AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I stood and shook Todd’s hand. “I’d like that.”
We exchanged numbers and Todd headed back over to the guys he was here with. I knew a few of them from high school, but we never hung out. Todd had worked during the summers at the ranch and that’s how we had become friends.
“Don’t start any shit, Steed.”
Dragging my eyes back across the dance floor, I caught sight of Paxton and Mike before focusing in on Cord.
“I’m not here to make problems. Trevor was worried and gave me a call. I’m only here to keep my eye on her.”
He lifted a brow. “And if he goes home with her?”
The thought made me sick to my stomach. I didn’t answer. If Paxton did indeed leave with the fucker, I’d let it go. It would kill me, but I couldn’t and wouldn’t force myself on her.
“Then it will be her choice, right?”
Cord’s eyes grew sad. “She might, Steed. They’ve been pretty flirty with each other. Her friend Corina’s been dancing all night with Mitchell, pretty much.”
I didn’t want to look back out in the crowd. The last time I did, Mike had his hand on Paxton’s ass.
Pointing to the shot glass, Cord smiled. “I’m not letting you get drunk.”
Laughing, I replied, “I don’t want to get drunk. Only want one more shot then I’m going to leave.”
His eyes widened in surprise. “What?”
I shrugged. “She survived before I was here, right?”
A small line appeared between his eyes. “Yeah, well, she was never in here when you were gone. I’ve seen her in the bar more now that you’re back than I have in the five years it’s been open.”
“I’m not her babysitter, Cord.”
He pulled his head back and studied me. “So this is how you’re going to handle it, huh?”
“What do you mean?”
“You’re going to give up?”
Sliding my shot glass over to him, I said, “I’ll take one more, then I’m leaving.”
He lifted his hands in surrender. Everyone thought they had all the answers. Well, they fucking didn’t. Paxton still hated me. She wanted nothing to do with me and that was pretty damn clear.
I glanced over my shoulder just in time to see her laughing as Mike spun her around. She didn’t look too torn up to me. I was the one sitting at home reliving our entire conversation over and over. Seeing her cry about gutted me. Hearing the pain and hurt in her voice killed me. And where was she? Out fucking dancing with some douche motherfucker who probably didn’t even know how to jack himself off let alone take care of her needs.
Cord put the shot in front of me. I downed it. He set one more in front of me, and as I picked it up, the hair on the back of my neck lifted.
“Steed?”
Her voice sounded like an angel’s. Putting the shot glass to my lips, I tossed it back, set it on the bar and turned to face her.
Mike stood there with his hand on her back. Paxton took a few steps away from him, breaking the contact.
“Hey, how’s it going?” I glanced over to Mike and gave him a head nod before turning back and facing Cord. I stood, pulled out my wallet and threw some money on the bar.
“I’ll see y’all later!” I called out to a confused Trevor.
When I walked around the barstool, Paxton stepped in front of me, blocking my escape.
“Where…where are you going?”
“Home. Not really in the mood to be out.”
She worried her bottom lip. “Did you just get here?” she asked.
My gaze swung over to Mike. Fucking dick. What in the hell did she possibly see in this guy? City slicker asshole.
“Yeah, enjoy your evening. Mike, good seeing you again.”
Mike nodded, then gave me a fucking smirk that had me balling my fists. I had to take in a deep breath to calm myself down. I really wanted to punch the motherfucker.
Stepping around Paxton, I made my way to the door. Each breath I took felt as if it burned my lungs. My feet were heavy as I made my way out into the cool fall night. How stupid was I to think I could walk back into her life like nothing happened?
I was an idiot for leaving her in the first place.
The lights on my truck flashed off and on as I unlocked it.
“Steed! Wait!”
Turning, my eyes widened as Paxton make her way over to me. She stopped in front of me and flashed that smile I fell in love with so long ago.
“Would you be able to give me a ride home? Corina’s, um, she’s having fun with Mitchell and doesn’t want to leave.”
I glanced back over to the bar entrance and frowned before staring back into those beautiful blue eyes of hers. “You want me to give you a ride home?”
