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“Okay…” She leans into me, pressing her mouth against mine, her tongue licking at its corner before she straightens. When she does, she has my cell in her hand. “Text me when you’ve got some free time,” she says, putting her contact information into my phone before handing it back.
“Absolutely,” I say even though I know I don’t mean it.
Seven
Cari
My favorite thing aboutTess is that she won’t ask what happened with James. She’ll let me come to it on my own, in my own time. But I’m not ready. I’m too angry. Too keyed up to answer without losing my shit. When I saw Declan hand that bat to Patrick, I wanted to grab it and use it to cave James’ face in. I’m still thinking about it. Which isn’t like me at all.
I’m usually the one who goes looking for a reconciliation. Apologizing for things that aren’t my fault. Begging for another chance, even though I’m not the one who should be on my knees. The shift isn’t entirely pleasant but it’s something that makes me feel strong. Ready for whatever life has in store for me. I don’t need James. I don’t need anyone.
“Are you sure you’re okay,” Tess says, glaring at my arm. Bruises are already starting to form. “I can get Con to go grab you some ice.”
“No,” I say. Even though my arm is sore, I don’t want any ice. I like the feeling. It feels like I finally stood up for myself. “But I wouldn’t turn down another vodka soda.”
Even though Declan’s called last call, Tess leans out of our booth to signal Con and he nods, putting his blonde on ice so he can get us another round. I want to ask Tess why she won’t just go up there and get it from Declan herself but I don’t. Because that’s not what Tess and I do. We don’t ask. No matter how much we want to.
My gaze follows him, but it lands on Patrick. He’s sitting at the bar, talking to Declan and the girl he’s been with all night. She’s got her hand on his arm and she’s smiling, gesturing toward the door like she wants him to leave with her. Then she kisses him and I feel something clench inside my gut. Something that feels a lot like jealousy. When she walks off alone, I let out a breath I didn’t know I was holding.
“Well, that’s interesting.”
I turn my head to see Tess looking at me, a slim dark brown arched over warm hazel eyes. Heat collects below my collarbone, and I know my birthmark is practically glowing, it’s so red. Between what happened with James and the embarrassment of getting caught spying on Patrick, it’s a wonder the stupid thing hasn’t burned a hole in chest. “How’s work going?” I ask, making Tess laugh.
“Blah, blah, re-built carburetors. Blah, blah, clutch replacement. Blah, blah, dropped a fuel tank,” she says because she knows I don’t understand much about her job as a mechanic. She knows I don’t really care either. I just want to change the subject. “What about you?” she says, having mercy on me. “When do you start your fancy art job?”
“Monday.” The mention of my new job brings on an excited flush. “I’m even more nervous now that I’ve got the job. I want this so bad and I’m afraid that I’m going to mess it up somehow.”
“Impossible.” I look up to see Patrick stand outside the booth, a friendly smile on his face. Not at all like the guy who threated to put my ex-boyfriend in a coma less than an hour ago. Guinness in one hand and my vodka soda in the other, he hands me my drink and I smile back, sliding across the seat to make room for him. He hasn’t asked me about James yet either. To be honest, I’m not sure what I would say to him, even if he did.
“Is your new boss a guy?” Conner says, sitting down next to Tess, forcing her to scoot across the booth. “Because if he is, all you have to do is wear that dress to work, every day.” He gives me the lopsided grin he uses to charm college girls out of their panties. “Because, seriously—employee of the month. Every month.”
“Oh, my god,” Tess says, jerking her drink out of Conner’s grasp. “You are the biggest asshole I’ve ever met in my life.”
Conner leans into her. “You better be glad about it too,” he says, flicking the tip of her nose with his tongue, making her squeal. “If I wasn’t such an asshole, you’d be panting after me, morning, noon and night.”
She pushes him back and he lets her with a laugh. “You want to know why I’m not panting after you like the rest of your groupies?”
Conner gives her a bland smile. “Because you don’t know a good thing when you see it?”
Tess returns his smile with a sweet look that all but guarantees a verbal slaughter. “Because I’ve seen you naked.”
“We were seven, sweetheart.” Conner leans back in his seat, full of swagger that entirely unfounded. “Things change.”
Despite the exchange, Conner and Tess sound more like brother and sister, giving each other a hard time. Three years ago, I mistook them for a couple. Now, the thought of them together makes me laugh.
“I’m taking off,” Declan appears at the edge of the booth, hands dug into the pocket of his jeans, gaze nailed to his brother’s face. “Jessica wants to go look at wedding venues tomorrow.” He pulls a key from his pocket and tosses it at Conner. “Lock up.”
Something his brother says turns Conner’s easy smile black around its edges. “Sure thing, Dec,” he says, his tone hard. He snatches the key from the air before cocking his head. “Hey, before you go, can you help me convince Tess to come home with me and sit on my face? So I can show her how a Gilroy’s supposed to do it.”
It wasn’t any lewder or more disgusting that anything else he’s ever said but something about his tone sounds off. Angry. Defiant. My gaze instantly flies to Tess’ face but her eyes are glued to the drink in her hand, knuckles white from with the force of her grip. Usually she’d punch him in the arm or smack him upside the head. Right now, she looks like she’s having a hard time just breathing.
Something clicks and I take another look at Declan. He’s got that same punched-in-the-gut look Tess has.
“Jesus, Con,” Patrick says, wiping his hand across his mouth, smothering his words. I feel his knee press into mine, ready to launch himself between the two brothers if it comes to that.
Color drains from Declan’s face a second before his jaw flexes, his gaze pulled for a split second toward Tess before landing it on his little brother. “What did you say?”
“You heard me, fuckstick,” Conner says, his smile flattening out into something dangerous. “At least I’m loyal.”