and do that?” Nothing is going right tonight. “I thought we were friends.”
“I got here a little early and it’s so cold outside, I didn’t want to wait so I came in. Figured you two wouldn’t see me considering how packed it is in here.” She shrugs. “I found Alex right away, all by herself. Then I saw you with some hot chick slobbering all over your face. Needless to say, I figured your potential game with Alex was ruined.”
“Shit,” I mutter, running a hand through my hair. “Where is she?”
“Talking with some guy.” She nods in the direction of where I can only assume Alexandria is standing. I whip my head to the right, spotting her immediately. Damn, she’s beautiful. She’s talking animatedly with some short dude, and when she tips her head back and laughs, I feel a pang in my chest.
Somewhere in the vicinity of my ice cold heart.
Fuck. I’d love to hear that laugh, see that smile that’s curving her lips aimed right at me.
“Don’t even think about it,” Kelli murmurs, reaching out to grab my arm and stop me from leaving. “She’s mad. You let that girl maul you.”
“I had no choice. That chick attacked me,” I tell her, yanking my arm out of her grip. “I need to go apologize.”
“You? Apologize?” Kelli shakes her head. “You don’t do that.”
“There’s a first time for everything,” I mutter as I walk away from her, headed straight toward where Alexandria is chatting up that dude. He’s barely taller than her, with close-cropped dark hair and dark eyes, a big ass smile on his face that I can’t blame him for because hell yeah. He’s talking to the hottest girl in the entire bar. Of course, he’s grinning from ear to ear. I’d be doing the same damn thing.
“Hey,” I say as I stop by Alexandria’s side. She sends me a withering glance before returning her attention to the short dude, like I’m some sort of irritating bug buzzing in her ear. “You left me.”
Short dude watches me with curiosity but otherwise doesn’t say a word.
“You’re the one who was making out with another girl.” She smiles but it’s forced. No teeth showing either, just a minor lift of her lips. “Where’s my drink?”
“I’ll get you a drink,” short dude pipes up, that grin on his face never fading. He turns it on me and sticks out his hand. “Hey. I’m Steven.”
“Tristan.” I shake his hand briefly. Friendly enough guy, though I hate him for hogging all of Alexandria’s attention. “You still want something?” I ask her. I want to tell her I’m sorry about Layla but not with Steven here.
Alexandria shakes her head, offering Steven a real smile, with teeth and everything. “I think Steven has me covered.” She doesn’t bother looking my way.
Anger rumbles in my veins and I take a deep breath. Figures. I blow off a deep throat offer for this girl and she’s kicking me to the curb. Women. They’re all the same.
Fucking annoying.
“Whatever,” I tell her before I turn and walk away. I refuse to look back. If she wants me, she can come running. Though I doubt she will. I’ve pissed her off twice. I bet she won’t give me a third chance.
“Nice meeting you,” Steven calls after me.
I’m tempted to flip him off but I keep myself in check. He’s just being nice and I have no idea what that’s like. I’m the farthest thing from nice. Shep tolerates me because we’re related and Gabe sticks close because he and Shep are best friends. I’m the third wheel most of the time.
It’s worse now that they have girlfriends. Jesus, I can hardly stand to be around them. I can hardly stand to be around anyone.
The only person that intrigues me is Alexandria. And she acts like she hates me most of the time.
I can’t win.
Deciding I need to go lick my wounds by myself, I push through the front door of the bar and head out into the cold night, lighting another cigarette as I stalk toward my car. I don’t need this shit.
I don’t need anyone.
I walk into the tiny office of the mini storage place and smile at Betty, who’s on the phone listing the various storage unit sizes and monthly rates. She runs the place along with her husband Daryl and they’re always kind to me. Betty offers me gentle advice, like noting the best times when I should stop by here and dig through my stuff.
“Nighttime