His nostrils flare, and I swear he’s either going to kill me or fuck me, but he does neither. Instead, he takes a step back and shoves his hands into his pockets. His eyes flick backand forth between mine, and my gaze doesn’t falter against his. “Okay,” he says. “You’re right. I’m sorry.”
I let out a breath and reach for my black fringed cross-body bag. “Now, if you’re done acting like a child, let's go. And you’re buying me food and drinks by the way, for being so hot and cold the last few days.”
His lips twitch, but he doesn’t let out a smile. Instead, he nods once, and we head out of the room and down the elevator in silence. Once we hit the casino floor, he takes my hand in his. I look up at him, but he avoids my gaze.
I have no idea what’s going on with him, but it’s like he’s lost all sight of our original deal and the things he said on Christmas. I want to ask him about it, but I fear what comes out of his mouth will destroy everything between us. The tiny little box I’ve placed him in doesn’t need to open, because if it does, I don’t know if I can stop the feelings I’ve buried from coming to the surface.
We get a burger and a beer for the road and make our way down to the hotel where the tattoo convention is being held. When I finish my burger, Declan takes my hand in his again and doesn’t let go.
My heart skips a beat, but I stomp down my traitorous feelings. When we get to the hotel, there are dozens of heavily tattooed people hanging around. “Don’t let go of my hand, Penny.”
I nod, and he pulls me to where we give the attendant our tickets. “I need to buy a ticket,” I tell him.
“I got you one already.”
My mouth flounders open, but he hands the attendant his phone, and she scans it, giving us the okay to enter through the doors.
I don’t know why I’m shocked that Declan already purchased my ticket. It’s just like the zoo, and every other one of our outings over the last few months. I have to sneakily pay for things; otherwise, he won’t let me touch my wallet.
There are all walks of life milling about, and the amount of ink I see is intimidating. Declan fits in here perfectly, and I can’t help but think I don’t belong here with him. Why I’m all of a sudden insecure escapes me, but my mind goes to a place where Declan is with a heavily tattooed woman, who doesn’t have a kid, and I see them happily together without any baggage.
Being here confirms that Declan can only be my friend. We’re from two very different worlds, and this is nailing it home for me.
There was a very, very small part of me that thought maybe him taking me bare was his way of saying something, but now I know it wasn’t. He went momentarily crazy and had a bad lapse in judgment. There’s no way he would ever risk attaching himself permanently to me. He can have so much more than a single mom. He can have someone who isn’t tied down by a sordid past or keeping secrets from the people around her.
He pulls me through the crowd, and everyone, women and men, stare at him in awe. I don’t blame them, though. Between his yellow-green eyes, colorful tattoos, and tall stature, Declan isn’t just eye candy; he’s fuck-hot gorgeous.
“Declan,” a deep voice up ahead calls out. When we get closer, an attractive male, who’s tattooed much like Declan, smiles at him and comes in for a hug. “I’ve missed you, man,” he says with a backslap.
“I know. Sorry I haven’t reached out lately. I’ve been busy.”
The man looks at me and smirks. “I can tell. Who is this?” He reaches his hand out and I take it in mine for a shake.
“I’m Penny.” I give him a friendly smile, and he beams back with one of his own.
“My best friend,” Declan adds. He grabs my hand and intertwines our fingers together. My heart stalls because he’s never called me his best friend before. But I guess with how much time we’ve spent together and the things we’ve shared, I would say he’s my best friend, besides Jordan, too.
The man looks down at our hands and chuckles. “I see. Well, my name is Ky. Declan, and I used to work together in Newport. Follow me. Our booth is just down the way.”
Declan gives my hand a quick squeeze, and we make our way to a booth where there’s a line of people waiting and two people tattooing.
“Oh my god, is that Declan Young?” a woman asks with a smirk on her face. She’s got fake red hair, tattoos fromher wrists to her shoulders, and she’s wearing a tube top that barely contains her fake tits, along with a mini skirt so short you can almost see her panties.
She comes right up to Declan and plants her lips on his, and I immediately let go of his hand.
What the actual fuck?
Was this the woman he hung out with last night?
Bile rises in my throat, and I catch Ky’s eyes go wide. His mouth pops open like he’s about to say something, but I don’t stay to hear it and walk away as fast as I can. Declan was inside of me not twenty-four hours ago, and he lets this woman kiss him while he’s holding my hand?
I must look like a fucking idiot right now.
My ears are ringing, and I clench my fists so nobody can see that I’m shaking. I have no right to be jealous. I just told Declan that all we’ll ever be is friends, using his own words against him. So, why am I having this reaction?
I don’t get more than twenty yards through the crowd before a hand grabs my upper arm. I flinch at the contact but relax slightly when I see it’s Ky. “Wait up.”
“I’m just gonna go call my daughter,” I tell him, the excuse rolling off my tongue easily.
