CHAPTER 14 #2
Morgan was seconds away from wailing and I couldn’t help but feel a little bad, even if she brought this upon herself.
I glanced over at Tom. He watched this entire scene with confusion, like he hadn’t even realized that she’d left his side.
The prick couldn’t be bothered to come over here and make sure she was okay.
But maybe he didn’t care because they weren’t exclusive, given the fact that she was over here shooting her shot with Cade.
“Fine.” Morgan shoved off Ella’s hand and muttered something inaudible under her breath before stomping away.
The second Morgan was out of earshot, Ella’s tough-as-nail demeanour melted away and she was all over Cade. “Are you okay, querido?”
“I’m okay. She was pushy but harmless.” Cade yanked Ella into his embrace, murmuring with a hint of amusement, “Thank you for saving me, Ellie.”
The girls and I laughed.
Cade was a mob prince down to his core. He certainly didn’t need anyone to save him, but I reckon he enjoyed watching his girlfriend go all territorial over him.
After the laughter subsided, Hera’s regretful eyes crossed over to mine.
I once told her that I found Morgan vindictive.
It always made the team uncomfortable when Morgan would demean me with a verbal jab when I was talking during our meetings.
Last month, Hera had to pull Morgan to the side and explain that her behaviour wasn’t okay or tolerated amongst the team.
It subdued Morgan temporarily, but she still glared at me whenever we were in the same room.
I think Hera was beginning to realize the ridiculous extent of Morgan’s unprofessionalism and misplaced dislike for me. Especially because I’d never done anything to her.
I shrugged, voicelessly letting Hera know that I was fine.
“Cade,” Hera addressed him after clearing her throat.
“My team is always respectful and courteous, and they’re well aware that their actions tonight are a direct reflection on the association.
Everyone was supposed to be on their best behaviour for tonight’s mixer.
I…I don’t know why Morgan acted that way with you. ”
“You don’t have to apologize, Hera.” Cade shook his head. “It’s not a big deal. I’m okay. She probably just drank too much.”
“Probably,” Hera echoed as an afterthought.
A few hours ago, Hera gave the whole team explicit instructions not to drink to the point that we became drunk or tipsy.
That wasn’t acceptable for a night like this, regardless of the venue and the nature of the event.
Everyone who bought a ticket was given a free voucher for one drink—unless, of course, the attendees wanted to buy more drinks themselves.
But Morgan didn’t look drunk or tipsy to me.
Plus, she said Cade had been staring at her—a complete lie.
His eyes had never once strayed from Ella, except when she left to go to the bathroom.
Maybe Morgan’s dislike for me drove her to interrupt my conversation with a guy that she thought I was interested in—I obviously wasn’t into Cade—just so she could shit on my parade and attempt to prove that she was the better option.
It would be quite like her character.
Ready to move past this Morgan fiasco, I checked my phone again. The latest texts in my group chat with the girls had my shoulders sagging in disappointment.
Layla’s car just had a flat tire and we’re stuck in the middle of a busy road. —Anna
We called insurance, but we’re not sure if we’ll make it in time. —Anna
We’re so sorry, Gabby. —Anna
If we weren’t so far away, we’d walk to you —Anna
They sent me a selfie of them in the car with sad pouts, looking glamorous as ever.
I saw their location, confirming that they were nowhere near the bar. At least help was on the way. That filled me with relief.
I sent them my own selfie with a matching sad pout.
Please don’t worry about it and stay safe Keep me posted with updates! —Gabby
Also, WOW! You both look stunning —Gabby
Right back at you! You look hot as hell —Anna
Is Oscar there, btw? —Anna
Yes, he’s hiding in the corner of the bar, pretending to be incognito. I’m here with Ella, Darla, Dacia, and Hera. —Gabby
Okay, good. We’ll let you know about our new ETA as soon as possible. Please keep texting us throughout the night so we know you’re fine. Miss you! —Anna
PS: Tell the girls we say hi! —Anna
I will! Miss you both —Gabby
I placed my phone into my heart-shaped clutch and focused my attention back on my friends, trying to salvage the rest of my night. Although Morgan’s rude interruption and Layla and Anna’s flat tire put a damper on my mood.
Also, where was Hunter? He said he would be here tonight.
Unless…he reneged.
No.
He wouldn’t do that to me. Not without good reason.
Shaun, who’d momentarily left our group, rejoined and convinced everyone to play a game of Never Have I Ever.
Our side of the bar erupted with jokes and laughter, and it helped take my mind off everything else.
I was halfway through my second virgin mojito when an odd prickling sensation spread down my back.
Oscar was still in his spot, far away so that he wouldn’t draw attention but still close enough to see me and any looming threat.
Reluctantly, I threw a glance over my shoulder.
And froze.
Franco entered the crowded bar with two guys I didn’t recognize.
He appeared laid-back as he trawled the room.
The second he spotted me, a frown marred his forehead, followed by a rude twist of his lips that set me on edge.
I hadn’t seen him since our first Horror & Cult Classic Cinema class.
My guess was that he arrived right before class started and left the second it was dismissed to avoid another run-in with me.
Now he took inventory of everyone around me with newfound curiosity.
I didn’t like it.
At all.
What if Anna and Layla are right? What if he’s the one who broke into my place? What if he’s here tonight to watch me?
Though this bar was a hotspot for students and our mixer had gained a lot of notoriety amongst the university populace, I wasn’t sure why Franco would willingly show up to our event when he was far from a feminist and closer to a misogynistic pig.
My ex-boyfriend’s presence exacerbated my low spirits.
Suddenly, a lump lodged itself in my throat and everything in the background blurred until the only sound in my ears was a low buzzing similar to a hornet’s nest.
Excusing myself from my friends, I moved over to a stool and faced the bar wall lined with bottles of liquor, trying to control my surging anxiety.
My eyes inexplicably stung. I was suddenly overwhelmed.
Despite my need to constantly be surrounded by people, I had the urge to tear out of this place like a bullet and go somewhere where I could actually breathe.
As if manifesting him, a hard body pressed against my back, strong arms caged me on either side, and tanned hands came to rest next to my paler ones on the bar top. A soft kiss was placed on my crown. “Hey, sweetheart. I’m sorry I’m late.”
All my panic fretted away in a singular whooshing exhale.
Hunter’s familiar voice and cologne grounded me.
Without preamble, I spun around and threw my arms around his form, hugging him with all my might, my face practically mashing in his corded neck, where his pulse hammered under the graze of my red lips. “Hi, pretty boy.”
Sensing that my greeting wasn’t charged with my usual enthusiasm and feeling the light tremor running through my body, Hunter’s arms wrapped around me.
“What’s wrong, Gabby?” he murmured with so much gentleness, it nearly undid me. “I was stuck in traffic, but I tried to get here as fast as possible.”
“Nothing’s wrong.” Now that you’re here. “I just missed you. I’m glad you came.”
“Of course I did.” His chest vibrated with the sound of his deep voice and I felt the reverberations against my skin. “You asked me to.”
Hunter uttered those words in a way that stated he would go anywhere I asked him, no matter how close or how far away. Even if it were the depths of hell, the ends of the earth, the heights of heaven.
Pulling back from the embrace of this man who was built like a beast but behaved like an angel, I observed my accidental lipstick stain on his neck with satisfaction.
I should tell Hunter about the mark, but I felt possessive over him. I didn’t want it wiped off. I liked knowing that a part of me—even temporarily—was on him.
“Are you ready to hide in a corner with me?” I asked softly.
“Yes.” Hunter smiled before cupping a hand under my jaw and tipping my head back so our gazes connected. “You look so beautiful tonight and I’m jealous of all the men eye-fucking you in this room.”
I sucked in a breath through my parted lips, my hand tightening around my drink.
Guess I wasn’t the only one feeling possessive tonight.
With his admission, another line was blurred. I didn’t have it in me to re-erect it. It would be inane, when it was obvious we were close to departing the friend zone.
“I…” Could barely formulate a sentence.
Heat sparked in his gaze as it roved over my body with appreciation. “I’m getting a drink.” He chin-nodded to my near-empty glass. “You want another?”
“N-no.” Though the filthy look he perused my entirety with left me parched. “I’m good. What are you having?”
A bastardized smirk, filled with corrupt promises, spread over his mouth. “Certainly not beer, doll.”
Fuck, I loved this flirty side of Hunter.