Levi leaned in closer as the first song wound down. “Not awful,” he said close to my ear.
I turned my head, our cheeks nearly brushing. “Not at all.”
His hand rested next to mine on the top of the bar as we listened to the first set together, murmuring about each topic in between. He didn’t much care for trucks, and I’d never gone mudding. He had two dogs at home, pitbulls, and I’d never had a dog. He’d gotten drunk his first time when he was fourteen, and I’d had my first drink on my twenty-first birthday and ended up sick that night.
He made a humming sound in his throat that I just picked up over the music.
“What?” I asked, turning toward him.
“I’m starting to think you’ve lived a pretty sheltered life. I bet you were the good girl in school, straight As with perfect attendance.”
My cheeks heated at how easily he’d pegged me. “Is that so bad?”
“Bad? No.” His hand lifted, brushing my hair behind my ear. “I’m just surprised you’re here with me. You don’t seem like the type to do this kind of thing. Is that what it is? You’re trying to go a little wild?” His hand dropped to his thigh. “Or is this hall pass scenario all the boyfriend’s idea?”
My smile fell as I stared into his dark eyes. “I—”
“Hailey?” Sean called from the door.
I turned around, my eyebrows pulling together as I saw Sean pressing a hand against Neil’s chest to keep him outside.
“Neil?” I asked, slipping off the barstool to cross to the door.
Neil jerked back from Sean’s touch, pulling his button-down shirt straighter. “There you are. You weren’t answering your phone.”
“I’m on a date.” My gaze went back toward the bar where Levi was frowning as he took us in. “You knew that.” I looked back at Neil with a raised eyebrow. “Why are you here?”
“So, what, I don’t come first?” The exaggerated pout his lips formed made me look at him cautiously. “You know, you’re right. But I might as well meet him while I’m here.” He pushed past me, heading toward the bar.
“Is he drunk?” I whispered to Sean.
“Pretty sure he is. Want me to get rid of him?” Sean offered.
“No. I’ll handle it.” My steps felt heavy as I made my way to the bar.
“Wow, look how different we are!” Neil was saying, waving a hand between Levi and himself. “Must make you feel so weird, having the boyfriend show up.” He reached for my drink.
“I can’t say I was expecting it,” Levi said, looking at me.
“I’m sorry. He’s never done this before.” I eyed Neil warily.
Levi slipped off his barstool. “It’s not your fault, but this seems messier than I can handle.” He dropped a twenty onto the bar, turning and moving closer to me. “It’s a shame. You seem like a really nice girl, Hailey.” He gave me a nod and headed toward the door.
My stomach sank as he left. Turning back, I watched Neil down my drink, making a “blech” sound after.
“Was that just fruit juice?” Neil asked with a frown.
I ignored the question. “What’s going on, Neil?”
“Have you been coming to this same bar every Friday?” His nose wrinkled as he looked around.
“I feel comfortable here.” I didn’t at the moment, but I usually did. Having Neil there again made the whole place feel… off.
“Come on, Hailey. Sit and drink with me.” He patted Levi’s empty barstool.
I slid onto it as he glared down at where Jack was eyeing us from the other end of the bar.
“Pretty sure that bartender hates me,” Neil muttered, waving his hand.
