Redesigning Fate (Revive #1) - A. M. Wilson Page 0,52

with a wink. She simply laughs and hops off her stool.

I turn my attention back to Elias as he switches instruments. He slings the guitar strap over his head before strumming and adjusting the knobs on the neck. The confidence and control he exhibits as he walks back over to the microphone excites me. I can’t explain it, only that watching him move with so much power and grace in front of a hundred people is making me hot.

My eyes scan the bodies milling about the tables while he strikes up a song I’m unfamiliar with, and I almost scream when my eyes rest upon the one person I wish I’d never see again. My blood turns icy beneath my skin causing goosebumps to ripple along my flesh.

This time, he’s not alone.

Diagonally across from my position beside the small stage are Travis and Katie. They’re sitting together along one side of a bench seat listening to Elias play. Well, Katie seems to be.

Travis looks as if he’s trying to murder Elias with his eyes. His hand fiddles absentmindedly with the straw poking out from his drink. He looks so cold and calculating.

The music makes my ears thrum as I take in the two of them, mind numbingly shocked to see them together. How does that happen? Either this is the world’s biggest coincidence or a set up.

“Here you go. One Shelby Special.” I take the cocktail, even though I don’t feel like drinking it anymore.

“Thanks. What’s in it?”

“All you need to know is it’s delicious and it main contain tequila,” she replies with a wink. I can’t help but laugh. She may be blunt, but she sure is sweet.

The cocktail feels cool against my heated lips when I take a sip. Jesus. She was not kidding. “Is there anything in here besides tequila? You sure they didn’t just dump some food coloring in here?”

She laughs. “I thought you were looking a little tense. I asked Kimi to make it strong.”

“Kimi must be a good friend, because she sure wasn’t skimpy. Can you hold this quick? I need to make a run to the restroom,” I ask, handing her back my drink.

Knowing Elias is busy on stage and Shelby’s occupied watching him, I take an extra minute in the bathroom to freshen up and grab my cosmetics bag from my purse. My makeup is slightly smudged, and my hair is a bit chaotic. Thankfully, I don’t look too much like a hot mess. I wet a paper towel, swiping it around my eyes and finger comb my hair back into submission, tying it into a ponytail.

I smile to myself while washing my hands, reflecting on each sweet touch and kiss I’ve been the recipient of today. I must have done something right recently because my luck has significantly changed. Needing to share my revelation with someone, I dig through my bag for my phone and text Carly, asking her if we can get together soon for some much needed girl time.

With my appearance and nerves back under control, I turn to leave, clicking the lock and pulling the door open. I start to step out when someone abruptly shoves me back inside, closing and locking the door once again. I am so startled I drop my bag and fumble with picking it up before I realize who is now in the bathroom with me. I look up into the familiarly cold, green eyes of Travis.

The bag long forgotten, I’m about to cry for help when he takes a step closer to me, slapping his hand over my mouth.

“Don’t you dare scream,” he threatens. After a minute long stare down, he must believe I will comply, because he slowly removes his hand from my face.

“I have a restraining order,” I blurt, then shiver as I watch his eyes darken.

“I don’t fucking care.”

“What are you doing here?” It comes out as a violent whisper. I can’t find it in me to raise my voice any louder. My hands start to tremble, and I clench them into fists at my side, trying to remain calm and remember where I am. This is Sin’s bar, which means I have at least two strong men on my side. Travis can’t keep me in here for long before Elias will come looking for me.

At least I hope. He might be too busy performing to notice I’m missing. Shit! Keep it cool.

“I was going to ask you that same question. You’re still hanging around with that scumbag from