Page 24

She squats down on the bar and stares at me while everyone’s eyes are wide and glued to us. And I’m sure her ass is hanging out, and she does not care.

I know I’ll have to quit and start over at another bar in another city tomorrow. Starting over is my only option. That’s why I’m really pissed. I like it here. I like Fiona.

“How’s that working out for you? Looks so cool. Classy guys.” She looks up at Boomer, who is now tailing her wherever she moves around the bar. “No offense, you’re hot and there was a time, but now you’re not what either of us needs.”

Boomer looks at her, then back to me, “She your ex?”

“In a way,” Tabi says. “I’m the reigning queen of running away and hiding, and she’ll lose this game if you want to go toe to toe.”

“Who found me?” I ask.

“Brick. He’s got lots of guys around, sent them a month ago. But it took a minute. He didn’t tell anyone else, that includes your cousins. His wife. He kept this from her. I told him to wait until I could confirm it was you, so we didn’t break her heart with hope. You left a bit of a mess at home.”

“Where the hell does Bax think you are?” I spit my words at her and it’s like I’m fake. I don’t know how to be this bitchy or as strong as Tabi.

She sits back on a stool, stretching her arms over her head. “I told him I was at Patrick and Sabrina’s wedding, and he wasn’t invited.”

“Who the hell are they? You don’t have any friends outside of Sonoma.”

“Fuck you. They’re the airport people from Chicago. Whatever. People like me.”

I love putting her on the spot. I snark at her and say, “Stay here.” I’m totally fucking going out the backdoor. She may know where I work, but I can be gone from here and start somewhere new in a fucking heartbeat. I turn around and she pulls the back of my corset and if I move, everyone is getting a show.

She leaps over the bar and is at my back. She whispers in my ear while holding the ribbons of my corset. “Look, I’m your softest landing, because everyone else, besides worried, is done with all this shit and can’t wait to lecture you or get you locked away for some help. But I know what it’s like to be underrated and counted out. And I know what hiding does to you. It eats you up, so tell me what you think you’re fucking doing here?”

I wish my voice was as bold as hers. Even though I know her motto is to fake it until you make it, she’s still brave. “It’s the only place for me, nowhere, anonymous, a fucking void. I have to be this. I can’t be that. There’s nothing left of that.” I scream so my whole body doesn’t break down into a sobbing heap, yet again. I will the steel and fire into my veins and spine.

She kisses me on the cheek and releases my corset. Then reaches into the well and pulls a bottle of vodka. She pops the pour top and chugs from the bottle. “Great. Then let’s be this.” She walks past me into the bar with the bottle. I shove a wad of cash into the register. Bear nods at me.

“I’m sorry,” I whisper to him. Bear wraps his arms around me like he knows my life will change after this.

“Tis an honor and a pleasure, Wonder Woman.” I grin.

I tip my head to him, “You too, Deadpool. Thank you.”

“Nope. None of that shit. Remember, no one here is supposed to care.” I place a hand on Skinny Pete and squeeze his forearm, then wink at Ralph.

Tabi calls for me and Poppy rises as much as I want her to stay at bay. I wipe the tears from my eyes before they become something. I’ll miss Fi desperately. I stand close to this woman I’ve known my entire life, and she can feel my defiance. I’m not going back, but I know I can’t stay. I’m looking forward to where this night will lead, even though Tabi has no idea I’m not going back.

“Come on, we have seedier places than this to explore. There’s more fun to be had. And do we need to hit a dispensary, or have you moved into some scarier shit?” She flips a couple hundreds on the bar, takes another long pull of vodka and turns to me as she hits the door.

She puts a hand on Boomer’s substantial biceps and says, “I got her. But thanks.” She squeezes again. “You’re huge.”

His low voice reverberates, “Kindly let go.”

Tabi lifts her hand off and says to me, “Coming? Are you too fucking chicken? Is this for show or is this you? Also, this guy hates me.”

I look at her. “That’s because he likes me. And you’re obnoxious.” She lightly taps his cheek.

“It’s a shame I don’t have more time to win you over. You and I are kindred. I feel it.”

“I doubt it, but you go on with yourself,” Boomer says.

I laugh and look at Tabi. “Don’t you have four fucking children to take care of?”

She drinks again. “What’s your point? This---” She points down. “---shit I know how to do. Or are you forgetting who you’re talking to? Just because you forgot to do this before doesn’t mean we skip it now or I forget how a night like this should unfold.” She waggles her eyebrows. “I’ll probably just not work on getting laid in a weird place since I’m happily married and shit, but we can start your ‘Fuck It’ list tonight if you’d like.”

Boomer says to her, “Should we be calling DCF or is there someone to call?”