At least my mind can rest a bit knowing she’s safe, and Bullet and Hush being there could not have been better timing. Whywerethey there last night? What type of business leads them to be at a nightclub?
A twinge of jealousy rolls my stomach. No. No way is Hush out at clubs picking up women.
The waiter brings us a giant mug of coffee. It tastes devine, but somehow, I prefer the one Hush poured me at the shop.
Tequila’s stare practically burns a hole through me.
“Tequila. I love that you’re worried about me, but I am fine.”
There’s pity in her eyes and I can’t stand pity. I’d take disappointment, anger, but not pity.
“I’m so sorry that happened to you.”
“Yeah. I mean, what are the odds, right?” I scoff out a laugh, letting the mug warm my hands. She sends me another emphatic look. “And I know how sorry you are because you kept telling me the entire way here. But you have no reason to be.”
“Shouldn’t you get checked out though? I mean, they freakin’ drugged you.”
“No way am I going to the hospital. I was still fully conscious. A little loopy but awake. The only side effect is this massive pain in the ass headache, which this coffee is helping cure. So, thanks by the way.”
“Ugh. Screw the coffee. You deserve so much more than this, Danika. I promise you do.” There’s strong passion behind her words.
I force a smile, letting her believe those same words touch me somehow.
“You need to believe it, too.”
Clearly, I’m not very convincing and even for being a new friend, she can read me so well.
I gnaw on my upper lip, staring down at my latte. “I wish I did. But when bad things keep happening to you, you start to accept it. Start to believe it’s your life.”
“But that’s bullshit. You’re stronger than that.”
I huff out laughter. “Iusedto be. Now I’m just the girl who’s meant to be used then tossed out like trash.” My eyes start to burn because I don’t want to give up. But there’s a part of me that was tired of it all. Sure, Tequila could sympathize with parts of my haunting memories, but she can’t possibly understand it all. And I wouldn’t expect her to.
“Danika—”
“How are things with you and Throttle?” I cut her off, taking a sip of coffee that fake heals the pain.
Her mouth tilts up with a sad smile. “We’re good. Well, great actually.” Her face lights up when she talks about him. “He is acting a little secretive lately, so I think he might propose soon.”
“Oh my God! Wait that’s amazing.” I sit forward in my seat anxiously waiting for more details.
“I am hoping if he does, he at least waits until after Jules’s wedding.”
“You both seem so happy together.”
“We are. I mean, we better be after being in love with each other for so many years.” Her cheeks turn pink over her olive skin. She grins, setting aside her mug so she can lean closer. “So… you and Hush have been hanging around each other a bit.” She doesn’t smile or smirk, hiding the hint of glee the best she can. But I see where this is going.
“If you call him having to save my pathetic ass at least once a week, then sure, we’re hanging out.”
With a roll of her eyes, she snorts. “I’m not talking about last night. Though, I will say it’s like a guardian angel of the universe sent him. I’m talking about this morning. And Tank might have mentioned he saw you two working out together.”
“First of all, this morning we weren’t purposely hanging out. I saw a light on and invited myself into the shop because my morbid curiosity is a bitch and two, that was coincidence since we both can’t seem to sleep.”
Some of Tequila’s excitement vanishes. “Whatever the reason, I’m hoping you can break through Hush’s walls because the poor guy walks around like he’s carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders.” There’s so much truth to that, and I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t just as curious. “But there is a side of Hushthat is so unknown and kind of intimidating. I’m not sure if scary is the right word but…”
My brows furrow because that man is anything but scary. “Really? He’s always been so nice to me.” My voice softens and Tequila smiles.
“He is the club’s enforcer for a reason,” she says. “But I won’t be mad if you and him became friends. I think he needs someone like you right now. Throttle said he’s becoming more distant if that’s even possible.”
