look behind me to see Cohen about ten yards behind me, his eyes on the man I’m speaking to.
“Actually, you know, I am a bit concerned. He has been scaring me,” I say to the man, glancing at Cohen again.
“Come with me, I’ll give you a ride.”
I flash a smile in Cohen’s direction as the jogger takes my arm and walks close to me. Angrily, Cohen strides up and growls, “What do you think you’re doing?”
“I don’t want any trouble, I’m just taking her home. She’s concerned that you’ve been following her,” the jogger says, stepping in front of me a little so Cohen has no access to me.
What a gentleman.
“She’s with me,” Cohen growls. “Step the fuck back or I’ll make you.”
“I can’t do that, she’s concerned for her safety, and I take that seriously. Please step back or I’ll call the police.”
“You’ll call fuckin’ no one, because she’s with me. I’m escortin’ her because she’s in danger. You want to be responsible if somethin’ happens to her?”
The jogger glances at me, and I shake my head. “He’s making it up, I don’t know him.”
My voice is soft and scared and the look Cohen gives me could blow me apart right here. The man pulls out his phone and then slowly takes my hand and starts leading me away. “If you follow us, I’ll call the police.”
Cohen lets us go, but when I look back at him to flash him another killer smile, he’s giving me a look that screams he’ll have bloody revenge for me when I return.
When we’re out of sight, the man turns to me and says, “Would you like me to circle back around to my car and give you a ride, or are you okay now?”
“I’m okay, I’ll go over the road to a café. Thank you for all your help, I really appreciate it.”
I turn and jog across the street toward a large bar that’s bustling with people.
I’m causing chaos, I know it.
If only I cared.
I PLACE MY EMPTY GLASS down and wave at the bartender to fill it once more. I’m on my fifth or sixth beer. I don’t know, I stopped counting once I started feeling light-headed and happy. I’ve been in this great little bar for easily two hours and am enjoying every second of it. The atmosphere is fantastic, and the bartender is chatty and friendly, telling me about his life, how long he’s lived here and other great stories.
He puts a fresh beer down, and I give him an appreciative smile. “Thank you, keep them coming.”
“Are you meeting friends?” he asks me, wiping down the counter with a damp cloth.
“No, I’m not planning on it. I’m only here for the night, just enjoying the local attractions.”
He laughs. “Well, make sure you don’t go wandering off by yourself when it gets dark.”
“Yes, boss.”
He winks at me and goes to serve someone else. The stool beside me slides out, and I glance to my left to see Briella sitting down beside me, her face tight with anger. Great, just what I need right now, another fight with someone.
“Briella,” I say, taking a sip of the beer.
“Why did you ditch Cohen?”
She can’t be serious? What are we, third graders?
“Because I’m a grown ass woman and I don’t need a babysitter.”
“Well, what we’re doing is dangerous and he’s only looking out for the club. Once, you would have understood that.”
I’m frustrated. I know I’m not treating her right, but hell, she isn’t treating me right either. My god, she’s being so damned hurtful. I look to her and my expression shows all the rage I’m feeling in my chest. Our eyes meet and, in a hiss, I say, “What is your problem? All you do is continually tell me who I used to be. What about who you used to be, Briella? What about the girl who was supposed to be my friend, that let me disappear without ever once fucking looking for me?”
She looks like I’ve slapped her. She reels backward and her mouth drops open, her features filling with shock. “What?” she whispers.
“You heard me. I was in the hands of a fucking monster, and not one of you, not fucking one of you, bothered to look. You all assumed I left and never wanted to be found again. You were my best fucking friend, you were there that day, you should have known that I’d never fucking run away never to make contact again.”
She’s shaking her head now.
Has she