P.P.P.S? I stole some Advil too.
I chuckle at the notepad in my hand. It would probably be a smart move for me to stay home tonight. I got more than enough shit from Dex at the training facility, and the pure hate I felt yesterday when Stella brought up Jensen moving out came with red flashing lights in my head.
Then I slipped up and called her baby in front of her sister, which I know did not go unnoticed by Stella. I then got many well-worded questions from my father when I called him asking about Jensen.
Everything in my brain is yelling at me to stop this. Walk away while I still can, but I can’t. I’m drowning in my feelings for her now and being around her seems to be my only life preserver.
I know I can’t be what she wants. I care way too much about her to put her through loving me. I know this could blow up in my face, but I didn’t expect it to happen this quickly.
Yet, here I am, picking up my keys again after dropping Dottie off at the house so I can go reach for my life preserver.
Walking into Winedown, I find Jensen’s eyes immediately. She flashes me a quick smile before helping the person in front of her.
Weaving through the tables and people, I grab the first empty seat I see at the bar.
Once the other bartender registers who I am, she simply nods and nudges Jensen. I must have made my intentions very clear the past few times I’ve been here.
Jensen leans around the other girl and shakes her head at me. I can tell from that look alone that she’s about to make me wait. Not that I mind, I’ll gladly sit here all night and watch her.
A few people come and go from the bar while Jensen occasionally looks my way. I simply give her a smile or wink. I don’t know how much time passes as I watch her, but finally the bar seems to steady a bit and she makes her way in front of me.
“Hey, Stalker.”
“Is it really stalking if you begged me to come find you?”
Jensen’s jaw drops a tad. “Begged is an awfully strong word for me, Beck. You, on the other hand…”
“Oh, don’t start with me, Jenni-cakes, I’ll have you begging in the supply closet.”
Jensen’s cheeks redden a bit, and I mark the rise and fall of her chest.
“You thinking about it?”
“Maybe,” she whispers.
Leaning on the bar, I pitch my voice lower. “I like that my mark is on display today.”
And at that, her blush dies and her hand goes to her neck. “Nunca más. Have you learned that one yet?”
“Yes, I have, and yes, it is happening again. I may not be great at speaking it yet, but I mostly started learning to understand what you whisper to yourself about me.”
Jensen leans to meet me halfway on the bar. “Get ready to hear about all the things you do that piss me off.”
I don’t miss my opportunity. “You know I love when you flirt with me.”
Jensen’s blush comes right back, and oh, how I adore it.
I’m so completely wrapped up in it that I don’t register the person moving into the seat next to me until they’re saying Jensen’s name.
“Hey, Jensen, long time no see.” The guy looks about my age with tattoos down his arms. I can’t say he’s necessarily looking at Jensen in any sort of way, but it doesn’t matter.
This pain comes to my chest when Jensen gives him a smile. “Hey, what are you doing here?”
The guy gives her a nonchalant shrug. “Well, you haven’t responded to any of my proof of life texts so I thought I’d check in.”
The fuck? I shouldn’t care that he sent her texts, especially if she’s leaving them on read, but fuck that, I do care. I care a whole fucking lot.
Jensen holds her hands up in defense. “My bad. As you can see, I’m alive. Been a little busy, but alive nonetheless.” Jensen eyes land on me. I don’t know what she’s about to introduce me as, but I know I’m going to fucking hate to hear the word friend. “This is Beck. My roommate. Beck, this is Blake, he works at Tally’s.”
