I downed the rest of my drink in one and set the glass on the counter of the bar. Vanessa had serious issues, dragging me down here, trying to get me to flirt with the homewrecker, then demanding to leave as soon as I had a drink.
What was her problem?
“Vanessa,” I hollered after her, having to jog to catch up with her. I turned back to the bar to see only one bartender watching us leave, and I wondered where Cami was.
She was a stripper, so maybe she’d gone to change. I didn’t have Victor down as a stripper kinda guy, but then I never thought he’d cheat on his wife either. You think you know your best friend…
Outside, the damn cold air nipped at me, and I saw Vanessa waiting by my truck, hugging herself.
“Where’s the fire?” I called out to her, searching for my keys.
“Just unlock the truck, Enzo.”
I rolled my eyes and unlocked it, watching as she jumped in and clipped her belt on.
“Why are you so eager to go?” I asked her as I twisted the key in the ignition. “You wanted to come and check her out, then leave? That’s not like you at all.”
“Just drive.” Vanessa stared out the window, refusing to look at me.
I studied her, trying to work out what had happened, because I knew Vanessa—and somethinghadhappened. “Okay, but?—”
“Enzo,” Vanessa’s voice cracked a little, lowering when she said, “Please, just go.”
I stared at her, unsure what to do with this softer version of the firecracker I’d known since my teen years. The affect her vulnerability had on me was insane, like she spoke to my soul. I didn’t question it—I hit the gas and got the fuck out of Dodge. The night sky had appeared while we’d been in the bar, and I relaxed a little as the open road took us further away from it.
We’d been driving for half an hour before she said anything.
“I did a thing,” she said quietly, and I gripped the steering wheel tight.
I had no idea what she was going to tell me, but I knew it wouldn’t be a little thing. When it came to Vanessa, all bets were off. I glanced at her, her olive skin highlighted by the moonlight, her full lips pursed together as she gazed at me.
So beautiful.
Not now, Enzo.
“Do I want to know?” I asked through gritted teeth.
“Probably not.”
“But you’re going to tell me anyway, right?” I sighed, glancing at her.
“I may have hurt her alittle.”
I snapped my neck to look at her, my eyes wide. She couldn’t be fucking serious. The car swerved as I stared at her, forgetting about the road.
“Hurt her? Who? Cami?” My voice rose with panic at the end of my sentence, and Vanessa nodded, her face devoid of emotion.
“I slammed her head into the hand dryer. She won’t know it was me.”
Slammed…Fucking hell, this woman was crazy. I pulled the car over, cutting the engine so I could focus on her.
The silence throbbed between us.
“Is she even alive, for fuck’s sake?” I snapped at her, furious I hadn’t noticed Cami leaving the bar area. Vanessa must’ve seen her and run after her.
Fuck!
“I fucking hope not, but yes, I’m sure she is.”
