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“Fair point.”
Doesn’t mean I’ll be putting my hands on her. I’ve always seen Sierra as a little sister, nothing more. Even if I didn’t, I’d never betray Kyle. That’s a line you don’t cross.
She swings to the side, so she’s facing me, and she rests her elbow on the bar. “Care to be honest about why you ignored me? If you’re not interested, I totally get it. Just be up-front with a girl.”
“Don’t think there’s an easy way to say it without pissing you off.” I’m not a dick. I don’t want to hurt the chick’s feelings.
“I’m not easily offended,” she answers around a laugh, “but this little exchange answers my question.” She turns to face the bar and bumps my shoulder with hers. “Don’t worry, Gage man; I don’t take it personally.”
I nod. “Appreciate that.”
“So … what girl don’t you ignore?”
“Huh?” I’m halfway in this conversation with her. Half of me is listening while the other half is thinking about someone else.
“You’re drinking in the corner of a bar, looking like someone ran over your dog. There’s a story, and most of the time, this type of behavior is caused by someone’s relationship problems.” The happiness in her face falls, unmasking that Sierra isn’t as playful as she puts on. “Trust me, I’ve been there.”
“Not a specific problem.Problems,” I correct.
“One of those problems Lauren?”
I shrug. Not about to seek relationship guidance from the youngin’.
She holds up her hand when Maliki looks our way. “Get my friend and me another drink.”
Maliki nods and slides two beers in front of us while shaking his head at Sierra. “It’s weird, serving your young ass here.”
She grins. “I’m legally allowed to drink now, so no more kicking me out of this place and confiscating my fake IDs.”
He laughs. “I’m sure going to miss that weekly occurrence.”
She hands Maliki her credit card and glances over at me when he leaves to help another customer. “You want to talk about it? I’m a woman, so I like to think I’m good at giving advice about women.”
I move my piss-warm beer to the side and grab the fresh one.Here goes nothing.“It’s hard to … rekindle with the woman who fucked you over before.”
She nods. “Understandable. I know what it feels like to love someone and not have him … or her, in your case.”
I ignore her comment, hoping it wasn’t directed at me.
She laughs. “I’m not talking about you. Even though I’ve had a crush on you since you and my brother have been friends, there are other men in this godforsaken town who like to play games. Not to say I wouldn’t forget about them had you come to your senses and hung out with me.”
“I’m the brother’s best friend. Off-limits crush, huh?”
A playful smile hits her lips. “I’m so basic.”
“It sucks that we can’t help who we like.”
“Or, in your case, it sucks that you can’t help who youlove.”
“Little one, I came here to forget my problems.” I gesture to Maliki for another round while finishing off my beer.Fuck it. I deserve to forget for a night. “So, if you want to keep a man company, let’s chat about football, random shit, what you were up to while I was gone.”
She salutes me. “Aye, aye, captain.”
Our drinks arrive, and I sit back in my chair, drowning my thoughts, while she takes over the conversation.
Twenty-Five
Lauren
