She shook her head, her lips flat. “I went to a bookstore, alone, and was asleep by nine. Wild animal over here.”
They all looked at me expectantly, and I felt pressured to answer. “Had friends over.” That was the truth, but Elle just stared at the back of her hand. It’d be tough to talk to her with Alex and Charlie hovering around, but I had to. Even if I didn’t have my emotions in check, I knew I couldn’t lose her, and for some reason, I felt a countdown ticking down, like I’d miss my one tiny chance to be with her if I didn’t try soon.
CHAPTER
TWENTY-THREE
Elle
The Oscar belonged to me and me alone. I was a badass bitch who didn’t show one ounce of how sad I was on the inside. Not even a little. I applied my best mascara and midsummer outfit. Did my hair. Wore my favorite Chucks. Put on my battle gear –perfume and hoop earrings, and I refused to show Cal how upset I was.
One, for my own ego. But two, so he didn’t need to feel guilty. That was what I’d learned from him all these weeks was that he acted out of what I assumed was pain and then felt like shit about it. He didn’t want to hurt me. He hadn’t paraded the woman around me intentionally. He’d asked for space, and I’d showed up unannounced.
It was a real kick in the crotch to know he’d done nothing wrong while crushing my foolish, romantic heart. It’d be easier if he was an asshole about it, flaunting another hookup or promising me something and breaking it. He’d done NONE of those things.
How did one get over something they did to themselves? If anyone had the answer, I’d pay money. Big monies. I wiped down the bar with a towel as more patrons came in, and I felt his gaze on me. I gave him a quick smile and wink before tending to the guests. It’d be great to not have to stare at him all the time here. I refused to quit or change jobs. I loved it too much, but not working with him on the weekends would be a start. A little distance right now would help. I could piece my heart back together before we hung out again.
Sleeping with him had changed everything, like I knew it would, but my ding-dong heart had made me fall in love with him anyway. Jealousy wasn’t a feeling I got too often, but thinking about the owner of that laugh had my insides turning green. Didsheknow about his past? His soft heart? His fear of being alone? His plants?
Okay, settle down.
I poured a glass of gin and tonic just as I heard my brother’s voice.
“A fight? I read about it in the news?” Gabe plopped down at the end of the bar, his face lined with anger. He looked me up and down, his frown growing. “What the hell? Didn’t want to tell me?”
“Not really. And this is why.” I gestured to him.
He deflated, his eyes closing. Gabe loved me. I knew that. But we still were figuring out this new dynamic between us. He sighed.
“Are you alright? Did you get hurt?”
“I’m fine.” I held my bruise and found Cal watching us, his brows drawn together. I refocused on my brother. “It could’ve been significantly worse if Cal wasn’t there though. I’m thankful he was.”
He twisted around and nodded at Cal. “Is he okay? What did he do?”
I gave Gabe the replay of what went down, and I swore he was gonna break the glass of water I’d given him. “Dude, it’s fine now.”
“You shouldn’t be working here. Find a new job. I can help you.”
Irritation had my jaw tightening. “Not again. Cal said the same thing, but you’re wasting your breath.”
“Yeah, well, he’s right.” He huffed and frowned. “Never thought I’d say that, damn. Glad he kept his word.”
“Whatword?”
“Told me he’d take care and look out for you.” Gabe narrowed his eyes. “Y’all are just friends still, right?”
Clearly.“Did you come here to scold me, Dad?”
He stared me down, his shoulders losing some of the tension. I raised a brow, my own pulse racing at the mini confrontation.
“I’m sorry, really.” He sighed. “I’m adjusting to having you here, alright? I want you safe, and reading about a bar fight? With arrests? At the place you work at? It fucking scared me. You should’ve told me. Dani and I could’ve stayed with you.”
“I stayed with Cal,notthat it’s your concern. We lived through it together, and he protected me numerous times. He’s a good person buried beneath his tough exterior. I’d appreciate if you stopped acting like he was a piece of shit.”
“Whoa, Elle, I didn’t—”
“You did. You insult him all the time and make sure he knows it. Don’t you think that’s hard enough?” My temper flared now. I quickly glanced to make sure Cal stood at the door, but his back must’ve been toward me. “He donates more than you earn a year to charities. Did you know that? Takes care of plants that are half-dead to try and get them back to life.” My voice remained a whisper, but I felt people watching us. I took a breath and took a step away.
