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Amonth or so ago.BeforeShaearrived.
Sheknows.Ican see it in the arch of her brows and the uptick of her mouth.Fuck.MaybeIhaven’t been as good at hiding my feelings asIthought.Theidea tightens a screw in my chest, and my gaze flickers toBeauagain.
Ido my best to play it off with a casual, flirty grin. “Maybe.Ormaybe our time hasn’t come around yet.”
Isabelleshakes her head. “Amonth ago, maybe we could have been a thing, butIdoubt it would have lasted much longer than that.Andcan you look me in the eye now and tell me that in a month’s time, or a year’s time, there could be something between us?”
Iknow what she’s suggesting.ThatwhatI’mfeeling forShaehas changed things for me.Maybepermanently.ButIrefuse to believe it.Ican’tbelieve it.SoIshrug. “Maybewe’ll just have to wait and see.”
Sherolls her eyes and muttersmenunder her breath.Atleast she doesn’t seem hurt or upset.Butthen why would she?Shehas just as many options asIdo.Andshe’s certainly not so into me that my rejection bothers her.
“Comeon,” she says. “Let’sget a drink.”
Wehead to the bar, andIorder water for me and a champagne forIsabelle.Weturn and look out at the crowd as we drink.
Beauwanders over, his attention fixed on his phone, a half smile on his face.
“Whatare you looking at?”Iask.
“Shaesent a photo.”Heholds it up for me, butItake it from him to have a closer look.It’sa selfie, with the camera held high to get all the girls at the table in the shot.ButIcan’t focus on anything but the person standing next toShae.He’sonly half in the frame, but his arm is resting on the back of her chair.Shae’sgot a smile on her face, and there’s a half-drunk cocktail on the table in front of her.
Myjaw clenches andIhandBeauhis phone back. “Lookslike she’s having a good time.”Iavoid making eye contact withIsabelle, not wanting to see her thoughts written on her face.
Beaulooks at the photo again, then slides his phone into his back pocket. “Hey, look, man.I’mgoing to take off.Coco’sonly in town for tonight, so we’re going to head back to her hotel.”
Acrossthe room,Coco’sstanding by the door with her arms crossed and one hip cocked, obviously waiting for him.
“IguessI’llsee you tomorrow, then.”
“Youstaying for a while?”Heglances atIsabelle, his brow raised, a smirk pulling at his lips.
“Imight head out soon,”Isay, butI’velost interest in the conversation, my mind going back to that photo ofShae.Isshe drunk?Wasthat guy hitting on her?MaybeIshould go make sure she’s okay.
AfterBeauleaves,Ihang around for another few minutes before saying goodbye toIsabelle.She’sflirting with another guy and merely gives me a kiss on the cheek.
Luckily,Ihaven’t had much to drink tonight, soItake my car, plug the name of the barShaetold me she was going to into myGPS, and head in that direction.
Ittakes about thirty minutes to drive there, and with every passing minute, my tension rises, wondering whatI’mgoing to see whenIget there.Itell myselfI’lljust check on her, see if she wants a lift home, but my hard grip on the steering wheel gives away the lieI’mtelling myself.
AfterIpull up outside the bar,Itell the valet not to park my car sinceIdon’t plan to be long.Hiseyes widen in recognition, but he only nods and says, “Yes, sir.”
Idon’t have any security with me, andIrun the risk of being recognized and having to deal with fans, butI’mhoping if the light is low andIkeep my head down,Ican get in and out without being noticed.
Iwalk in and quickly scan the space.WhenIspotCassieandLexie,Ihead over to their table, keeping an eye out forShae.SummerandEdenare at the bar, butIdon’t see her.Tensiongrips the back of my neck.
Cassie’sbrows shoot up whenIget to the table. “Whatare you doing here?Shaesaid you andBeauwere at a party.Withmodels.”Shegiggles, apparently a little tipsy, but it makes me wonder whatShaesaid to her.
Iglance atLexie, who appears to be hiding a smile, then focus back onCassie. “Yeah,Ididn’t want to hang around long.ThoughtImight see ifShaewants a lift home sinceIwas in the area.”Totallie, butIdoubtCassieknows details about the party.Shedoesn’t seem suspicious anyway.
“Hmm,I’mnot sure if she’s ready to go home.”Shepeers over at the small dance floor off to the side of the bar.
Ifollow her line of sight, craning a bit, and finally spotShae.
She’sdancing with a guy—theguy.Irecognize the shirt he’s wearing—and he has his hands on her hips.Shaestumbles a little, and the guy grins and pulls her closer.Isshe drunk?Ishe taking advantage of her?Redsplashes across my vision, and without another word to the two women,I’mstalking across the bar and onto the dance floor.WhenIreach them,Iwrap my finger aroundShae’sarm. “I’mtaking you home.”
Hereyes widen with shock.They’reclear, not hazed with alcohol the wayIthought they might be. “Devon?Whatare you doing here?”
Theguy she’s dancing with is staring at me.Recognitionflares across his face, and he snaps his fingers and points at me. “DevonScofield.Crossfire.Man, you guys are awesome.”
