I want to know all about it. Who gets to call her that? Are we close enough for me to use it? Would I even want to?
With a name like Cage, I’ve never really had a nickname, at least not a shortened version of my name. I’ve never been a big fan of them. But maybe I want to use hers.
“I’ll just have a Coke,” she says. “Straight-up with a lime.” When she laughs, Floyd winks at her and goes about pouring her drink. And I breathe a little easier. If she’s not drinking tequila tonight, maybe she’s here for other reasons that have nothing to do with her asshole ex.
I watch from the corner of my eye as Tempest drinks her Coke and tries not to look at me. She glances my way then quickly looks in another direction while biting down on her bottom lip. It’s completely adorable, but I force myself not to react. It’s obvious she has something on her mind but is stalling, so I’ll wait until she’s ready to share, enjoying just being near her in the meantime.
She’s on her second Coke, straight-up with a lime when she finally turns to face me.
“Yes, Tempest?” I ask, managing to keep my eyes on the patrons in hopes that she’ll work up the confidence to say whatever she came to say. All the while praying it has nothing to do with the fact I almost kissed her the other night. I’m hoping we can just let that slide. Honest mistake. Beautiful girl. Close contact. These things happen. “Something you’d like to say?”
“I’m sorry for the other night,” she spits out and my heart drops.
This catches me off guard. If anyone needs to apologize for that night, it’s me.
“Sorry for what?” I ask.
“For leaving so... abruptly. It was very rude of me to walk out like that. I didn’t even say goodbye… or thank you. After you took time out of your day to help me. I swear, I have better manners than that. And I promise I’ll be better next time.”
“It’s fine, really,” I assure her. Turning to see the earnest look in her eyes. She means it. “I’m just glad to hear there’ll be a next time. I was afraid I’d scared you off.”
“Definitely not,” she says with a nervous smile that she covers quickly by taking another sip of her Coke. “I really enjoyed it and I slept like a freaking baby that night. Who knew spending the day with you, getting all worked up and sweaty, would end up being so relaxing?”
Her blush is immediate and the laugh I bark out serves a multitude of purposes. One, I need to diffuse the situation before she runs off again. Two, it was funny as shit. And three, if I don’t distract myself right now, I’ll only be thinking of other ways to make Tempest sweaty.
Meanwhile, she now has her head in her hands and is mumbling about not going out in public ever again. “Relax,” I whisper, placing my hand on her shoulder, I give her what I hope is a comforting, albeit friendly squeeze, while trying to control my laughter. “You can’t stay locked inside forever, Tempest. Life would be too boring.”
She picks up her head and looks at me but doesn’t look convinced. “You’re really too nice, Cage. Thank you for being such a good friend.”
There’s that damn word again. Friends.
“We are friends, right?” she continues.
“Of course,” I reply.
“Okay, then I have a favor to ask.”
The nervous look is back and I don’t like it, so I sit next to her on one of the barstools, hoping my closeness helps her relax. “What’s up?”
She takes a deep breath, pushing some hair behind her ear. “You can say no,” she starts, worry creasing her forehead.
“Just tell me… spit it out.”
“Okay, here goes… this year is my ten year class reunion. I don’t know if you know what it’s like living in a small town, I’m guessing you don’t, but see, here’s the deal, if I don’t go, everyone is going to talk about me… well, they’re going to talk about me regardless, but if I don’t go, they’ll assume I’m weak and pathetic and that Asher ruined me. And he’ll get to walk around like the king he was back in high school, with his brand new wife on his arm. And well, I can’t let that happen. Which means, I have to go, but I can’t go alone… that would be even