“I owe you an apology and a thank you. You’ve been a good friend, and I was an asshole. I’m sorry, and thanks for looking out for me.”
“You hear from your girl?”
I released a long breath. He didn’t have to refer to her as my girl. “She isn’t mine anymore.”
“So if I wanted to date her, you’d have no problem with that?” He gave me a wink, and I got the point.
“Nah, it’s done. And just to be sure of it, I scared her away.” At least, I had tried my damnedest.
“Yeah.” He glanced up and gave a wink to a girl at the nearest table. I recognized her, and instantly my back stiffened. The girl got up and approached as I turned and gave Glen a glare.
“I was wondering when I’d find you here.”
“And, your name was?” I wondered if she had given a fake name, as well.
“Bre Lively, at your service.” She took the stool next to me as I laughed.
“Lively, right. So that’s her game. Give her best friend’s name? Let me guess; it’s an old college trick?” The girl grinned, and I got a good look at her outfit. She was dressed down, unlike the time I’d seen her before, and I could only imagine it was to fit in better with the part of town — but then the tattoo peeking out of her bra that was already peeking out of her loose top made me wonder if she was right at home.
“Look, I came to talk. Lexa told me what happened when she gave you a ride home.” She narrowed her eyes then glanced over to the table where a guy had sat, a guy that she most likely came with.
“Your friend?” I wondered if he was supposed to intimidate me. Nice try. The guy looked like a college gamer kid someone inflated with a bicycle pump.
“Yeah, that’s my boyfriend, Daniel. I wasn’t going to show up alone in this dive.” She glanced up to Glen and seemed to breathe a sigh of relief that he hadn’t heard her.
“I get it. You’re here to tell me to stay away from her. Don’t worry; I’m moving on.” I took a long pull from my beer and then ran my finger through the ring it left on the bar.
“Actually, I’m here to encourage you to hear her out. You’ve got it all wrong about her.” I went to cut her off, but she held up a hand. “She messed up; she knows it. I even told her how fucked up it was. She was going to tell you for a while now, but she was terrified she’d lose you.”
“Yeah, well, she’ll get over it. I have.” I downed the rest of my beer, chugging it down in three long gulps, and then knocked my knuckles for another.
“Yeah, you’re looking real refreshed. Nice face, by the way. I was wondering what was hiding behind that hedge you had on your chin. Now I can see why Lexa was so attracted, though the bags you’ve got under those eyes of yours aren’t much of a turn on.”
“Are you finished?” I was growing bored with her already. “I’m trying to enjoy a drink and go on with my life.”
“You’re as fucked up as she is and you’re hurting just as much. Look me in the eye and tell me you don’t love her.”
I searched her eyes, and I had to admire her. She wasn’t going to shut up, and then she threw a challenge out to boot. I looked her right in the eyes and forced a smile. “It doesn’t matter if I do.”
“Yes, it does.” She shook her head and got to her feet, and then her and her boyfriend, who gave me the stink eye as he stood, walked out.
I wasn’t about to give in now. I’d told Lexa to stay away, and it was for the best. I didn’t have to admit my love to Bre. Who was she to even come here and ask me to do so? All she’d done was make me feel worse.
I didn’t like thinking about Lexa having a hard time, but she’d brought it on herself. It wasn’t like things could ever be the same again anyway.
I turned back to the bar and downed another cold one.
Chapter Thirty-Four
Lexa
I was still trying to focus on work to keep from falling apart and to make things worse, I’d been trying to keep a distance from Dr. Rob whenever possible. My luck ran out at the end of my first break when he came down the hall and cornered me.
“You look beautiful today.” I wondered if he was being serious because my eyes had been so red lately with all the crying and late nights, but he smiled and tucked a loose strand of hair behind my ear.
“Thank you.” I was a little taken aback by his proximity, but there wasn’t anyone else down the hall.
“I was wondering if you’d finally let me take you out for dinner since we both have the night off.” His smile was so sincere and sexy. I should have been moved by it. I should have been chomping at the bit to be alone with him, and I knew any other nurse I knew would be.