My job? Fine.
My house? Fine.
My music? Fine.
I’d only be a hypocrite. A hypocrite with no claim to her, no right to want more.
“Yeah,” I manage, shoving my arms into my jacket sleeves. “Take care, Kenna.”
The headache hammers in time with my pulse. I need air. Space. A second to breathe without feeling like my ribs are a noose.
I push toward the door.
But a figure steps into my path.
Alex.
His smile is all teeth, a lazy stretch that doesn’t reach his eyes. “Heading out?”
My muscles lock. “Yeah. Tell Annie I said goodbye.”
“Annie?” His dark brows lift, a crude laugh slipping out. “That’s interesting. Yeah, I’ll tell her.”
I turn to leave.
But he moves with me, blocking the way. His cologne clings to the stagnant air, his presence a wall I’ll have to scale just to get the fuck out of here.
My eyes cut down to his. I’ve got five inches on him, but he doesn’t seem fazed. “Did you want something?” I ask, tone flat.
His mouth twitches. “Just curious why you picked that song. Felt a little out of place, you know?”
“It was just a song.”
“Right.” His lips press into a thin line. “That all it was for you?”
The headache claws deeper, turning the bar lights into razor wire.
I roll my shoulders, forcing my muscles to loosen. “I don’t know what you want me to say.”
His gaze flicks to the bathroom door, to where Annie hides inside. “I mean, there was just this…” He gestures vaguely. “What do they call it?”
I blink. Waiting.
“Harmony.”
I exhale sharply, shaking my head. “Glad it resonated. Have a good night.”
As I move to step around him, a solid arm slams into my chest, shoving me back against the wall.
The smarmy smile is gone. In its place, something colder.
Alex leans in, voice a low snarl. “Stay. The fuck away. From my girlfriend.”
Our eyes lock.
My blood simmers.
The headache explodes behind my eyes.
