Lies. I had no doubt he was lying. “Phillip.”
At that moment, Jake cleared his throat. My breath hitched and I nodded. “Everyone, this is Phillip. My ex.”
“Babe, don’t say it like that.” His tone was syrupy sweet, causing a surge of rage to flow through me.
I narrowed my eyes at him. “Did you need something?”
He reached for me again.
This time, Jake moved from behind the desk and stepped between us. “I’m sure I told you we don’t allow guests on site.”
Phillip looked at me, gaze fixed on mine, a challenge. I shrugged and looked at Jake for a second, then at Asher, whose eyes were wide, then back to Phillip. “You heard the boss.”
Phillip huffed in defeat. “Fine. I'll catch you later.” I couldn't tell if it was a promise or a threat. A moment later and he was gone. The second the trailer door shut behind him, I let out a long, relieved breath.
Jake looked at me for a second before clearing his throat. “Don't go anywhere just yet. Give him a couple of minutes to clear out. I'm going to go get work started again.” He looked at Max, who nodded quickly.
“Right,” Max said. “Micah, take all the time you need. We’ve got you covered. Asher?”
“I'll be right out,” Asher said. With that, Jake and Max were gone. “Are you okay?” Asher stood and moved closer to me.
I exhaled, slow and shaky, rubbing the back of my neck. “Yeah.” I didn’t want to get into details. Not right now. Not at work, of all places.
“What did he want?”
I shrugged, trying to seem casual and unbothered. “I don't know. To be an asshole, probably.”
He nodded slowly. “I believe it. He seemed like an asshole.” A moment of silence passed between us before he cleared his throat. “I’m going to head back out there. I’m sure Tyler could use a hand.”
“Thanks,” I murmured. “I’ll be out in a sec.” As the door closed behind him, I scrubbed my hands over my face and let out yetanother long breath.How did he find me? What did he want?I couldn’t stop the racing thoughts. I shook my shoulders out and stretched my neck a little before leaving the trailer.
I found myself distracted for the rest of the day, part of me wondering what the hell he wanted and part of me worrying he’d return. I knew it was only a matter of time before he found me, either in town or at home and heaviness settled over me at the thought. I tried to keep myself focused on work, to shove away the worries about Phillip.
Eventually, we wrapped up for the day, Max calling it a little early, which I was grateful for. I knew I shouldn’t, but I avoided Asher’s questioning look as I ducked into my car and headed home.
As I walked in, Kieran was on the couch, working on his laptop. He immediately closed the laptop and set it aside. “Well that was quite the day.” A beat passed. “Phillip, huh? You doing okay?”
“Peachy,” I said dryly, collapsing onto the couch.
“What did he want?”
“God, I have no idea. Nothing good.”
“He never does.”
Worry gnawed at my stomach and I closed my eyes briefly. “I need a fucking drink. Let’s go to that bar. Copper Elephant.”
“You sure that’s a good idea?”
“I can’t hole up and hide from him. I have to live my life.”
Kieran nodded and patted his thighs before standing. “In that case, let’s go to Copper Elephant. You should invite Asher.”
Asher. My chest tightened. I wanted to see him again, but I wasn’t sure I wanted to risk getting him tangled up in Phillip’s bullshit. After letting the idea percolate for a moment, I nodded. “Yeah. You’re right.” I pulled out my phone and shot him a quick text.
Micah: Want to meet me and Kieran at Copper Elephant? You can bring Jackson.
His response came quickly.
