But what’s new? It’s starting to become the story of my life.
Chapter Sixteen
LANDON
“What’s up your ass tonight?” Adrian snaps at me as I slam the drawer in the desk just a little harder than I should.
“Don’t ask.” I slump into my chair, glaring at the screens that are currently showing the feeds from the security cameras in the bar.
“Ah, that’s not how it works, young Landon. You see, firstly, I’ve already asked the question. And secondly, I’m your supposed best friend, well,I wasbefore Poppy showed up. So, you’re expected to share your problems with me so you don’t break my furniture.” Taking one of the chairs and turning it backwards, he straddles it, resting his forearms on the top of the chair, patiently waiting for me to take the bait.
“This desk is mine,” I growl.
“Yeah, yeah, whatever. You paid for it, but I get to use it.” He waves his hand in the air at me. Adrian might feel differently if he knew what I’ve done on this desk. I make a mental note to buy another desk for the bar, and this one can be delivered to myhome office, where I’d be more than happy to recreate that scene all over again.
The door opens and Charlene pops her head into the room. “I hate to break up the party, boys, but it’s time for my break, so I need one of you behind the bar.”
I don’t want to talk about what happened today with Adrian, so the timing is perfect.
“I’ll do it,” I reply as she nods her head and is gone. Pushing up from my chair straight away, I stride toward the door, and I don’t stop when Adrian calls to me.
“This conversation isn’t over,” I hear him yell from behind me when I’m partway down the hallway.
“That’s what you think,” I mumble to myself, walking away, with my mind still on Poppy and the DNA test I took her to get done today. Sully called Poppy last night after speaking with Tessa. He told us Tessa’s very eager to have the tests done straight away so she can prove she’s Poppy’s mother. I told Poppy she didn’t need to rush and she could do it in her own time.
But my stubborn girl wasn’t waiting. Poppy also wants the answer as soon as she can. At least she listened when I suggested she call her therapist and see if she could get an emergency appointment today.
Luckily her therapist made time to squeeze Poppy in for a session after we were scheduled to be at the DNA clinic. So, after the nurse at the clinic took the DNA sample, we went straight to Meara’s office. I sat in the waiting room, afraid to leave just in case Poppy needed me. Watching her come out of the appointment, with red puffy eyes and looking exhausted, I knew she had a tough session. I can only imagine what she’s going through right now.
A loud outburst of laughter from one of the tables at the side of the room reminds me I’m behind the bar to do a job, not to just stand here lost in my worry for Poppy.
“What can I get you?” I ask the brunette sitting on her own at the bar.
“Whatever you’re serving up tonight,” she replies, fluttering her eyelashes at me. Sitting up taller, she pushes her chest forward as she slides her almost empty martini glass across the bar toward me. I’m not in the mood for this tonight.
“Another martini, coming right up.” Turning my back on her to make her drink, I can see her in the mirror behind the bar as her eyes run over my body, checking out my ass.
“There you go. Enjoy.” I try to sound polite, but I know I’m not even close to pulling it off as I wipe the bar down in front of me.
“Grumpy. Just my type. They’re usually the hot ones in the bedroom,” she says as she takes the first olive on the cocktail pick between her lips, trying to seductively pull it into her mouth. She’s failing.
“Asshole, actually. The kind who’s not interested in your type or ever being in your bedroom.” I watch her eyes widen as I speak.
“Okay, perhaps tonight you should head home early.” Adrian’s voice comes from behind me, his hand clamping down on my shoulder. He starts pushing me in the direction of the office. “I think I’ve got things under control here.”
“Yes, his customer service is disgusting. You, on the other hand, obviously the owner, sound much more pleasant.” Her overly smooth drawl has the hair on the back of my neck standing up. The muscles in my shoulders tense, and I can feel my teeth grinding.
“Don’t speak. Go. Home,” Adrian whispers harshly in my ear. “And expect me on your doorstop in the morning. We need totalk. Obviously.” He pushes me hard enough away from the bar that I stumble a little but quickly regain my footing.
I don’t look back but hear him now using his smooth charm on that woman. Knowing Adrian, he’ll probably take one for the team and fuck her after he’s finished for the night. He’ll give me some bullshit tomorrow, like he was just making sure she didn’t leave a bad review. One day there’ll be a woman who stops him dead in his tracks, and he won’t know what hit him. And I can’t fucking wait to set up my deck chair and popcorn to watch it happen.
Pulling my keys out of the drawer, I stop for a second. Running my hand along my desk, it’s like I can visualize Poppy here. Happy, not a care in the world, letting me take all her worries away. Screaming my name like I’m her savior.
“Yeah, I don’t know what I was thinking. I’m calling the movers tomorrow. This desk is not staying here a day longer,” I mutter. Grabbing my wallet from the drawer too, I slam it shut and lock it.
“John, I’m leaving for the night. Watch Adrian, and if he needs any extra help, call Charlene back from her break. Tell her I’m sorry,” I say into my comms gear. Letting head of security know that I’m leaving the building is important.
“Got it, boss. She’ll be fine, though you know she’ll bitch to you about it later. All bark and no bite, that one,” John replies to me.
