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“Can we just… backpedal?”
“What do you mean?”
“He beat up Liam?”
She snorts, taking another bite of her dinner, “Sure did baby. Liam was drunk, falling over himself. You and Echo were outside talking. Declan said you all needed a few minutes. He said… well, he said something that I’m not gonna repeat baby. But that man…”
“Travis?”
“Travis. Yeah. Slammed him down on the bar-top by his neck, damn near killed him with his bare hands before Declan pulled him off.”
I open my mouth, but no words come out, so I close my mouth, only for my lips to fall apart again. I’m sure I look like a damn fish. I feel like I need to say something, but I don’t even know what to say.
Travis did what?
That night flashes through my head again, seeing him for the first time in so many years. Some part of me ached for him to take me away right then and there. I find myself wondering if the events that unfolded had never unfolded, what would have happened?
If I hadn’t been taken that night.
If Echo had calmed me down, and I walked back into that bar to face him.
If Liam had never started hitting me, and I wasn’t so afraid.
Would I have ran with him?
I think I would have.
After dinner, I dropped off the meals that Mimi wrapped up, to the bar for Rico and Cole, then headed out on my own.
I drove my happy ass to the other side of Havok Hills, where I knew no one would look for me, and hit up one of the all-night clubs. I don’t need the lectures tonight. I don’t need the sad eyes, pitying glances, or offers to help me escape. They don’t understand. None of them do.
Mimi meant well, but the things she said to me muddied my head worse than it already was. I’m dabbling in the 'what ifs' again. Dabbling in the 'what could have beens' again, and it’s not a healthy place for me to be. It’s a place that drags me under, deep into an overwhelmingly dark place. Deep into that place full of infinite sadness and regret.
I’m engaged and that’s that. There’s no way out. Nothing besides death. Mine or his.
What would I do, let Travis kill him?
Besides, I love Liam. Right?
Snorting at the thought, toss my head back, and swallow another shot of tequila as I shake my ass to the music.
My body still aches, but the liquor slowly helps to numb the pain. Numb everything really. Flagging down the bartender, I order another shot, and turn as someone bumps into me, spilling beer on my boots.
Shaking my foot, I groan, “Come on man!”
“Shit, I’m so sorry!” he exclaims. “Here, let me help.”
He reaches across the bar grabbing a rag, and quickly bends down, helping by wiping my boots off.
“I-it’s ok. Thanks,” I sigh and take a step back. Turning around I see the shot already sitting in front of me. I guess I missed the bartender in all of the ruckus. Slamming it back, I suck in a sharp breath and revel in the way it burns the back of my throat.
Whipping my hair to the side, I sway my hips side to side as I back up and walk smack into a rock hard body. Hands drift down my sides and it starts off so innocent. We grind to the beat and my heart pulsates to the rhythm of the music. Enjoying myself, I let the music take over for a couple of songs, dancing in the dark against this stranger who I won’t bother to turn around and look at. I want him to remain faceless.
The song transitions again, and I feel fingertips toying with the waistband of my jeans, so I slap the hand away and keep dancing.
As my hips gyrate, I notice the room starts to spin, and I shake my head, blinking my eyes. I know I’ve had a few drinks, but I’m pretty fucking tolerant and the room is going in and out. Everything blurs, so I rub my eyes this time, and it all clears up, only to go right back to blurring up again. I’m beginning to feel a little light headed, but I brush it off.
Maybe I did have a few too many. Guess I’m getting an Uber tonight.