Page 105 of Trust Me

Chapter 29

Oliver

Sweat dripped down my brow as I carried a stack of cups to the sink. Dean was hard at work washing the dishes, and I almost apologized for adding more, but I couldn’t say anything through my dry mouth.

He looked at me, releasing the nozzle. Before he could speak, I smiled at him and turned around.

I didn’t know what was wrong with me. What I did know was that I’d been a coward from the day I developed intelligent thought. Daydreaming was easy. It was preferable. Reality had teeth, and I’d spent my whole life trying not to get bitten.

In truth, reality scared the hell out of me.

Grabbing the broom, I marched back into the main part of the bar. There was glass on one side of the room, but as I tried to sweep it up, it kept dragging along the floor, creating too much resistance. With a growl, I dropped to my knees and started picking up the larger pieces.

Then, I heard footsteps.

I recognized them, but I couldn’t read them. Was he angry? Annoyed? Just as confused as I was? Maybe afraid too.

That was my fault. I told him the door was open, then I slammed it anyway.

“Damnit,” I muttered when the glass sliced my thumb.

The footsteps sped up, then Dean was right in front of me. I looked up at him, and my eyes widened when I saw the expression on his face.

“It’s not bad,” I assured him, holding it up.

He took my wrist, and when I resisted, he yanked me to my feet like he had super strength.

“Broku, what the hell?”

“Glass can cut deep without you realizing.”

“Seriously, it’s fine. I’ve patched up quite a few things in my day.”

“I don’t care.”

His voice was gruff, leaving no room for argument. Feeling annoyed, I let him drag me to the other side of the bar. He tapped his palm on the counter, so I sat on it. When he disappeared into the back, I sighed. He wasn’t gone very long, but the walls had already started to feel too close. Once he was in front of me again, I drew in a full breath.

I held out my hand so he could wipe away the blood. With the first aid kit open beside me, this felt like a much bigger deal than it was. But he was so serious, and that protective look was in his eyes, so I cooperated.

“Sorry I almost kissed you,” he said softly. “I’m stupid.”

“You’re not stupid.”

“For some reason, I thought you’d want that.”

“I do.”

He met my gaze, his dark eyes becoming swallowed by his pupils. “But you walked away.”

“It’s . . .”

“Let me guess. Complicated.”

I shrugged the shoulder not connected to my injured hand. “I guess I’m scared.”

“Of me?”

“No,” I said immediately, breathing a laugh at the ridiculousness of it.