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I chuckle. “Is that right?”
“Yep,” she smiles. “I’m serious. Lay it on me.”
Honestly, I don’t even know where to start. I can’t tell her about what’s been going on, so I guess I’ll just stick with safer water.
“Well, my mom is dying of cancer,” I say. “So, that sucks.”
She looks at me with nothing but sympathy in her eyes. “Hayes, that’s horrible. I’m so sorry.”
I shrug. “It’s not your fault. Just been dealing with a lot, I guess.”
Her bottom lip juts out as she pouts. “Isn’t Laiken taking care of you? You look like you could use a hug.”
Yeah, I’m definitely not about to go down that road.“She is. But it’s hard. There’s only so much you can do, you know?”
“Definitely,” she says, nodding. “God, I feel so terrible for you. I wish there was something I could do.”
“I appreciate it. But really, I’m fine.”
Riley takes a step toward me. “Can I at least give you a hug? You really do look like you need one.”
I huff out a laugh. “Honestly, I’m not really the hugging type.”
“Oh yeah?” She teases. “Then what type are you?”
In all the time that I’ve known her, I’ve never seen her get this ballsy. She’s not exactly subtle, but she’s never come onto me so strongly. And when the door opens and Laiken walks in, I know she’s standing a little too close to appear innocent.
“What the fuck are you doing?” Laiken growls. “Get away from him.”
Riley rolls her eyes as she steps back. “I was being there for him. You know, like a friend.”
“He’s not yourfriend. He’s your boss. And it would do you some good to remember that.”
“Lai,” I say, trying to stop her.
But she levels me with a single look. “Don’t you dare defend her right now.”
The fucking hostility.“I’m not defending her, but don’t you think you’re overreacting a little? We were just talking.”
“Just talking, my ass,” she snaps. “She’s been waiting for months to get her grimy little hands on you. I just didn’t think she’d actually try, knowing you’re married.”
Riley scoffs. “Married. Right. Because all wives leave their husbands in the middle of the night and disappear. Some fucking marriage.”
“Excuse me?” Laiken shouts, taking a step closer to her. “You don’t know the first thing about meormy marriage.”
“I know you don’t deserve him,” she says. “I don’t know why he even gives you the time of day, if I’m honest. As far as I’m concerned, you’re just an ex who doesn’t know when to let go.”
Laiken turns an angry shade of red, and before I can even think to stop her, she lunges at Riley. Her hand grips her hair and she pulls her down to the ground. They’re both a swinging at each other, and Laiken is scratching the hell out of Riley’s arms. But Riley is putting up a good fight.
“Fucking knock it off!” I bellow, but neither of them are listening.
It isn’t until Laiken gets on top of Riley and swings with everything she has that I’m able to get a handle on her. I wrap my arms around her waist and lift her off, but she keeps a tight grip on Riley’s hair.
“Laiken, let go!” I shout.
She rips some of Riley’s hair out, and that finally frees my bartender as she falls to the floor, glaring up at Laiken. I spin around and all but toss her away.
“What the fuck is wrong with you?” I yell.
