Chapter 10
TEN
HUX
“For hick-hop, these guys aren’t too bad,” Kenny says as he takes a swig of his beer.
“I guess so.” I look at the time on my phone. It’s getting close to ten p.m., the show will be over soon, and I need to get back to the bar. Anyone staying with us will be sure to stop in for a nightcap.
I’ve barely heard any of the bands tonight, my eyes rarely leaving Everly’s body as she laughs and dances to the music.
That kiss last week messed with my head, and I haven’t been able to figure out my shit ever since.
Something about her sass, and yet her complete lack of confidence in herself, has me pulled to her despite anything I do to shut it down.
The problem is, I can tell without her even saying the words that she is not a friends-with-benefits kind of chick, and I am most definitely not a relationship kind of guy. It’s just not in the cards for me.
“All right, man, I need to get back to the resort. Do you want a ride?” I nudge Kenny with my shoulder .
“Nah, I’ll grab one with one of the girls.”
I head back to my truck, and I’m greeted by Birch’s face hanging out the window, loving the attention of anyone walking by. The fireworks will start soon, so it is best to get Birch back to the bar and relieve my dad, who always covers while the younger staff enjoys the concert.
When I walk in, instead of being greeted by my dad’s usual grin, I find my mom wiping down the bar. Big Earl is at the other end of the bar, talking with one of his many fishing buddies.
“What are you doing here? Where’s Dad?”
“Didn’t he tell you he was heading out for a few days?” A confused expression crosses her face until the realization hits moments later. Of course, he didn’t; it’s a subject my father and I don’t discuss.
Ever.
My body tenses and the anger that has settled in my bones over the last two years attempts to resurface. For the last few weeks, I have been finding it harder to keep in check.
“He didn’t mention it,” I say quietly, trying not to bring any unneeded attention to our conversation.
I would hate to try to explain to Big Earl in his very intoxicated state where my father is.
However, that fear seems unnecessary. Big Earl is talking a mile a minute without noticing that his buddy has most definitely fallen asleep, let alone even noticed that I have come back to the bar.
“Do you want to talk about it? I know you don’t agree with his choices, but it’s something he feels he needs to do and…”
“No.”
She lets out a defeated sigh. “Well, if you can handle this,” she motions to the clean and prepped bar, “I’ll head home.
It’s late, but I think I’ll work in my shop for a bit.
” I know this is all hard for her too, but I can’t find any words to comfort her.
I simply nod and turn my back to the wall of liquor.
Thirty minutes later, guests and locals start drifting in, raving about the show and the fireworks.
Elle jumps behind the bar to help me out.
Slowly, I feel myself relax a bit. I have always liked working on the Fourth of July.
People are happy, the lake feels alive this time of year, and though most days I curse the fact that I had to come back to this place, I can’t help but feel a little nostalgic.
Then she walks in, and that relaxed mood walks out.
She’s surrounded by a cloud of people, consisting mostly of my friends. My jaw tenses, and once again, I don’t know why, but I am annoyed by how easily she has worked her way into my circle. My annoyance quickly turns to rage when I see Nick following close behind.
The crowd approaches the bar, and I single out Everly, Nick, and Alex immediately.
“Don’t even try it.”
“Well, aren’t you just a party of fun tonight,” Alex says, plopping down at one of the tables. She’s trying to be playful, no doubt, and as much as I love her, Alex’s constant good attitude can be fucking irritating when I am in no mood for games.
“I don’t give a shit,” I shoot back, making it crystal clear that I’m not playing her game.
A few guests look my way, and I quickly glance at Everly, who is sitting across from Alex on Nick’s knee. He scoffs and quietly says something to his friend, who I recognize but don’t care enough to remember his name. Everly’s eyes meet mine, but my expression stays cold.
I don’t have time for this shit. I have no idea how or why I let this woman work her way into my head, but it’s ridiculous.
I barely know her and have actively tried not to get to know her.
But here I am, fucking worked up that she’s sitting on another dude’s lap.
My temper has been a damn roller coaster since she arrived, and it’s time for me to get off this ride.
“You okay, Hux?” Kenny brings my thoughts back to the bar.
“I’m just sick of underage douchebags taking up tables.” I grab him another beer and set it down in front of him.
He looks over his shoulder and then back at me. “Ah. All right, bud, but don’t forget we were those underage douchebags like two summers ago.”
I glare at him as I take care of a couple looking very much in love. Ashlee is at the other end of the bar chatting with Elle and a few other of our friends. She looks beautiful tonight, confident, and sun-kissed, yet I find the idea of indulging in her no longer the release I’m looking for.
Everly has seeped into every corner of my mind, ruining any bit of refuge I once had.
“I think everyone is planning to head to Nick’s after this. His parents are on the other side of the lake with some friends for the night. Are you going to join us once you close up? Pretty sure Ashlee is coming,” he says, clearly trying to entice me.
“No.”
“Man, what is up with you lately? I know shit is complicated with your family, but relax a little.”
I’m about to explain how my idea of a good time isn’t going to some twenty-year-old’s parents’ summer house with a bunch of drunk college kids that don’t have anything better to do, but up until a few weeks ago, that’s exactly what I would be doing.
“Dude, I’m sorry, I just have a lot on my mind lately.” Kenny looks like he is about to ask more, but someone from the douche table lets out a whistle in an attempt to get my attention .
They have got to be fucking kidding me.
“Let it go, Hux.” Kenny stands as I come around the bar, blowing past him, my stare deadlocked on Nick.
“What can I do for you?” seethes through my teeth. I come within inches of his face, and it is taking every ounce of strength I have to not throw this whole group out of the bar.
“Sorry, man, Riley here has had a bit too much fun at the fireworks and must have forgotten his manners.” Nick smiles, which I’m sure in my right mind I would see as the genuine smile that it is, but not tonight.
Everly is still perched on his knee, meaning she is literally between him and me.
Her eyes are cast down at her hands in her lap.
“We were just hoping to get him a sandwich or something, see if we could sober him up a bit.”
“What you could get him is a ride home and get the fuck out of my bar.” The room quiets at my bark, but I’m too furious to care.
“Jesus, Hux, what has gotten into you?” Alex comes up behind me, and I wish she hadn’t because now she is in the path of my uncontained wrath. I spin around to look at her.
“Do you and your little friend here still want a job? Because if you do, I suggest you take these frat pack douchebags out of here. Now.” At this point, I’m not talking loudly, I’m full-on yelling. “I don’t have time for this college bullshit, hot girl summer fantasy you two are dying to create.”
At this, a few of the locals laugh, but most of the guests stare blankly, and the older clientele look appalled by our inappropriate antics. I meet Everly’s eyes only for a second before she rushes past me and out the door. It was just long enough for me to see the tears forming.
Shit.
Elle rushes over, firmly grabbing my arm. “What the hell was that? You need to go cool off.” Not much riles Elle up, but I can tell by her tone she’s pissed.
I start to make excuses, but all I can see are those tears forming in Everly’s eyes.
Frustrating her is one thing; actually, it’s a wicked turn-on, but now she looks hurt and embarrassed.
All because of my dumbass behavior. I hastily run my hands through my hair, and before I can stop myself, I push past Elle out into the night air.
I round the corner of the lodge toward the parking lot and just about run over Everly.
She’s kneeling on the side of the building, digging through her purse.
The glow bracelets on her wrists reflect the light green of her eyes.
She sees me and quickly stands, briskly walking toward Alex’s car parked in the lot.
“Wait,” I say gruffly as I catch her wrist in my hand. This side of the lodge is dark, but I can still see the tracks of tears that have run along her cheeks. “Look, I’m sorry, I don’t know what got into me back there, it’s just…”
“It’s just what, Hux?” She turns fast, her chest heaving.
“I got the message a week ago that you want nothing to do with me, but I didn’t realize how much the sight of me must disgust you until tonight.
” She refuses to look me in the eyes. “Trust me, from now on, I won’t step foot here except for my work shifts. ”
She tries to remove my hand from her wrist, but when her fingers interlace with mine, it’s too much for me to handle.
I quickly tilt her chin up, staring into her sad green eyes before my lips crash into hers.
I push her up against the lodge wall and press my body into hers, needing to be as close as I possibly can.
Her mouth parts with a gasp, and I take my chance to greet her tongue with mine.
Everything about her stirs a hunger within me that I didn’t know I had.
She wraps her arms around my neck, reassuring me she feels it too.
I lift her up, and she wraps her legs around my waist, causing me to groan into her mouth. She feels so fucking good.
One hand travels up the back of her thigh, and my fingertips slide between her and the edge of her shorts.
The other hand slips beneath her tank top and trails its way up her goose-bumped skin to her braless breast. My fingers circle and tug on her hard nipple, making her involuntarily whimper.
Her hands are in my hair, pulling me even closer to her, our mouths never slowing down as I caress every inch of her body that I can.
That is until we hear the screen door slam above us and the faint voices of Alex and the rest of the group walking out onto the deck. I slowly lower Everly to the ground as we both pant, trying to catch our breaths. I press my forehead to the wall behind her and close my eyes.
“I should probably go,” she whispers. I still haven’t recovered enough to reply. She waits a moment, and when I give no response, she continues in the direction of Alex’s car.
“Hey!” I quietly call out as she approaches the parking lot and comes into the light of the front of the lodge. She stops and looks over her shoulder. We stare at one another for a moment, our lips swollen, our expressions unreadable, and then a small smirk spreads across my face.
She lets out a sigh and rolls her eyes at me. Shaking her head, she turns back around and continues to the car.