Page 28 of Clashing
With her gin and tonic made, I slid it across the bar. Mom squinted, first at me, then at Ryker. Uh-oh . I should’ve known there was no hiding from her.
“I’m going to check on the other customers,” I squeaked, my exit less than graceful. She knows.
A busy crowd provided a convenient excuse to avoid both Ryker and my mother.
Until the buzz died down and I had no choice but to return to the register-end of the bar where they both sat.
I refilled Ryker’s glass, and he thanked me every time, but that was all we said to each other.
I hated that I missed him calling me sugar.
As the night slowed, I took a moment to hydrate. The wrong moment, it seemed.
“So.” Mom crossed one leg over the other, her gaze bouncing between Ryker and me. “How long have you two been sleeping together, and does Dan know?”
I spat out my water, and Ryker choked on his scotch.
“We’re not,” I said quickly. She shot me a look. “Anymore.” I ignored the pang in my chest. “And no, Dan doesn’t know. It should most definitely stay that way.”
“What’s wrong with you?” Mom turned a scrutinous eye on Ryker. “My girl isn’t good enough for you?”
I stifled a giggle as Ryker’s mouth fell open, his eyes wide. I’d never seen him scared. Mom maintained eye contact and he opened his mouth several times but couldn’t get anything out.
“Mom, please don’t. We’re friends.”
“Friends.” Mom scoffed. “Good luck with that. You don’t like beautiful women? Is that it?”
“Mom,” I hissed.
“I’m the one who’s not good enough,” Ryker finally spoke.
“Good luck finding any man who’s good enough for her.
” His gaze flicked to me briefly and that, coupled with his words, stunned me.
I blinked and he swiped his glass, emptying the contents in one go.
He slid the glass to me. “Another.” He inclined his head to my mom. “I have a feeling I’ll need it.”
I poured the scotch and tried to sort through what he said. What the hell did that mean? He rejected me .
“Don’t bother him.” I sent Mom a scolding look that had no impact whatsoever. “He hasn’t done anything to me, and he likes to drink alone and in silence. Leave him be.”
Mom put her hands up in surrender and Ryker gave me an almost smile as I passed the glass back to him. “Fine,” Mom conceded. “But remember how nice I was about this when I tell you what I’m about to tell you.”
“Oh no.” I paled. “Don’t say it.”
“I—”
“No, no, no.” I put my hands together in a plea. “Please don’t.”
“—have a boyfriend.”
“For fuck’s sake.” I dropped my elbows to the counter and my head into my hands.
“You don’t know him!”
I glared at her. “He’s trash.”
A pout on her lips, she crossed her arms. “Thanks for the vote of confidence.”
“You swore off men!”
“So did you, and yet, this is most definitely a man,” she said, gesturing to Ryker who snorted and choked on his scotch for the second time.
“Mom,” I whined. “Can’t you be a spinster?”
“What happened to being nice?”
I made a face and straightened out. “Fine. Who is he?”
“His name’s Mike.”
I fished my phone from my back pocket. “Mike what?”
She massaged her temples. “You’re going to internet stalk him?”
“Of course I am. I’m going to cyberstalk the shit out of him and learn all his dirty secrets.”
“You don’t know that he has dirty secrets!”
“Everyone has dirty secrets. You taught me that. Last name.” I tapped the counter. “Now.”
“Michael Frasier.” She dropped her chin in her hand with an overdramatic huff. “He’s a doctor at the hospital I work at.”
I winced. “He’s not your boss, is he?”
“No, give me a little credit. Jeez.” She rolled her eyes and shook her head at Ryker. “Some people’s kids.”
“Don’t give me that. You dated your boss before.”
“You have a job to do.” She jabbed her thumb at a group who entered and sat at a table. “You can go crazy stalker on him later.”
“Fine. But I am going to go crazy stalker on him. In fact, you might as well give me his home address.” I planted my hands on my hips. “‘Cause I’ll find it either way. And if he hurts you, he has me to deal with. Tell him that.”
“God, for all your bitching about Dan being overprotective, you’re just like him.”
Ryker lifted his glass in cheers. “Hear, hear.”
I clicked my tongue and swatted Ryker with the dirty bar rag. He threw his arms up, but I didn’t care.
“I gotta get back to Dan.” Mom slid cash across the counter. “Be nice to your customers but, you know, maybe not too nice.” She winked at both me and Ryker.
And that’s how he ended up choking on his scotch for the third time in one night.
“I’m not like Dan,” I huffed as she walked away.
Ryker cocked his head. “Yeah, you are.” I turned to glare at him, and he stared back unapologetically. So unapologetically, he repeated the words. “You are .”
“Whatever,” I grumbled.
New customers provided an excuse to get away from him while I tried to sort out that interaction.
At least we’d spoken, but I cringed to think that this would be our new normal.
I glanced back at him, surprised to find him already staring.
Except he snapped his head forward the instant our eyes met.
This was a shitty new normal.