Watch Me Ignite, page 7
She shook her head, looking pleased at having a secret. I suddenly felt uneasy. What was going on here? Roger seemed as baffled as me but my mom was wearing a smug expression.
Roger’s son and I were the same age. We might have gone to school together. And Roger reminded me of someone...
Oh god. Oh my god. No. No. No.
“Hi, dad,” said a voice behind me. “Sorry I’m late. You know what the traffic can be like this time of day.”
I recognized that voice. Oh god help me, I’d recognize it anywhere. I turned slowly, already knowing who I would see standing there.
Damon’s eyes widened when he saw me. The cocky grin slid from his face. We stared at each other and my blood turned to ice in my veins.
This wasn’t happening. This just couldn’t be happening.
Neither my mom nor Roger seemed to notice our discomfort. Roger threw an arm around Damon and my mom clapped her hands together in delight.
“Look who it is, Alex! You and Damon were so close as children, remember? Oh, this is going to be so wonderful. One big happy family. Damon is going to be your step-brother!”
Chapter 5
The wine tasted like vinegar. The food tasted like mud. The conversation buzzed in my ears like a million hornets flying around my head. This was hell. My worst nightmare come true.
Opposite me sat my mom and her husband-to-be, holding hands and chattering like two love-struck teenagers. And next to me? Next to me sat my stepbrother-to-be, Damon McGregor, my one-time best friend, confidante, companion. Lover.
And the man who’d wrecked my life.
I didn’t look at him. If I did, I wasn’t sure how I’d react. Punch him? Throw myself at him and take us both crashing to the floor while calling him every insulting name I could think of? Or would I dissolve into tears and run from the restaurant?
So I didn’t look at him, but my god, I could feel him. There was less than a hands-width between our seats. His nearness was a warm heat against my skin. If I closed my eyes and spun around three times I would still have been able to pinpoint exactly where he was. Like I said, my worst nightmare.
“Is that all right with you, darling? You don’t mind?”
I jumped. “Sorry, what?”
“I’ve asked Jodie to be my maid of honor. You don’t mind?”
“No, Mom. That’s fine.”
Mind? Hell no. The less I had to do with this wedding, the better. If I could get out of it completely that would suit me just fine.
Roger put an arm around my mom and leaned back in his seat. He gestured with his free hand. “Don’t think you’re getting out of things that easily,” he said to Damon. “You’ll be my best man of course.”
I dared to glimpse at Damon. He smiled at his father indulgently, his dazzling smile lighting up that chiseled, handsome face. “Well, if you can’t think of anyone else...”
Jesus, that cock-sure attitude made me want to slap him. He oozed charm and confidence. When did he become such a slimy asshole?
You know when, a voice answered in my head. When you both went away to college he became a different man. You don’t know him anymore. He’s not your best friend. He’s a shallow, womanizing jock. Remember that.
I did remember. All too well. I raised my wine glass to my lips and was surprised to find it empty. I poured myself another.
“Excellent!” my mom tittered. “You can get measured for your suit tomorrow. As the wedding is next Saturday we don’t have much time.”
I choked, spraying wine across the table. “Next Saturday?”
She had to be kidding. I’d assumed the wedding would be ages away, a year at least. I’d hoped that after tonight I could run away and lick my wounds. But next week? How the hell was I supposed to get out of that?
“Sure, honey,” my mom replied, smiling at me. “I told you, remember?”
Maybe she did. I’d been a little distracted recently. “But...but...” I struggled to find words. “Semester starts soon. I need to get back to college.”
“I know,” she said. “Both you and Damon will be leaving for college soon. That’s why Roger and I have brought the wedding forward.” She smiled dreamily up at him. They were so loved-up it made me sick. “It’s important to us that you’re both there.”
I stared at her. How could she be doing this to me? Below the table, I grabbed the fabric of my skirt with both hands, fighting hard to remain calm. Damon turned to look at me, one eyebrow raised, his blue eyes sparkling. The expression on his face was utterly reasonable. It said, what’s your problem, Alex? Can’t you do this for your mom?
“Of course. Wouldn’t miss it for the world.” I forced the words past the bile in my throat.
My mom beamed. “Who would have thought it? All those years you two being best friends and now you’re going to be brother and sister! It’s just perfect!” She folded her arms on the table and leaned forward, fixing her eyes on Damon. “And who would have thought the little terror who used to lead my daughter astray would turn out to be such a handsome young man. Do you remember the time you had to rescue Alex from that briar patch? Oh how she yelped!”
Damon grinned. “I remember. We were in the woods and came over a dry stream bed full of briars. There was a fallen log crossing it and Alex was determined to cross over, even though I warned her it wouldn’t hold her weight. But you know Alex, she won’t listen to anyone.”
My face flushed. From embarrassment? Shame? No, it was fury. Downright burning anger. How dare they talk about me like I wasn’t there? How dare Damon reminisce as though we were still the old friends we used to be? As though he hadn’t slept with me, told me he loved me, and then gone right out and fucked my friend?
As though he hadn’t broken my heart.
This was too much. I pushed my chair back and stood. “Excuse me,” I mumbled and all but ran to the bathroom. Once inside, I splashed water on my face and gazed at myself in the mirror. I didn’t look any different. Same tawny hair, same hazel eyes, same nose sprinkled with freckles. But I felt different. Hollow, somehow.
Damn him, I thought suddenly. I will not let him do this to me. I won’t. I will grit my teeth through the next week then return to college and my normal life. Then I can forget all about Damon Fucking McGregor. I can do this. I can.
Feeling a little better, I wiped my face, drew a deep breath and pulled open the bathroom door.
Only to find Damon waiting for me.
He was lounging against the wall but straightened when he saw me. I stopped dead, going rigid. For a moment we stared at each other. Then I put my head down and stalked past him. I had nothing to say. Or rather, I had a hundred things to say but I was afraid that should I start, I wouldn’t be able to stop.
His hand snapped out and grabbed my wrist as I strode by, spinning me around to face him. I jerked my arm, trying to break his grasp but he held me effortlessly.
“Let me go!” I hissed. “What the hell are you doing?”
His grip relaxed and I yanked my hand back as if I’d been stung.
“Sorry,” he mumbled. “I just wanted to talk to you.”
I folded my arms over my chest. “Oh? What about?” I said sweetly. “How beautiful the weather’s been today? Where you’re planning on vacationing next year? Or would you rather discuss how happy you are to be my future stepbrother? Isn’t that wonderful?”
He flinched at my sarcasm. “I didn’t know about that, I promise. I was just as shocked as you were to find out.”
“Really? Once I would have believed you. Now I don’t. Now I understand your promises mean exactly jack-shit.”
I couldn’t decipher the expression on his face. Remorse? Guilt? Or was it another one of his acts? “Look, Alex, about me and Shauna—”
He trailed off and I waited, not wanting to hear this and yet somehow unable to walk away. “Yes?”
He glanced at me, scrubbed his hand through his hair and blew out a deep breath. “Me and Shauna, it’s not....”
“Not what?”
He hesitated. “Nothing. It doesn’t matter. I’m sorry.”
I stared at him. “That’s it? Well, it’s been lovely talking to you, Damon. Now stay the hell away from me.”
I marched off, biting my lip to keep a lid on my anger and the tears that threatened to fall.
“SO, WHAT DO YOU THINK?” my mom said, twirling in the floor-length pink dress she’d picked for the wedding.
With her long hair done up in intricate curls and the dress designed to show off her slim figure, she looked beautiful. I smiled, genuinely pleased.
“You’re stunning, Mom. Roger won’t know what’s hit him. He’s one hell of a lucky guy.”
She grinned delightedly. “Yes, he is, isn’t he?”
My cell phone beeped and I pulled it from my pocket. I opened the message and winced as I realized it was from Shauna.
Are you okay? Please don’t brush me off again. Why did you run out on me like that? I’m worried about you.
I took a deep breath. How many messages had Shauna sent? I’d lost count. Each time I’d replied with some bland words saying I was okay but Shauna wasn’t buying any of it. I felt guilty for running out on her without a word of explanation. But I felt angry at her too, even though I knew it was unfair. I’d been visiting Shauna when I’d bumped into Damon again after all these years. I’d had no idea he was studying at Shauna’s college, much less that he was the man she was lusting after. Being reunited with Damon had been great. In fact, it had been better than great. I’d finally realized that I’d loved him all this time, and he’d realized he loved me in return. That one night we’d spent together had been incredible.
Right up until I’d walked in on him in the bedroom with Shauna.
So that’s why I’d left without a word. That’s why I couldn’t face her. She had no idea what had happened between Damon and me but I was angry with her all the same. I hated myself a little bit for that.
“Everything all right, sweetheart?” my mom asked.
With a start I realized I’d been staring at the screen without really seeing it. I shrugged. “Fine. Just a message from a friend. She’s having man trouble.”
My mom smiled sympathetically. I cringed inwardly. If only she knew. Springing to my feet, I tucked my cell phone away. The light, airy room seemed suddenly stuffy. I needed to get out. I needed to clear my head. Grabbing my jacket, I slung it over one shoulder.
“I’ll see you later.”
“Where are you going?” my mom asked, startled. “We haven’t tried on the shoes yet!”
I leaned forward and gave her a kiss on the cheek. “We can do that later. I have some errands to run.”
That, at least, was true. My tutor had sent through the reading list for my first semester —a list of titles as long as my arm—and going into town to buy my books provided a good excuse to get away.
She pursed her lips but then smiled. “Fine, sweetheart. I’ll see you later. Dinner is at six. Don’t be late; Roger and Damon are coming round.”
My stomach dropped. “Sure,” I mumbled. As I left the room I was already running through excuses for missing dinner.
MY JAW DROPPED AS THE cashier told me the price. Jeez, why were textbooks so god-damned expensive? I handed over my card hoping I hadn’t already maxed it out. That would be embarrassing with a long line of people waiting behind me. Luckily, the payment went through and I dropped the book into my bag with the rest and made my way outside. Glancing at my list, I realized I’d bought everything I’d come for.
I paused on the sidewalk. I really didn’t want to go home yet. It wasn’t that I was avoiding my mom exactly. It’s just that every time I saw her, saw how happy she was, I felt guilty. Guilty that all I could think about was how her marriage would complicate my life. About how I couldn’t face being near Damon McGregor.
No, I definitely didn’t want to go home yet.
I glanced at the store on my right and realized it wasn’t a store at all. It was a bar. Through the windows I saw people chatting and laughing. The low hum of music drifted on the air.
On impulse, I pulled the door open and went inside. I took an empty booth by the window and slung my bag on the seat beside me. The bar was done out in some kind of 80s retro theme. I liked it.
“What can I get you?”
I jumped as the waitress appeared. “I...um...”
“Anything to eat?” she asked, smiling at me encouragingly.
“Um, no. Just a drink, thanks. Dry white wine will do.”
“Large or small?”
What the hell. “Large.”
The waitress nodded. I watched her walk away then scanned the patrons of the bar. People sat in groups, chatting and sipping. Some guys sat at the bar drinking bottles of beer, but they were chatting amongst themselves.
I was alone.
The waitress returned in short order, placing a large glass filled with a pale yellow wine on the table in front of me. “Chardonnay,” she said. “I hope that’s okay.”
“Fine,” I mumbled. Then I shocked myself by grabbing the glass, placing it against my lips and guzzling it down in several long swallows. As I finished, I sighed and wiped the back of my hand across my mouth.
The waitress was watching me with a neutral expression. “Looks like you needed that.”
“Sure did. Same again.”
Her eyebrows rose slightly, but she nodded. It was only five in the afternoon but as soon as she brought the second glass of wine, I slurped it as though my life depended on it. Jesus, the drink went down well. My muscles began to loosen, knots of tension started to unwind.
I picked up the wine list from its holder on the table. Scanning it, I searched for the cheapest bottle they had. I held it up to the waitress and pointed. “I’ll have one of those.”
The look she gave me was full of sympathy, as if she’d seen lots of girls like me, drinking in a bar alone, trying to drown their sorrows. Shit, I hated that look.
I forced a smile onto my face. “It’s been a tough day.”
“Sure, honey,” she replied, returning my smile. “Aren’t they all?”
In a corner of the bar I noticed a pool table. Two guys were playing. I studied them over the rim of my glass. Both were good looking and wore sleeveless vests that showed off their muscles. Construction workers, perhaps, who’d just got off shift. The one with messy blond hair caught my eye. Swirling tattoos climbed up his arms and a bead necklace hung around his neck.
I shifted in my seat to get a better view as he leaned forward to take his shot. The fabric of his jeans pulled taut over a pert, tight ass. If Shauna were here now, I know what she’d say.
I wouldn’t mind having him between my legs.
The illicit thought sent butterflies whirling in my stomach. What was I doing? I hadn’t come here to perv over some guy. Had I?
The waitress brought my bottle of wine and placed it on the table. “You sure you don’t want anything to eat, honey?”
Grabbing the bottle, I poured a glass and tossed some bills on the table. “No. Thanks.”
She sighed, taking the money. “Give me a shout if you need anything else, okay?”
“Sure.”
My cell phone beeped and I dug it out of my purse. The message on the screen was from my mom.
Where are you? I thought you’d be home hours ago.
I rolled my eyes. Sometimes my mom forgot that I wasn’t ten years old anymore. I fired off a quick reply. If I didn’t, she’d only worry.
Be back later. Catching up with some friends in Jacey’s.
Yeah, right. What friends?
I drained my glass. The bottle was half-empty already. I needed to pee. I climbed to my feet and wobbled unsteadily. Jesus, the booze had really gone to my head. Concentrating very hard, I slung my purse over my shoulder, picked up my wine bottle then staggered from the booth. Unfortunately, to get to the bathroom I had to pass the pool table where the two hunks were still playing.
Mr. Handsome Blond finished his shot as I approached. He saw me coming and politely moved aside to let me by.
“Thanks,” I mumbled.
I got a waft of his aftershave—something musky—and he smiled at me in a way that made my heart race.
“No problem. Anything for a pretty lady.”
My cheeks flushed but the wine made me bolder than usual. I found myself pausing, looking him up and down in a most suggestive manner. “Good looking and manners. My, my, some girl is going to be lucky tonight.”
Shauna would have been proud of me. It was exactly the kind of thing she would say. Yet inwardly, I cringed. What the hell was I playing at? Before he had a chance to reply I hurried into the bathroom.
Inside, I splashed water on my face, telling myself to sober up. Getting drunk wasn’t the way to deal with my problems but I couldn’t bring myself to care. The booze was making me forget, and right now, that’s all I wanted.
I left the bathroom and wove my unsteady way around the pool table, cradling the wine bottle against my chest like a lover. I had almost made it back to my booth when my ankle twisted and, with a yelp, I stumbled backwards.
Strong arms caught me before I hit the floor. I found myself staring up into the face of Mr. Handsome Blond. He had gray eyes almost as pale as his hair.
“Are you okay?”
I cleared my throat. “Sure. I meant to do that. How else would I have got you to catch me?”
He laughed and helped me to straighten. He took my arm to help me back to my seat but I paused. “Actually, I feel like a game of eight-ball.”
A look passed between the two men. They clearly didn’t want a half-drunk girl annoying them.
“What’s the matter?” I challenged. “Worried you’ll get your ass kicked?”
Mr. Handsome Blond shrugged. “I can never resist a challenge.”
“Rack them up,” I instructed, gesturing with my glass. “I’ll break.”
With a laugh, Blond bent to gather the balls while his friend came over and held out the cue for me. It took me two attempts before I got my hand around the cue and then another three to successfully apply chalk to the end. What the hell had happened to my coordination?
