn hits.
Two hours have goneby and I’m craving a hit. April is drunk and can barely keep her eyes open. She hasn’t said much, but Derek hasn’t taken his eyes off us from his post behind the bar.
They have a past. I’m just not sure how far back it goes. The guy obviously has a thing for her, and it’s easy to tell they’ve fucked. He sees me as his competition, but I have news for him. There is nothing he could do to beat me. If I want it, I win.
April gets my attention when she slams her empty glass down on the table. “I’m ready… to go.” She hiccups.
“Okay.” I pull a few hundred dollars from my wallet and throw them in the center of the table. Then I get out of the booth and reach out my hand to her. She’s going to need help walking out of this place.
“April.” The douche comes up to the table. “You need to stay. Have some water.”
“She’ll be fine,” I tell him, pushing him out of the way.
She takes my hand and scoots across the leather. Once she hits her feet, she stumbles into me. I wrap my arm around her small waist to steady her.
“April.” He steps closer, puffing out his chest like he’s ready to brawl with me. I have six inches on him, but I’m also holding a very drunk woman. Both of my hands are full.
“Move back,” I warn.
“Or what?” He smirks. “Going to hit me?”
The fucker knows I can’t hit him. If so, she’ll fall. So I use the other option I have. My leg. I knee the motherfucker in the balls.
He drops to his knees, forcing him to the nasty bar floor when he doubles over. I readjust April, and we make our way to my car.
APRIL
I know gettingdrunk was irresponsible. I’m drowning my problems for the time being, which I never do. They’re still going to be here tomorrow, but I’ll deal with them then.
I drop into Grave’s passenger seat, and he shuts my door. My face falls into my hands when he slides behind the wheel, and I try my best not to cry. To yell. If my brother were here, I’d punch him again just to get my point across.
“Hey.” Grave strokes my back in a soothing motion while we sit in the parking lot. I turn into him, letting him hug me.
“That was all she had.” I sniff, inhaling his cologne as I bury my face in his shirt.
“Look at me.” He places his fingers under my chin and lifts it, so I have to meet his gaze. “I’m going to take care of it. I promise. It’s just a speed bump.”
“I won’t be able to repay you.” That’s the hardest pill to swallow. Our mother raised us to live within our means, but this is going too far. Maybe I should just sell the building as is and walk away.
“You won’t owe me anything.” He leans forward and gently kisses my forehead. I sink back into my seat as he reaches over, fastening my seat belt with care. He starts the car and pulls out of the parking lot to take me home.
I rest my head against the cool window, and my eyelids close on their own.
“April?” I hear his voice.
“Hmm?” I open my heavy eyes.
“We’re here.” He turns his car off.
I open the door and manage to climb out of his passenger seat. He’s there the next moment to help me up the stairs and into the house.
“Ethan?” I call out once we enter. “Ethan?” I get no response. “He better be here.” I yawn.
“I’ll check,” he assures me.
He helps me up the stairs and into my room. I don’t even care about showering right now. I grab my shirt and lift it up over my head before tossing it to the floor. Then I kick off my shoes and undo my jeans. I turn to see I’m alone in my room.
