Page 30 of Clashing

Chapter twenty-two

Friends

Scarlett

D rawing a nude model was as embarrassing as I feared. For me. No one else wore a bright red face and hid behind their easel. Not even two weeks of drawing the naked man helped me stop fidgeting.

Over the course of multiple sessions, I’d managed to finish his lower and upper halves.

The middle I hadn’t gotten to yet, mostly because I’d never drawn a penis, but also, the man was hot as hell.

Not as hot as Ryker but unfortunately, no one would ever measure up.

Regardless, he was attractive with his sculpted body, green-blue eyes, and dirty blond hair. And naked.

Hera’s loop to check on each student’s progress ended with me. She paused behind me. I tensed but forced my gaze to stay forward and my hand to keep moving. I don’t usually let people watch me work.

“You’re very good, Scarlett.” She leaned closer, a mischievous smirk playing on her lips. “You’re missing a vital piece, though.”

“I’m getting there,” I said, blowing a piece of hair out of my face.

“The thing that scares you the most is always the thing you should do first.”

Ugh. She was right, but ugh . “Got any other tips for me?”

“No. You’ve improved greatly already. I’m impressed. Next circle around I hope to see a tip, though.”

Oh my God. I moved to hide my face with my hands but stopped because they were a mess of charcoal. I peeked around my drawing to get a look at the piece I was missing. It wasn’t a bad piece.

My face burned the entire time, but I added that vital part before the session ended. After washing the charcoal off my hands, I hurried to pack my stuff. Hannah made it to my easel before I put away the drawing and gasped.

“Wow.” She stepped closer, mouth hanging open. “That’s amazing!”

“Thanks.” I chewed my lip. “This class is my first time working with an actual nude model.”

“Well, it doesn’t look it.” She waved the model, who was still putting on his pants , over to us. “Collin, come here.”

Oh God. Oh no. I didn’t want him to see it.

“What’s up?” He circled the easel, and his eyebrows shot up. Letting out a low whistle, he nodded to Hannah. “Yours?”

“I wish.” She scoffed. “Scarlett’s.”

The model’s gaze swept over me, and he offered his hand. “I don’t think we’ve met. I’m Collin.”

I accepted his hand. “Scarlett.”

“You’re damn good, Scarlett.” He examined my drawing and stroked his chin. “Damn good,” he repeated, softer.

I shifted my weight. “Thanks.”

“Scarlett, you should go out with us tomorrow!” Hannah said.

“Out?”

“Yeah, we’re going drinking and dancing downtown.” She bounced on her toes. “Come! It’ll be fun.”

“Oh, um . . .” Shit, why did I always freeze like this? Yes, say yes, Scarlett. This is how normal people make friends!

“You should.” Collin tugged his shirt on, and the fabric fell over his abs. “Might make you less nervous to look at me if you get to know me.” He winked as he walked away.

I blinked, then ducked behind my easel. “Oh my God.”

“You’re so cute.” Hannah giggled. “Seriously. Come. I’m new here and desperate to make friends, especially those with common interests. We’ll have a blast. What do you say?”

I know the feeling. I‘d never been good at making friends. This was an opportunity to change that. And occupy more time so I didn’t wallow over Ryker.

“I’ll go. I usually work the bar Saturdays, but you caught me on an off week.”

“Yay!” Hannah clapped. “I think Collin has his eye on you.”

“What?” I recoiled. “I don’t think so. Today’s the first day I talked to him.”

“Yeah, but he’s noticed you.” She wiggled her eyebrows. “He asked me about you.”

I covered my face with my hands and laughed. “He’s probably asking because I’m so weird hiding behind my easel.”

“He doesn’t think it’s weird. He thinks it’s cute. What’s wrong? You don’t like him, or you got a boyfriend?”

“Uh . . .” I picked at my nails, and we wandered outside. “No. No boyfriend.”

“I hit a nerve. Ex?”

“No.” My chin dipped to avoid eye contact.

“It’s this guy who’s friends with my uncle.

I’ve been hooking up with him for a while.

It was supposed to be no strings, but I fucked up.

I caught feelings and he didn’t and . . .

” I lifted a shoulder. “So, that’s that.

I wish I were fully over him, but I’m not.

He’s not the kind of guy you get over easily. ”

“Maybe you need another guy over you to forget about him.” She nudged me. “Plus, if he didn’t have feelings for you, he sounds like an idiot.”

My lips twitched up. “Thanks, Hannah. I don’t know if I’m ready to be with someone else. He really did a number on me.”

“Let’s see how tomorrow goes. If you’re not feeling it, ignore Collin’s flirting because he’ll definitely be flirting. If you are, then good. Rebounds are healthy. Hey, why don’t I pick you up and we get ready at my house together, then we can carpool?”

“That sounds good.”

I wasn’t great at makeup, but maybe she could help me.

“Okay, girl, call you later.” She skipped off to her car.

For the first time in a while, I entered the bar with a smile on my face. I had plans . With potential friends. Actual plans. Like normal people. Typically, I was a social recluse, but I did crave some kind of connection. Having a girl to hang out with is nice.

I had an extra spring in my step as I made my way along the hallway toward where Dan would probably be surrounded by regulars. Unfortunately, I couldn’t help but glance toward a certain someone’s regular seat.

My world halted. My stomach churned.

A beautiful woman in a show-stopping dress stood with Ryker, her hand on his shoulder as she whispered to him. Then he stood. Turned. Followed her toward the exit.

I’m gonna be sick. Right before they stepped outside, he put his hand on her back.

We weren’t together but did he have to flaunt it in front of me like that? He could have any girl at any bar, but he picked her up here ? Where he knew I’d be? I balled my fists and forced back tears as I approached Dan and Mom. I had to be nice for Dan’s sake.

Dan grinned up at me, the most he’d smiled in weeks. “Hey, honey.”

“Hey.” I pecked his cheek. “Having fun?”

“I am.” He glanced at the bar. “Ah, they’re gone already. Was hoping to ask Ryker for a favor.”

Now the universe was baiting me. Don’t ask, Scarlett. Don’t ask. You don’t want to know. No, I didn’t want to know, but I couldn’t help myself. “Do you know who that was?” Maybe I misread the situation. Maybe she was a relative, and I was upset over nothing.

“That was Natalia. Ryker’s married friend.” Dan chuckled, shaking his head. “We won’t see Ryker for the rest of the weekend. Those two are like rabbits anytime she’s in town.”

Like rabbits? Married? “She’s married?” The blood drained from my face. I didn’t see him as that kind of guy.

“Yep.”

And now the spiral plunged deeper. If she were some random girl, sure, but he’d been with her before. They had history. And he was here with her when he knew I could see them.

Mom pursed her lips, but I shook my head. Be nice. Divert. Talk about anything else. “I’m going out tomorrow with Hannah and a couple other people from my class.”

“Oh, good.” Dan patted the seat next to him. “Don’t drink too much.”

“Define too much.” I mostly said it to bait another lecture because I didn’t have it in me to focus for banter.

My gaze drifted to the door. How could he do that to me? He’d been so sweet, then he did that ? We weren’t together but it was insensitive. I told him I had strong feelings. The least he could do was not flaunt his latest fuck right in front of me.

Dan elbowed me. “Scarlett.”

“What?” I snapped my gaze to him.

“I asked where you’re going tomorrow.”

“Oh, uh, some club I don’t know. Hannah’s picking me up and we're going to her house early to get ready, then we’re riding together.”

A regular approached, and I mentally thanked them for stealing Dan’s attention.

My eyes stung, but I breathed through it.

Finding a different focus backfired. I caught a glimpse of Francis’s face, which made my stomach sink.

Pity filled his eyes. As if that didn’t hurt plenty, Tammy stopped by with a double shot of whiskey and gave me the same piteous look along with a squeeze on my shoulder.

Apparently, she knew too. They all knew, and I was an idiot.