“Fuck!”she shouts as she turns facing me. “Eli, I’m going to say this to make myself perfectly fucking clear. You had all the time to explain. I told you everything…”
“Did you?” I want to call her out more, but I stop, just giving her a shitty smirk instead.
“While we were together.” She hisses at me.
“it’s not that simple.”
“Yeah, well, let’s just make it simple then.” She doesn’t finish the statement, just turns around, walking back towards Low, whispering closer to her.
She’s out the door behind the bar in a second.
Low glances at me for a second.
“Fuck it.” I mutter as I hoist myself over the countertop and drop behind the bar. I swear, I see Low give me a smirk and anod as I push the door behind the bar open.
Closing it behind myself, I can feel her emotions from here.
“Drew!”I shout, begging her to turn and talk to me, and pulling my shirt up over my head.
“What?” she finally snaps back, turning around and looking at me. “What the fuck are you doing?” Her eyes rake over where I stand.
“Turn off the overhead lights.”
“What?” She’s rightfully confused.
“Turn off the overhead lights.” She wears her bewilderment across her face. “Look, I know it doesn’t make any sense right now, but just do this. Then, if you don’t want to hear me out and still want me to leave, I will. If you want me to stay as far away as possible, I will.” Or I’ll try at least. “But please just turn off the damn lights and let me explain.”
“Fine.” I doubt she even realizes she rolls her eyes at me. She moves towards me, where the switch sits on the wall, and I have to hold my emotions at bay.
The nerves inside me are all heightened as I watch her lean over, her fingers growing closer to the switch, knowing in mere seconds everything I’ve been trying to keep secret will be out.
Her shirt glows from the black light above us. “Now, what is that supposed to —”
I can tell as soon as she sees it because she abruptly stops.
“How long have you had this?” she gasps as she looks at it.
“10 years.”
“I’ve never seen it before.”
“It’s UV ink...” I trail off because what else and I supposed to say about it?
She steps in close to me, her hand coming up as if she wants to feel it. I have to keep my composure as her fingers graze my skin, and it feels like my entire body is being shocked.
“I don’t understand.” She looks up at me.
“I need to explain.” I beg her. “Please. I need to show you something.”
“I have to finish my shift.” She whispers, trying not to look at me.
“I can wait.”
“Yeah, like that won’t be suspicious.” She laughs, shaking her head.
“Anymore suspicious than me jumping over the bar to come back here?” She looks away, biting her lip. “Anymore suspicious than what they’re gonna see if they play back the cameras, seeing us standing in here right now?”
She smirks, looking down. “We’re not busy; let me see if Low will cover for me.” She moves past me. “You stay here and put your shirt back on.”
