by Claire Raye
I glance in the office that’s right off the back entrance and Caleb is at his desk, his eyes focused on the computer screen in front of him.
“Hey, Caleb, anyone ever tell you that you work too much?” I call out, stopping in the doorway.
“Hey, Mila, anyone ever tell you that you’re loud?” he jokes back, smirking at me. “I’m leaving in ten minutes. Ruby, Sie, Reid and I are heading to Anaheim. We’re gonna do Disneyland tomorrow.”
“Fun! Next time I wanna go!” I say, pouting and Caleb laughs.
“Take it up with Ruby. She’s the one who organized it.”
We say our goodbyes and Charlie and I find a table in the back, even though the place is packed. One of the many nice things about your sister’s boyfriend owning the bar is that seats aren’t hard to come by. He always has a reserved sign on one table and the staff knows it’s only for his family. I’m considered one of the family.
As soon as we sit down the server walks over, an already pissed off look on her face. I don’t recognize her so she must be new. The place has gotten so busy that Caleb has had to hire a bunch of new servers and she must be one of them.
She doesn’t bother greeting us, she just instantly looks down at our hands, noticing the stamp.
“You must have come from Stella’s. Don’t even think you’re getting served here without me seeing your I.D.,” she spits out harshly.
“I don’t think we even asked to be served, did we?” I say, looking right at her. “But since you asked, we’ll each take a water and the nacho platter.”
She stands there for a second, not saying anything, waiting for us to attempt to order a drink and I refuse to give her the satisfaction. She doesn’t need to know that I wouldn’t dare try it with Adam behind the bar and Caleb in his office. It’s far too big of a risk for Caleb’s business and even though I’ve done it in the past, I certainly wouldn’t now.
When I return my eyes to Charlie, she finally walks off.
“Eww. She was really unpleasant,” Charlie says, scrunching up her nose as she watches the server walk away.
“Wonder if Caleb knows he hired such a bitch?” I respond, my eyes following the server as she slips behind the bar and sidles herself up to Adam’s back.
I watch her drag her fingernails down Adam’s arm, her lips pressed close to his ear as she says something to him and they both laugh. He reaches behind her, his arm swinging over her head as he grabs for a bottle, but she sees this as an opportunity to press her boobs against his chest.
What. The. Fuck.
I can hear Charlie talking but all I literally see is red and I want to claw both their eyes out. Jealousy burns hot inside me; my chest and stomach feel like I swallowed a lit match. I clench my teeth, stopping myself from calling out exactly what I’m thinking, because that would be completely ridiculous. I have no right to feel this way and I hate that I do. My body is betraying me and my casual attitude toward men is failing miserably right now.
“Mila! Mila!” Charlie calls, waving a hand in front of my face.
“What?” I hiss back, not meaning to take my anger out on her.
“It’s okay to be jealous,” she now says, as if she can read my mind. I should’ve known she’d realize exactly how I’m feeling.
“I’m not jealous,” I instantly defend, the lie coming out, but coming out really badly.
Obviously, I am jealous.
Miserably, stupidly, embarrassingly jealous.
Chapter Eight
Adam
“Hey, I’m gonna head out, you all set with things here?”
I look over as Caleb comes out from the back office and slips behind the bar, serving a customer while he waits for my reply.
“Yeah, I’m cool. Go home and have fun on your little trip tomorrow.”
Caleb smirks at me and I can’t tell if he thinks hitting up Disneyland is totally childish or a really fun idea. Personally, I’d be all for it. The US does theme parks well and I love all the crazy rides and shit.
“Can you make sure she doesn’t drink and gets home okay?” he now asks, tipping his head toward the area he keeps reserved for his crew.
I glance over and see Mila and Charlie sitting there. I didn’t even realize they were here and I’m kind of confused as to why they didn’t come over and say hello. “Ah, yeah, sure thing,” I reply, my eyes on Mila, waiting for her to look over.
“Do you have her number?” Caleb asks, moving to stand beside me.
“Huh?”
“Mila. Do you have her number?”
“No,” I reply, shaking my head. “Why would I?”
Caleb gives me a look I can’t decipher before pulling his phone from his back pocket. “Here, I’ll give it to you. It’ll be good to know you have it, just in case.”
“In case of what?”
Caleb shrugs. “I don’t know, in case.”
I meet his gaze, wondering if there’s something else he’s trying to tell me in all this. Or maybe he’s just being overly protective given it’s his girlfriend’s sister and he’s been through enough shit that it’s normal for him to worry about everything.
“Okay, sure,” I say, exhaling. “Give me her number.”
After I save it in my phone, Caleb smiles at me. “Alright, have a good night. You sure you’re good?”
“Yes,” I say with a laugh as I gently push him out from behind the bar. “Go home. And go have fun at the happiest place on Earth. We’ll be fine here.”
Caleb rolls his eyes, but he’s smiling, and I know he’s actually excited to be getting away for a couple of days. It’s good to see him like this, he deserves it after everything he’s been through.
After he leaves, I head over to the table Mila and Charlie are sitting at, both of them sipping on glasses of water and deep in conversation.
“Ladies,” I say with a grin.
“Hey, Adam,” Charlie replies, all smiles as she turns toward me.
I nod in her direction before turning to Mila who is staring into her glass and apparently working very hard on avoiding looking at me. “Hey,” I say, nudging her.
“Hi,” she replies, still not looking at me.
I glance at Charlie who rolls her eyes as she mouths, she’s pissy. I’m not really sure what’s going on or why Mila is pissed off, but it feels weird and so unlike her. “Listen, I’ll give you guys a lift home when I’m done, so don’t leave without me, okay? You need anything?”
“We’ve ordered, thanks,” Charlie says at the same time as Mila says, “We don’t need a lift home.”
I turn to face her, resting a hand on the table as I lean down and tip her head up so I can meet her eyes. “You’re not walking home, Mila,” I say. “If you want to go, let me know and I’ll take you, but don’t walk home.”
Mila rolls her eyes as she glances at Charlie, pushing my hand away. I notice the black stamp on her hand now, see the same one on Charlie’s. Clearly, they’ve been over at Stella’s, the place all the underage kids hang out.
“So, finally got a new fake I.D., huh?”
Mila shrugs, but doesn’t respond.
“Did the classic stamp trick too, I see?” I say, arms crossed over my chest. “Give me a look at it then,” I add, holding a hand out.
Mila looks at Charlie, who nods in encouragement, before she reaches into her bag and grabs the I.D. Without a word, she shoves it into my waiting hand. I lift it closer, giving it a quick once over before slipping it into my back pocket.
“Hey! Give me that back,” Mila says, reaching for me.
I grab her wrist, holding her in place as I step closer, leaning down so my mouth is against her ear. “You’ll get it back when I take you home tonight.”
I feel her gasp more than hear it, feel the warmth of her breath as it brushes across my neck. Goosebumps lift on my skin and I suddenly want to lean closer and suck on her neck. Again.
“Nacho platter,” Liv, the new girl says, dr
opping the plate unceremoniously on the table. “Um, Adam,” she adds, all smiles now as she slides a hand onto my arm. “We kinda need you up at the bar.”
I blink, my gaze still locked on Mila’s neck, my hand on her wrist as Liv’s fingers now curl around my bicep. Mila pulls on my grip, my fingers releasing as she sits back in her chair, her arm disappearing beneath the table.
“Don’t leave,” I say to both of them, before turning and heading back to the bar.
The night is busy, and I don’t get a second to stop and check in on Mila and Charlie again. I’m glad to see they don’t leave though, even if Mila looks as though she wants to be anywhere else but here. I’m not sure what’s going on with her tonight, but something has clearly pissed her off.
“Hey, so we ready to close up?” Liv asks, stepping a little closer than she needs to.
I move to the side, putting a bit of space between us. “Yep, let’s kick this last lot out and call it done.”
Liv smiles, stepping closer again as she puts a hand on my hip and says, “Those girls have been sitting there forever, drinking water of all things. I’m going to tell them to leave.”
“No,” I immediately say, my head snapping up to the table where Mila and Charlie are still sitting, apparently deep in conversation again. Whatever they’re talking about, it looks animated, almost as though they are disagreeing. “They’re fine, they can stay.”
Liv gives me a weird look before smiling again, her hand grazing my arse now as she says, “You wanna maybe hang out after we close up? I’m always buzzed after work and not ready to go to bed. Well, not to sleep anyway,” she adds with a wink.
I know what she’s asking me. Do I want to hook up? Go home and have meaningless sex with her to take the edge off after a busy night at work. Given how much I flirt with the customers, hell with the staff too, it’s probably the vibe I give off, but it doesn’t mean that’s what happens. Doesn’t mean that’s what I want with her either.
“Can’t,” I reply with a smile.
Liv pouts, stepping even closer so her tits press against my arm. “Oh, come on,” she says. “We could have some fun.”
I open my mouth to speak just as Mila steps up to the bar and announces, “We’re ready to go.”
I turn to her, watch as she glares at Liv before turning back to me. “I’ll literally be thirty minutes, Mila,” I say. “Just wait for me, okay? Please?”
She lets out a small huff before turning and heading back to the table where Charlie sits.
“That’s your plans?” Liv asks, pouting as she gives Mila’s back a dirty look. “Is she your girlfriend or something?”
I exhale, not wanting to get into this as I step away from Liv and mumble, “She’s just a friend.”
The short drive home is awkward as fuck, Charlie randomly talking in an obvious attempt to fill the void created by Mila’s silence. She’s barely even looked at me since we walked out, let alone spoken to me.
It all feels like a far cry from a couple of nights ago when we were studying in her room.
“How’d you go on that test?” I eventually ask, trying to get her to talk to me as I glance in the rearview mirror.
Mila shrugs. “Fine.”
Charlie turns to me in the front seat. “She got like ninety percent.”
“Ninety, huh, that’s awesome.”
Mila shrugs again but doesn’t say anything. When I glance at Charlie, she lifts her arms as if to say, I have no idea, before turning to look out the window.
When we get to the apartment complex, the three of us take the lift to our floor in silence. I have no idea what the fuck’s going on with Mila, but something feels very off. I don’t like the way she’s ignoring me all of a sudden and I really don’t like the way that makes me feel either.
I miss the flirty, fun Mila, even if neither of us takes that flirtiness any further.
“See ya, Adam,” Charlie calls as she unlocks their front door. “Thanks for the ride home.”
“No worries,” I reply, turning toward their apartment. “Mila, hold up a sec, will you?”
She turns to face me, not bothering to hide that signature eye roll of hers. Charlie disappears inside their apartment, closing the door behind her to give us some privacy.
“What’s going on with you tonight?” I ask, stepping toward her.
“Nothing.”
“Bullshit nothing,” I scoff. “You’ve barely said two words to me all night.”
Mila crosses her arms over her chest. “I’m surprised you noticed.”
“What are you talking about?” I ask, even more confused. “I mean yeah it was busy, but shit, you can still talk to me.”
Mila meets my gaze, her eyes fiery as she lifts a brow in question and says, “Busy flirting with that bitchy bartender.”
“What?” I say with a laugh. Is she serious right now?
“Nothing,” she says waving her comment away. “I’m tired. I’m going to bed.”
“Mila, wait,” I say, reaching for her arm. She stiffens as my fingers close around her wrist, but I don’t let go, instead tugging her arm so she turns back to face me. “Are you jealous?”
“No,” she immediately says, her cheeks reddening a little.
I step closer, a smile tugging at my mouth now. This is starting to make more sense. “I think you are.”
Mila huffs, lifting her head so she’s looking right at me. My fingers are still curled around her wrist and I watch her eyes widen as I slide them slowly up her arm. She shivers a little, but it’s not because she’s cold.
“Why would I be jealous?” she whispers.
I step closer so there are only inches separating us. “I don’t know,” I murmur, staring down at her. I kind of like that you are though, I silently add to myself.
“Well, I’m—”
I lift my other hand, my thumb brushing against her lip and stopping whatever she was about to say. I’m not really sure what the fuck I’m doing right now, why I should even care if Mila is jealous. It’s not like there’s anything happening between us, even if that feels like a lie as soon as I think it.
“You don’t need to be jealous, Mila,” I whisper.
“I’m—”
I press my thumb against her mouth, silencing her again. “There’s nothing to be jealous of.”
I step closer, our bodies almost touching now as heat swirls between us, pulling me closer, daring me to do something I know I shouldn’t.
“She’s nothing…” I trail off as Mila lets out a whimper. I realize just how close we are now, my face only an inch from hers, our mouths separated by only my thumb.
I drag it across her bottom lip, so my hand is cupping her jaw. Mila’s brown eyes are pools of blackness as they stare up at me, her warm breath teasing my mouth, tempting me.
“Fuck it,” I breathe out as I give in, closing the distance now, as I brush my lips against hers.
I feel her body sag against mine, her hands on my chest, gripping my t-shirt, holding me close as she melts into my kiss.
My tongue follows the path of my thumb, tracing along her bottom lip, teasing her, tasting her, wanting more. She gives in, her lips parting, her tongue touching mine as she deepens the kiss. I let go of her arm to slide my hand around her waist and pull her closer when the loud ringing of my phone suddenly interrupts us, breaking the moment.
Mila pulls back, her face flushed, her lips swollen. I can feel my heart pounding in my chest, the blood racing in my veins as I try to process what the fuck that was just then.
I haven’t kissed a woman in over a year, and I have no idea why I just did that.
“I should go,” Mila mumbles, fumbling with the door handle.
“Mila, wa—”
“Good night, Adam,” she says, opening her front door and disappearing inside, leaving me standing in the corridor, alone and more confused than ever.
Fuck.
Chapter Nine
&
nbsp; Mila
I collapse against the door as soon as it closes, completely overwhelmed and suddenly feeling out of control. I slide down the door, crumbling to a heap on the floor just as the tears start. I’d love to blame the tequila shots for me falling apart but I know it’s a hell of a lot more than that. Between the jealousy and that kiss, this guy has my head all fucked up. Not that my head wasn’t entirely fucked up already but blaming someone else feels easier right now. Blaming anything else but myself feels easier.
But in the end, I’m the only one to blame for the fact that my life is a fucking disaster. I put myself into this mess and now I’m falling back into the same habits that got me in trouble while I was in Tahoe.
“Mila,” Charlie’s voice croons, sympathy and confusion spilling from her words as she sits down beside me. My head falls to her shoulder and she rests her head against mine. “What happened?”
“He kissed me,” I sob, hating what that kiss represents and everything it could possibly lead to. “He fucking kissed me, Charlie. He can’t…”
I wanted him to kiss me. I wanted to go into his apartment and take things further. I want everything I know I shouldn’t.
“Oh, Mila,” she says, weaving her fingers through mine and holding my hand while I cry on her shoulder. “What if he really likes you? What if that kiss was the start of something great?”
She’s forever the optimist, at least when it comes to everyone else, and sometimes I wonder how we ever became friends. She’s a believer, a wisher, a dreamer and she always has hope for the future when I can’t see past tomorrow.
“What if it’s the same old shit?” I question back. “What if he has a girlfriend? What if she finds out? What if it happens again? What if…”
“You don’t get to do the what-if game,” Charlie jabs back, squeezing my hand.
“But you started it,” I say, sniffing back the tears that have started to subside.
“But mine are serious. Yours are off the deep end…like always.” Her words are truthful, but still somehow wrong. It’s not the deep end if it’s happened before. It’s called the past and the past has a way of repeating itself. “It doesn’t have to be anything more than you want it to. You don’t have to kiss him back. You don’t have to admit you have feelings for him. You don’t have to repeat your mistakes. That’s why we’re here. We’re starting over. Both of us.”
