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My jaw drops.
“Your stuff is hanging in the upstairs bathroom,” he says. He stands up and walks around the kitchen island, opening one of the drawers and pulls out a gun. Raising an eyebrow, I give him a look as he tucks it into the waistband of his baggy jeans.
“Plan on robbing a bank?”
“Protection. Go on sweetheart, go get dressed. I’ll wait here for you.”
Shaking my head I push to a stand and mutter under my breath as I head for the staircase. What a fucking character this guy is. But what did Travis have to do that was so important? If I’m being honest, the feelings of abandonment are creeping in all over again. I’m being unrealistic. I know this. I’m acutely aware of how ridiculous the voice in my head is. I’m also painfully reminded that I’m still technically engaged.
What the fuck am I even doing?
Running my hand across the cotton fabric of a black tank top, I grip the hanger and pull it from the rack.
“So uh, how long until I can go get my things?” I ask, eyeing the shirt up before tossing it into the massive pile that Riot’s carrying in his arms.
Riot shrugs, “No idea sweetheart. Travis said to buy everything you need. So… I’m guessing not anytime soon.”
I let out a sigh, “I’m supposed to go to work tomorrow though. He isn’t keeping me under lock and key forever.” I look at Riot and his eyes avert my gaze. “Right?”
“About that…” he trails.
My stomach sinks, “Are you fucking kidding me? I can’t go to the bar? We are already one down since Echo moved away, and I manage the damn place.”
“No, no. I mean. Yes.”
I raise an eyebrow at him, “Explain?”
“It’s really better if you talk to him about it.”
“I’m asking you,” I say just a little too snippy.
He runs his free hand down his face, and shakes his head, “You’re fine to go back, just, one of us is going to be there. There, I said it.”
“Excuse me?”
Is this guy fucking kidding me?
“You should really discuss this with him Spencer.”
“Aria.”
“Fuck you’re a stubborn shit aren’t you?” he shakes his head.
“The stubbornest,” I snort.
As I pull a plaid skirt from the rack, I see Riot run his fingers through his hair and let out a sigh. “Everything ok?” I ask glancing up at him.
“Yeah, I guess. I just... Can I ask why?”
“Why what?”
Reaching out, he brushes hair from my face, tucking it behind my ear and runs his thumb across my healing black eye.
“Oh, that.” I mutter.
“Yeah.”
“It’s complicated, Riot.”