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“Neither does someone afraid to ask her out.”
“Fuck off.” Rex turns around and goes back to his video game.
My father wasn’t happy when he found out Rex had swapped out his political science major to computer science, but I’m proud of him. He has a dorm at Iowa State, but since he only has classes three days a week, he commutes from his apartment. He hasn’t even graduated and already scored an internship at some huge tech company.
Josh twists to look at me. “If you need a make-him-jealousman, I’m your boy.”
Rex isn’t old enough to get into bars yet, but Josh is. They met each other at Iowa State, kicked it off, and became roommates. Josh is cool and flirtatious as hell but means no harm.
“Dude, be careful,” Rex says. “Maliki will kick your ass.”
34
Maliki
Saturdays arethe pub’s busiest nights.
I hoped the bustling crowd would hinder my thoughts of Sierra—and then I remembered her brother’s engagement party isheretonight.
I’ve been scanning the bar all night, unsure if Sierra is coming. I’ve spotted a few of Kyle’s friends and her cousin but no sign of her. She might sit this one out. I frown, hating my bullshit might prevent her from celebrating with her brother.
It’s been a tough week overall and a busy week for my phone, given how many times I’ve called and texted Sierra … and dodged Jessa’s phone calls. It pisses me off how damn quick Sierra threw us away when she’d fought for us for so long.
That’s not me placing all the blame on her.
This is all my fault.
I was stupid, and Sierra is afraid of getting hurt again.
Sierra hasn’t returned to the bar since she walked away from me. Although she’s talked to Liz. How the fuck that happened is beyond me, but Liz knows the schedule of the renovation, and she agreed to take all of Sierra’s shifts. Liz has taken Sierra’s side in our breakup.
I’m numb as I move around the bar, going about my regular routine.
A vodka and Sprite.
Bud Light.
Corona.
A guy from high school mentioning an old memory.
I yell out an order for a basket of hot wings to the kitchen.
Same shit, different shift.
Only Sierra isn’t here.
I got so used to us working together. The bar feels hollow without her.
My back goes straight, and I overpour the drink I’m making when I see her. I don’t move, nearly in shock, when she comes to the bar.
I walk away, ignoring a customer, and meet her, wishing the bar didn’t divide us.
She’s more anxious than she was the first time I busted her here.
“Hi,” she says, her voice nearly a whisper.
She looks damn gorgeous.
