Chapter 10 Jade
Jade
“Girl, you’re in deep with that one.” Ronnie shoulder-bumps me.
It’s rare she’s here near closing time these days.
But her crew is here celebrating. Rory, her man’s sister, officially graduated high school and has been accepted into a college out of state.
Their group is massive. They also threw this together last minute, which means we’re not really staffed for the nearly thirty top.
“You have no idea.” She’s been helping me with drink orders as well as running to the back to serve as many appetizers as our cook can keep up with.
“Well, as you can tell, if you ever need a few friends, you’re more than welcome to join our group.
We usually have coffee once a week at Oak now, it’s one of sticking to a promise not to butt into my life.
“Truce,” I reply.
“Good. Gonna grab my tab and Locke’s then head on out. He’s not as young as he used to be, something about needing sleep and shit.”
“Pot, meet kettle. You’re older than him by six months.
The difference is, you slept all day.” I take my hand back and move to the cash register to tally up their total, then to the kiosk to set up the payment.
Ronnie’s dad prefers the old-school way, while she prefers this century; they’ve settled on doing both, comparing what works more efficiently at the end of the year and going from there.
“Not wrong about that. Love you, sis.” Jace throws more cash down than necessary. I go about bringing him back the change, but he just shakes his head.
“Love you, too. Drive home safely, yeah?” I reply.
“You do the same.” That’s the end of our conversation.
My eyes watch as Locke pops off the barstool, meeting Jace halfway, and my man gives me a subtle nod of his head, mouthing the word sugar along the way.
It hits me square in the chest how amazing Locke is, and I’m the lucky woman who gets to have him.
--
I’m exhausted, mentally, physically, and emotionally. Everything is hitting me all at once, and the guilt is eating me alive.
I should go home, shower, and sleep for a solid eight hours, but I know my overactive mind. Rest won’t come. I’ll toss and turn, get hot and sweaty, and be even more miserable.
And while I’m sitting in Locke’s truck at the back of The Social, the lights off, the bar closed down, I do the only thing any woman would do: I text my man.
I’d call him, but if he’s asleep, I don’t want to wake him up.
And while I have a key to his place, I still have manners.
Plus, I’ve seen the self-defense he packs at his house, and I don’t want to be on the receiving end if I catch him unaware.
Me: Hey, are you awake?
I turn the key in the ignition, firing up the truck. The weather is nice enough that I’m not overly hot or freezing cold, so it’s been fine to sit without wasting gas. I did at least lock myself in.
Locke: Yeah, sugar. You home?
Me: No, just got out. Do you mind if I come over?
Locke: You don’t ever have to ask. There’s a reason I gave you a key, Jade. I want you to use it.
Me: Be there soon.
Locke: I’ll be waiting.
A quick click of my seatbelt, tossing my phone in my bag, and pulling out of the parking spot, out of the lot, and getting on the road are the only things I’m focused on.
Even when my phone connects to the Bluetooth, blaring a heavy metal song turned up way too loud, it still doesn’t bother me.
Nope, I’ve got other shit on my mind, and the only person who can shut me up is ten minutes away.
It’s going to be the longest drive of my life.