bsp; For the first time, I noticed that Fox was wearing a black T-shirt with Annette’s Catch written across the front covered by a white apron, soiled with food stains.
“You work here?”
“Yeah, my family owns this place,” he smiled.
“Oh,” I replied feeling drained as I looked around. Of course, it was only a matter of time before I ran into him again. He lived here which meant he also had to work somewhere on the island. Suddenly, I wanted to be anywhere but in his presence. The fuzziness in my head was reminding me of the night we just spent together, and I hadn’t allowed myself to think about it. It was bad enough that the incident with Woody had caused a scene because everyone was staring. My stomach started to turn, and I needed to get some fresh air.
“’Kay, I’m gonna go. Have a good night, Foxy.” I finger waved at him and stumbled as I turned around. Fox grabbed my arm to steady me.
“You okay, Harley?”
“I’m fine.” I yanked my arm from his grasp a little too forcefully and began walking away.
“Maybe you should sit down for a minute. I can get you some coffee.”
“Leave me alone,” I called over my shoulder.
“Harley, stop.” Fox was suddenly beside me grabbing my arm again.
“Would you quit grabbing me?” I screeched. The place grew so quiet I was sure you could hear a pin drop. Fox held his hands out to calm me as one would approach a wild animal.
“Okay, calm down. No need to get loud,” he said as he took a cautious step toward me.
Oh, he didn’t want me to get loud, huh?
“I don’t know why you feel like you know me ’cause you don’t. Just because I let you eat my p—”
I was instantly hauled over his shoulder and carried out of the front door before I could finish my sentence.
“Put me down!” I screamed as I clawed at his back.
“What the fuck is your problem?” he roared after finally carrying me far enough away from the bar and planting me on my feet. I stumbled a few steps backward before righting myself.
“I don’t like to be pawed at by strange men.”
“Oh, I’m a strange man now?”
I breathed out a frustrated sigh. My head was spinning, and I just wanted to be left alone.
“Fox, do me a favor and stop with all your white knight bullshit because I don’t need it. I’ve managed to survive for twenty-five years without much help from anybody. I’ll be fine.” I pushed past him and started walking down the path to the beach.
“Harley!” he called after me, but I didn’t stop. He was a good guy. Too good for me. Twice he’d come to my rescue and I was starting to hate myself for being such a bitch to him. I wished he would just go away.
I walked quickly and let the breeze blow across my face, hoping that it would clear my head. I hurried past a group of guys who were prowling outside of the bar and making catcalls at me.
“Fuck off!” I shouted at them and continued to walk until I’d reached the beach. After pulling off my sandals, I let my feet sink into the warmth of the sand as I listened to the swooshing of the waves and the whistling of the wind. I walked along the edge of the water until my legs grew tired and the lights behind me faded in the distance. Reaching into my bag I pulled out my flask. I’d managed to discreetly refill it in small increments by grabbing the tequila bottle from behind the bar every time Hal went back into the kitchen.
If I wasn’t tipsy already, I was drunk by the time I finished the flask. I sat down in the sand and rubbed the sparrow on my wrist and cried. I was long overdue for a pity party. I couldn’t think of a single thing worth getting up from that spot for. I didn’t have anything or anyone to care about. No place to go and no one waiting for me. There was nobody who cared if I lived or died. The tears fell even harder. How did I deserve that?
****
“Harley?” someone shouted my name and smacked my face to bring me awake.
“Harley! Open your eyes!” I heard the voice yell.
“But I don’t want to,” I mumbled.
“Yes, you have to wake up. You can’t stay out here.” I felt arms lift me up and I peeled my heavy eyelids open to see that it was Fox who was carrying me.