AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“It’s good to be out of the hospital for a bit,” Liam says, claiming the empty bar stool next to me, but before he sits down, he points at our glasses. “Can I get the next round?”
“Yes, please,” Jessica says, downing the rest of her beer.
Melissa grabs the empty glasses and stands up. “I’ll help you.”
Liam turns to me, his blue eyes locking on mine. “The usual?”
My mouth forms around the word no, but instead, a cry of pain comes out. I glare at Jessica for kicking me under the table, then turn back to Liam and give him a resigned nod. His face transforms, his eyes shining with joy.
“He’s a good guy,” Jessica tells me when Melissa and Liam are out of earshot.
“I know,” I breathe, then quietly add to myself, “He’s just too human.”
While no law would prevent witches from being with humans, there’s simply too much on the line for us to risk it most of the time. It really needs to be a deep and special kind of love to get us to risk being discovered. As if that’s not scary enough, adding on top of that my twin sister’s overprotectiveness, and there are literally no eligible guys swimming in my dating pool.
When Melissa and Liam return with the beers, I remind myself to drink mine slowly. The lack of sleep and skipping a proper meal is going to bring this third glass straight to my head. Although I’m sure I’m already drunk, I’m not feeling it quite yet because I’ve been sitting this whole time.
Liam doesn’t only sit next to me but even moves his chair closer so our thighs are touching. I squirm and give him an awkward smile, then quickly bring the beer to my lips. It would be impolite to leave before finishing it.
“I hope you don’t mind me saying so, but you look very beautiful,” Liam tells me, leaning way too close for my comfort.
I force a smile, hoping that it doesn’t look too cringe, and make a show of looking down at my clothes. I’m wearing a faded sweater that looks more grey than black, and my most comfortable pair of faded jeans that I didn’t get a chance to wash in two weeks. All in all, I’m disgusting and in desperate need of a shower.
“You’re kind for lying,” I reply, then realize that it sounded a lot like an encouragement for him to give me more compliments.
Liam must’ve noticed it, too, because he smiles and opens his mouth, no doubt taking the invitation to have a conversation with me.
I glance at Melissa and Jessica, my eyes silently begging for help, but they don’t notice. They’re too busy staring in the direction of the bar. I follow their gaze, looking over Liam’s shoulder just as the music stops. Liam’s brows furrow at the interruption, turning toward the commotion as well.
At the bar, two extremely handsome guys in tailored suits seem to be facing off against a small group of off-duty cops. With the music turned off, I notice the one with the man bun and an English accent is trying to dissolve the tension.
“I apologize on behalf of my mate,” the man-bun guy says to the cops. “He’s clearly had one too many. May I buy you a round of drinks?”
“This jacket is limited edition,” the bulkiest of the group snarls, pointing at the wet stain on it. “It cost a fortune.”
“A fortune for you,” the man-bun’s friend snickers. There’s something about him that makes me want to get a closer look. Without realizing it, I’m off my stool and in the middle of the face-off.
“Stay out of it, Dr. Payne,” the angry cop warns me. I don’t wonder how he knows my name, even though I don’t know his.
“Let’s all take a breath, okay?” I say, raising my hands in a mock surrender gesture. “The guys will pay for your drinks, and then they’ll leave.”
“I’m not going anywhere,” the man-bun’s friend insists, violently shaking his head in a drunken motion. He’s leaning heavily against the bar, his elbow soaked with what I hope are beer stains.
“Here.” The man-bun guy hands his card to the bartender. “Everyone’s next round is on me.”
The bar erupts in cheers that even the cops can’t ignore. The man-bun’s generous gesture has gotten him some much-needed support. The angry cop nods before walking away, and a second later, the music’s back on.
“I appreciate the help, but would you mind if I ask you for another favor?” the man-bun guy asks with a heavy English accent, and I nod. “The girls we were with seem to have left. Would you mind taking my mate out and waiting until I settle the tab?”
“Sure,” I tell him, happy to use the opportunity to call it a night.
I take the drunk guy’s arm and put it over my shoulders, hoping that I’ll be able to support his weight. He doesn’t object and walks with me on unsteady and wobbly legs. With our bodies pressed together, I can tell that he’s full of muscles in all the right places. Somehow, we managed to get up the stairs without falling, and I gently set him down to sit on the curb.
“You’re hot,” the guy drawls, slurring the words. “What’s your name?”
“Helia,” I reply, wanting to keep him awake and talking as I quietly assess the state he’s in. “What’s yours?”
“Grayden,” he replies, then runs his fingers through his now messy hair that looks like it’s seen better days. Judging by the way the dark curls stick together, he must be a hair gel fanatic. The fallen curls slightly cover the faded sides, but his short stubble is still well-groomed to perfection. Not even a night of drinking can entirely dishevel his rich persona.
