Page 13 of The Loneliest Number (The Thirst Trap #3)

Chapter twelve

Abby

I ’m still mulling it all over a few days later. It’s been going around in circles in my head.

I don’t know what to think. What to feel.

What does it matter that he wasn’t honest with me?

It’s not like we’re in a relationship. But it hurts.

Hurts to know he’s not been open with me.

I have to give an unhumorous laugh because, how for one second can I expect him to be open and honest with me when he didn’t know my name until the other day?

He still doesn’t know where I work or live.

Fuck. Why does this even matter? I can walk away now. None of it matters.

But we had fun. And there’s a part of me that wants to spend more time with him. This all feels so new to me, although I have to admit that I want to see where it goes.

Before I drive myself insane with all the back and forth, I pull my phone out of my pocket as I walk to the bar for my afternoon shift and shoot off a text to the Smut Club group:

Me:

Hey, any chance of an impromptu catch up tonight? I need a distraction and have an AITA question.

I really need to know if I’m the arsehole in this situation and I can trust my friends to be honest with me. Cassidy’s reply is fast.

Cassidy:

I can make it. I was planning to come to the bar tonight with Jack. Are you working?

Me:

Yeah, but Tom said I can finish early – around 8 pm if it’s not busy.

Mel:

I can make it. Be good to get out the house. What makes you an arsehole?

Me:

Let me get my head straight, and I’ll try to explain later.

There’s no reply from Laura, but at this time of the day, she’s likely to be deep into inking someone’s skin. Hopefully, I’ll hear from her later.

With a bit of luck, I’ll be able to round them all up. I could really use some external input on this whole Cameron situation.

We decide to stay at the bar. If I’m not working, I may as well put some money in the till. Carl stays ten minutes later to make us all a snack platter to share. I’m munching on onion rings and drinking a glass of Pinot Grigio when Laura and Mel walk in together.

I look Mel over, spotting the darker smudges under her eyes and realising her spark is still missing. She’s engrossed in whatever Laura is saying to her.

“I’m worried about her,” Cassidy says quietly from beside me as she chows down on a mozzarella stick.

“Who? Mel?”

“Yeah, she’s keeping busy, but I can still see the sadness in her eyes. Do you know what I mean?”

They spot us and wave, doing the universal glass tipping up gesture to see if we want fresh drinks. We both nod encouragingly.

“Yeah, I know what you mean. From what Laura says, Alex has been miserable without her, too. But maybe they’ll come to their senses soon.

” With encouragement from Cassidy and myself, Mel had a fling with Alex, Laura’s brother.

He’s fifteen years younger than her, and she tied herself up in knots over the whole thing before calling it off.

He took a job in Scotland for a clean break and, while I’m grateful it meant I ended up there with Laura and got my night of fun with Cam and Saff, I know it’s tearing her heart in two.

Another example of why I avoid monogamous commitment.

“Do you think we should try and set her up with someone new? Maybe you can take her to one of your sex parties?” Cassidy nudges me with a smirk, despite the serious topic.

“I’ll take her if she wants to come. But I’m not convinced that’s what she needs right now.”

“No, maybe not.” We go quiet as Mel comes to sit beside us.

“Hey, ladies. First rounds on Laura. She sent me over here to see if there were plenty of snacks.”

“Sure are.” I lean over, wrapping an arm around Mel’s shoulder to hug her to my side. Her head bends to touch mine. “How are you doing, honey?”

“I’m alright. Eager to see what mischief you’ve found yourself in. And why you think you’re the arsehole in whatever situation it is.” Her smile is warm, even if it doesn’t quite chase away all the sadness from her eyes.

Laura makes her way over with the drinks. “I bought a bottle of the wine you’re drinking to share. That okay?”

“I can definitely get behind that plan,” I say, reaching over to fill the new glasses and top up my own and Cassidy’s.

“So…” Cass looks at me with a quirked brow.

“Straight into it then?” I ask, stalling without knowing why.

“You called this extra meeting of Smut Club for a reason, Abby. Let’s hear it.” Laura smiles at me as she uses the hair tie on her wrist to pull her electric blue hair up into a loose bun.

“Okay,” I pull in a deep breath. “You know the Scottish guy I met in Glasgow when I had the threesome?” They all nod.

“And I sent the text about how he showed up here, doing work at The Juniper building?” More nods.

“So we got together again, just the two of us this time, and had an incredible night.”

Cassidy claps her hands with glee. “I’m so happy for you.” But moderates her tone when she sees me wince. “What happened?”

“It turns out he doesn’t just work at The Juniper; he owns it.”

Realisation flashes across Cassidy’s face. “Oh, shit.” She gasps.

“What?” Mel asks, bafflement in her tone.

“He’s going to be opening a business in direct competition with The Thirst Trap.” I rub at my temple, which is sore from all the circles my thoughts have been running in since I found out.

“So, what does this mean?” Laura asks, looking as confused as Mel.

“It means I shouldn’t see him anymore.” Just like in his hotel room, a heavy weight sits in my chest at the thought of not spending more time with him.

“Pah! No, it doesn’t,” Cassidy interjects.

“Cass, his business is potentially going to have an impact on my job here. If they take our business away, Tom might not need an Assistant Manager anymore. And Cam didn’t tell me. He kept it to himself.”

“Well, that is a bit shit,” Mel agrees. “But what makes you question if you are the arsehole then?”

“I only just told him my name. And I haven’t told him I work here and why it might be a problem that he owns the building.”

“Ah,” comes Mel’s soft reply. Her face remains neutral, and I can’t tell whose side she’s falling on.

“So, he’s not the only one to hold information back, but I was just being cautious. And I like him. I liked the idea of having a fun fling while he was working on the building.”

“You can still do that, Abby.” Cassidy is using her most convincing tone. “Please don’t stress about your job. As if Tom would let you go. The place would collapse without you here.”

“And you’re saying it’s only a fling, Abby. It’s not like you’re serious about the guy. Have some fun,” Mel encourages, and yet, she knows where having some fun can lead. To heartbreak and sad eyes. Not that I’m not going to fall for him.

“It just feels like I’m being a traitor to Tom and this place.”

“I don’t think you are, and I doubt that Tom would think that either. Have some fun. You deserve it,” she says with a wink. “And if you’re still worried, talk to Tom.”

I guess I could. Maybe if I keep it completely fun, it will help.

I remember Cassidy’s earlier comment. “Perhaps I could see if he wants to come and play at the Clubhouse later this month. If we play with other people, at least I won’t feel like I’m giving him all my attention.

But damn, that man is good in bed. It would be a shame not to enjoy his company again. ”

“That’s the spirit, use him for sex.” Cassidy grins. Mel and Laura nod in agreement. I guess that’s settled then. But I’ll speak to Tom first.

I’ve still not reached out to Cam. It’s been almost a week since my night with him, and I’m feeling antsy.

Now I know he’s close by, it’s even harder not to reach out and text him.

He’s been surprisingly quiet. I was half expecting daily booty calls since I left his hotel room, but there’s been nothing.

Maybe he’s moved on with someone else. I frown, not liking that idea.

Especially after the girls helped me decide a fling would be fine.

I’ve been avoiding walking past The Juniper, not wanting to seem like I’m stalking him, but today I can’t resist the urge any longer.

It’s disappointing when I saunter past at a snail’s pace, trying to catch a glimpse of Cam.

There’s plenty of activity and yet, no sign of the man himself.

I have no reason to pop my head around the entrance and see if he’s there, so I don’t let myself.

If he wanted more, he would have been in touch by now.

I let loose a sigh as I head towards work. I’ll be early now, but there’s always something to keep me busy.

The unlocked door surprises me when I get to the bar. I’m early enough that I thought I’d be the first one here.

“Hello?” I shout as I enter the doorway, but there’s a strange stillness that comes from an empty bar.

I’m so used to it being full of patrons that I’ve come to appreciate the quiet when I’m here alone.

But if that’s the case, why was the door unlocked?

I head towards the staff room to check the roster as I didn’t lock up last night.

Surely it’s not been left unlocked all night. I’m going to lose my shit if it has.

As I step towards the corridor, muffled voices come from the direction of Tom’s office, and relief loosens the muscles I’d inadvertently tightened with my worry.

Thank fuck for that. No-one has to lose their job.

Tom’s door is shut and the voices are pitched low enough that I can’t make out who’s in there.

I head past to the staff room, jumping when the door swings open to show Carl, the cook, sitting at the table reading the paper.

“Oh,” I gasp. “Why’s everyone so bloody early today?”

“Hey, Abby. I got an offer of a lift and took it. And luckily, the boss was just arriving at the same time and let me in.”

“Who’s he meeting with?”

“I dunno, didn’t recognise him. Some massive Scot. They’ve been holed up in his office for at least a half hour.”

I try to keep my face neutral at the mention of a Scot, reminding myself of the five million Scots, but then, it did actually turn out to be Cam the last time I thought that.

I chat with Carl for a bit, as we don’t get much time to catch up all that often. He’s usually busy in the kitchen and finishes before closing, while I’m behind the bar.

“I’m gonna go and water the hanging baskets,” I tell him, reaching for the watering can I keep at the top of the lockers and the stepladder from behind the door.

“Catch ya later, let me know if there are any specials you fancy next week, and I’ll add them to the menu.”

“Will do.” I love that he always asks the staff what they like and ensures we get a portion when we’re on a long shift.

I fill the watering can and carry it, with the ladder, out to the front of the building.

It’s a bit of a faff because the watering can isn’t big enough, so I have to keep going back and forth to fill that as well as move the ladder between each of the baskets.

But on a sunny day like today, I enjoy the task.

I’m deadheading some of the marigolds in one basket, the watering can perched by my feet on the step stool, when the door of the bar opens.

“Careful,” I shout, so they know someone is right by the door.

I look down from the ladder, and my mouth falls open as Cameron steps out.

I jolt, knocking the watering can from its precarious perch, causing it to tip towards him.

A gasp escapes me as I watch it unfold, but his gaze is focused on me, and he doesn’t see it happening.

The water hits him in the crotch, soaking through his smart looking slacks. Huh, he does look smart today. But what the hell is he doing here?

He looks down at the large splash in the unfortunate position with a grimace as his hand comes up to grip the top of the stepladder. His other hand wraps around one of my thighs.

“You shouldn’t be doing this by yourself,” are his first words to me since I left his hotel room. And his tone is grumpy AF.

“I’m so sorry. You surprised me.” I’m frozen to the spot, the warmth of his hand holding my thigh spreading through my whole body.

“Oh shit, I’ll grab you a cloth,” Tom says, making an appearance at the doorway, and taking in the scene.

“You should have someone else holding the ladder while you’re doing that.” Cam’s gruffness is increasing with each word. I guess having an unexpected soaked crotch (and not in a fun way) will do that to a man.

“It’s fine. I’m not up here long enough usually. You just took me unawares.” I grip the top of the ladder, my pinkie brushing against Cam’s solid grip as he holds it in place, and I give him a tentative smile.

It’s an unusual feeling to be towering over him when he usually dwarfs me, and the shock of seeing him here holds me in place. I don’t want the disadvantage of crawling down and having to look up at him.

“Fancy seeing you here,” he drawls, licking his lips.

“What are you doing here?” I ask with curiosity.

“I had a meeting with Tom,” he says. “What about you?”

“She’s my assistant manager,” Tom adds as he steps out with a clean bar towel to hand Cameron. “You guys know each other?”