AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“I am dealing with what’s happening.”
“Slamming that shit ain’t dealin’. It’s hidin’.”
I reach out for the bottle, but he pulls back. “Give me that back right now.”
“No.”
“If you know what’s good for you, you will. Give. That. Back. To—”
I’m interrupted by another knock. We both turn toward the door, and Tate sticks out his hand. “Don’t fuckin’ move.”
Seriously?“Stop telling me what to do.”
Storming over to the door, he pulls a gun from the back of his jeans, shocking me. When the hell did he getthatthing? He sets himself, or whatever bad boys do to prepare to shoot, then rips open my door. Sadly—well, for her—my eighty-year-old neighbor is on the other side.
“Oh, heavens! Don’t shoot me!”
“Jesus Christ,” I mutter. I snag the bottle he ditched and walk to the door. “Move over. Hey, Mrs. Carlson. What can I do for ya?” Wow, that tequila works fast.
“I saw all the commotion. I wanted to make sure you were okay.”
“I sure am. Thanks to this guy.”
“Oh. Who areyou?”
“Him?” I slap Tate in the chest with my bottle. “Bruce Wayne. You know,” I lean in and whisper, “Batman.” She looks confused. “He came to help rescue my bottle. I found it. Now, I’m going to drink it.”
“Oh…”
“If you’re missing anything, I’m actually done with him, so he’s all yours.” I try to push Tate out of my apartment. Instead, he removes me from the doorway and slams the door in poor Mrs. Carlson’s face. “That wassorude.”
“Knock it the fuck off, Mindy.”
“Youknock it off.”
His jaw tightens. He reaches for the bottle again, but I’m more prepared and tuck it against my chest. Then I take off down the hall. I only get a foot, maybe two, before I’m pulled back into his chest, his lips against my earlobe. “You’re acting like a fuckin’ child right now. I get you’re scared, you have a right to be, but knock this shit off.”
I clench my eyes shut, fighting back tears. I hate that I am. That someone has made me feel unsafe. I hate this loss of control in my life. And I hate that he’s right. I want to fight him. Tell him to go to hell. Leave because I don’t need him here. But I do. Iamscared. And I feel like I’m spiraling. “Let me go,” I say with less bite.
“I’ve got you. I’m not going to let anyone hurt you.”
I chew on my bottom lip, refusing to allow my emotions to get the best of me. “Let me go. I have to get ready for work.”
“You serious?”
“Let. Me. Go.”
He releases me, and I turn to him, unshed tears glistening in my eyes. “Stalker or not, I have bills to pay. A job to keep. I can’t hide. I don’t have that luxury. So, yes, I’m going to work. You can tag along if you’d like. But that’s how it’s going to be.” I turn before they fall and lock myself in my room to get ready.
Chapter six
Mindy
If silence is going to be a thing between us, he should really let me play music while he drives. My tequila buzz is long gone, and this silent treatment is lame. We pull up to Bev’s, and I get out. Not bothering to wait for him, I head inside and start my prep, regretting I told Clay Tate’s allowed in.
I miss when Fay worked here. It made the nights go by faster. And I had a drinking buddy. Meredith doesn’t drink, and Buzz doesn’t appreciate shots like I do. It’s karaoke night, so the bar fills up fast. Happy Hour is slammed. I barely have a chance to glance up from the tap until after seven and find myself peering around the bar for Tate, hating myself for doing it. I spot him in the corner, leaning against the wall by the pool table, his eyes on me. I quickly look away and wave at no one in particular so he thinks I’m looking for someone else. I fill another round of pitchers for a group of college kids, slide them across the bar, and shove the cash into the register.
“Hey, I know you.”
