He sighed and reached for my hand. “Fine. Let’s go eat.”
I giggled at his lack of enthusiasm. “I’m starving,” I told him.
“They’ve got the best greasy fried club food in town.” His voice still unimpressed.
I wasn’t going to let him sulk. This was good for us to get out and be around others. “What’s your favorite fried thing on the menu?” I asked.
“Loaded potato skins with crabmeat,” he replied immediately.
That sounded delicious. “That’ll be a great appetizer.”
He chuckled then and looked down at me. “I fucking love how you eat.”
I had made him laugh. It was one of my greatest accomplishments and every time he did it, I was filled with warmth. I loved hearing it and knowing I had done that.
“What do you love about the way I eat, Eli Hardy?” I asked in a prim voice.
He shook his head and we continued to the entrance. “Your passion for food.”
I was passionate about food. Smiling, I swung our joined hands back and forth. “That’s good to know. Because later you can buy me an ice cream cone.”
He opened the door and let my hand go so I could walk inside. “Don’t I always buy you an ice cream cone?” he asked.
“Yes, but instead of me hinting I want one I can just come right out and say it. Since you love my food passion.”
He started to say more when he was interrupted by a, “ELI, GET MY BEER FROM LARISSA!” yelled from across the room. Eli shot an annoyed glance in the direction of the voice. Jimmy Taylor was at a high top with Marcus, Jude, and a guy I didn’t know.
Eli didn’t walk over to the bar or to the table with his friends. Instead, his hand rested on my lower back and he steered me toward a regular table closer to the entrance.
“Is he drunk?” I asked, studying the table we were obviously avoiding.
Eli shook his head. “No. Just obnoxious.”
I was still curious. “Why did he tell you to get his beer?”
“With Jimmy, it could be a number of reasons.”
That wasn’t a real answer. I was going to ask another question when Micah’s much closer voice stopped me. “He pissed off Larissa. She’s withholding his drinks.”
I turned in my seat to see Micah approaching us. He gave me a nod hello then gave his attention back to Eli. “Got a minute?” he asked. Micah rarely looked so serious. Come to think of it, I had never seen him appear so . . . concerned?
I kept my focus on Micah trying to figure out what was wrong, but I felt Eli’s gaze on me and glanced over at him instead.
Eli appeared annoyed as he gave me an “I told you this was a bad idea” look then glanced back at Micah. “Sure. What?” he drawled sounding as annoyed as he appeared.
There was a pregnant pause and it was awkward. I shifted in my seat nervously.
“Best if we step outside. It’s a, uh, private matter.” He said the words with such intent I was now getting worried.
That got Eli’s attention too. He frowned and said nothing as he stared up at Micah. I knew he was trying to decide if this was important or not.
“I’m fine,” I assured him in case he wasn’t moving or saying anything because he would have to leave me if he stepped outside.
It was clear he didn’t want to go but the way Micah was looking at him, we both knew he needed to go.
“I won’t be long,” he told me before standing and following an already retreating Micah to the door. I waited until they had disappeared and the large wooden door had closed behind them to let out the breath I was holding. What could that be about?
A dread settled in my gut and I tried to ignore it but the feeling only grew.
JUNE 29 / 7:02 PM
Eli Hardy
GRAN. THIS WAS about Gran. My stomach knotted as I followed Micah out into the parking lot. He continued walking until we were around the back of the building. Very few cars were back here this early in the evening. It was private. That was for sure. I fought the urge to tell him to say it already. To stop fucking walking. We were alone for the love of God. What could possibly be this damn personal?
The back door to the club opened and I was expecting Larissa to walk out to join us. For a brief second, I thought he’d walked me back here to talk to her. Let her tell me whatever it was.
But it wasn’t Larissa.
Annie stood there looking years older than the last time I had seen her six months ago. It took a moment to let her presence here where she didn’t belong sink in. I was thrown off balance as a part of that world walked into my world here. Anger didn’t simmer slowly, it exploded within me. She didn’t belong here.