“Renthrow has a girlfriend and he’s very committed to her.”
‘Committed’ is an understatement. I remember when I first joined the training camp. Renthrow, McLanely and Kinsey embarked on a quest to run a bad guy out of Lucky Falls. Turns out, that guy was harassing Cordelia for years and Renthrow had enough of it.
“This place takes having a girlfriendsoseriously. I mean, what’s wrong with having lots of friends? Who’s to say you won’t like someone else a lot better than your current partner? You can’t let your girlfriend keep you from finding your wife.”
My mouth falls open halfway. I have no idea what to say to that. Is this what Layla thinks about relationships?
Seriously… who was I dating for two years?
Turning away in disgust, I wave to get the bartender’s attention and gesture for him to refill my water glass.
“You sure all you want is water, Nat?” Layla asks. “That’s no fun.”
She’s right. This is no fun. But it’s not because of my drinking choices.
I check across the room and notice that Mauve is bringing another set of glasses to Riley’s table.
Chance already whisked April to safety, but Riley is still here, which means I’m staying too.
But maybe I find a table far away from my ex while I watch.
Layla suddenly kicks her legs out and scoots to the edge of her chair. “Ooh-la-la.”
I ignore her.
She elbows me in the side so I have to look. “That’s the guy from the grocery store.”
It’s Kinsey and Renthrow. Their heads swing back and forth as they scan the room, searching for their girlfriends.
Renthrow spots me at the bar and stomps over. “Campbell, have you seen?—”
“They’re back there.” I point to Riley’s table.
Renthrow immediately swivels to find Cordelia among the patrons. He sees her drinking and sighs heavily.
Kinsey barely acknowledges me as he makes a bee-line for Rebel.
I wish I had the right to head over to that table too. I wish I could pick Riley up gently the way that Kinsey is picking up Rebel. I wish I could push Riley’s hair behind her ear the way Renthrow is doing with Cordelia. I wish I could coax her to her feet and ask her if she’s feeling okay after all that drinking.
I want the right to do that.
So badly.
Layla leans in until I can smell the olive on her breath. “Who’s the black-haired guy with the pretty blue eyes?”
I put distance between us and keep watch over Riley. Cordelia is standing and trying to tug Riley up. Since they live in the same building, the girls will probably travel together.
At least Riley will be taken care of.
Even if it’s not by me.
“Don’t tell me he’s taken too,” Layla says, watching the men collect their tipsy girlfriends from the table. Then she shrugs. “Oh, well. Taken doesn’t mean married.”
I’ve had enough of Layla for one night.
Pushing firmly to my feet, I walk away from my ex-girlfriend.
“Nat, where are you going?”
