Chapter 22
Emalyn
Kade and I stare as Vanessa and Ronan head away from the bar. I glance over at him. When he notices me looking, he clears his throat and turns back to the bar.
“Can we go somewhere? To talk?”
“Just talk?” He quirks a brow, and gives me a flirty smile that used to stir the butterflies in my belly. Wasting no time, he leads me through the crowd with a hand on my lower back.
We find a little alcove, out of the way and semi-private. He presses me against the wall, nose trailing along my jaw as he inhales.
“Smell so good, baby.” He murmurs, planting kisses. I push him back with my hands on his shoulders.
I swallow the nerves and exhale a slow counter breath.
“Kade…Listen. Stop for a second please. I really meant I wanted to talk.” My fingers twist together nervously. I get to the point, unable to drag out my own anxiousness any longer. “I think we should end this.”
“What? Why?” He pulls me closer, maybe instinctually before releasing me. Dragging a hand through his hair, he takes a small step back. As much as the small alcove will allow.
“You’re a great guy—“ His hand raised in the hair cuts me off as his face twists into a sarcastic grimace.
“Please.” He scoffs, before that outstretched hand somehow turns into a finger pointing in my face as he spits out, “Don’t give me the ‘it’s not you, it’s me’ line. Why invite me out tonight? Just to break up with me in public?”
I barely hear the words he speaks, as my focus is trained on the finger trained on me. I slap his hand out of my face.
“Don’t ever point in my face like that again, Kade.
” I scowl. My arms cross against my chest. This was supposed to be an easy let down.
Obviously, I’m an idiot for trying to do this here.
I thought I could pretend a little longer.
Until when? I’m not sure. It’s not like there’s a specific end date to Ro being in my life. He’s my best friend.
Tucking his hands in his pockets, he clears his throat awkwardly.
“So, this is it then.”
It’s not a question.
I only nod in answer. It’s a shitty feeling, considering he’s a good guy. For the most part. Until he put his finger in my face like that.
Slinking out of the alcove before him, I find Alli at the bar. She is talking to some of the Bruisers.
“There needs to be a turn out like this for our hospital fundraiser. I’m telling you, we could raise so much money for those families.
” She enthralls the players with her enthusiasm for the cause, making them feel like it’s more their idea than hers.
It’s a real talent. “Come on, Fitz. I know you’ve got that second account for your biker thirst traps. Post a call to action…”
I can’t help the giggle that escapes as Fitz turns pink at the mention of his account. Poor Alli can’t keep a secret to save her life. Ronan shared that with us after he’d been snooping on Fitz’s phone for blackmail. They go back and forth with pranks and harmless jabs.
He turns on his heel and walks away before she’s done talking.
“Oh, crap.” She smacks her forehead turning to me with a chuckle. “I forgot.”
“Yep.”
“He’s totally going to yell at Ronan.”
“Definitely.”
She lets her head tilt back dramatically on a sigh.
Turning, she picks her glass up from the bar to take a healthy gulp.
It’s only water, but she seems to pretend it’s something stronger.
Presley appears out of nowhere, leaning one hip against the bar.
The bartender is sliding her a cocktail before she’s even asked for it.
Though I’m pretty sure she’s barely twenty one– if that.
She shoots him a friendly smile and accepts the drink.
There is one singular hair out of place that she easily swipes down with one pass of her hand.
Her pinky swipes at the edge of her red lip stick making it perfectly sharp again as she scans the room.
Alli and I exchange an amused glance with each other before following her line of sight.
Alli lets out an indignant snort as I nearly choke on my drink.
Across the room, running a hand through his hair to smooth it and failing miserably, is Ryan.
He has lipstick on his collar, near his crooked tie and his cheeks are still flushed a deep red.
He is more than kiss drunk. Ripley looks concerned until he looks him up and down.
He smacks Ryan on the back of the head before pulling him to the side of the room.
“Damn, girl. He looks like he got devoured.” I chuckle.
“Hm, lucky boy.” Presley smirks, looking perfectly poised. My chuckles turn to a cackle, joined by Alli.
We play a game, making up life stories about some of the guests we don't know– what they do, their love life and that sort of thing. It feels more like a girls night out than a fundraising gala, maybe because someone else is working it besides us for once.
Alli’s phone pings with a text. She scans it quickly before glancing up at me.
“It’s Matty. He says Poppy is whining a lot. The usual treats and games aren't working.” She waves Ronan over just as I speak.
“It’s okay. I’ll go,” I offer. Ronan materializes next to us not a moment later.
“Go where?” His pouty little frown hits me right in the chest.
“To get Poppy. Separation anxiety–remember?” I sass him.
It’s a defense mechanism to keep from pulling him to me at any given moment and I’m ninety percent sure that he’s fully aware of it.
His smirk as he tilts his head toward me confirms it.
It’s like it activates his flirty side every time. A special kind of torture.
“Of course, I remember, Emmy,” He murmurs pointedly.
I nearly gasp at his blatant use of that nickname.
The one that has me envisioning him on his knees between my legs, The flare of his eyes tells me he knows it.
That was his intention wasn't it? Heat coils in my belly, and I squeeze my thighs together instinctually.
Deflect, deflect— Deflect dammit!
I roll my eyes and scoff.
“Good. I would hope you would remember our daughter!” I joke, since he’s been calling me Poppy’s mommy.
“Always, Emmy. I love our little family.” He grins.
The way he talks, like it's a vulnerable truth bubble-wrapped in humor sits in my chest. Heavy with an uncomfortable ache of longing. Sometimes I wish he would just set aside the humor. Do the hard thing first so I could do it second. That totally makes me a hypocrite. It’s the truth though. I’m a full blooded coward.
“We need to talk later.” I want to snatch the words out of the air. My hand twitches at my side as I fight the urge to slap my hand over my mouth. Instead, I square my shoulders and summon the most minuscule ounce of confidence that flows from Alli and Presley.
Alli’s eyes are wide over Ronan’s shoulder as they ping pong back and forth. Ronan’s eyes narrow on me for a moment, as something crosses his face, It’s gone before I can name it.
“Why are we marinating a conversation?” He holds his hands out at his sides, looking nearly giddy– like he saw my fleeting determination and it was the Stanley Cup itself.
“Because Poppy needs me right now.” I shake my head and link arms with Alli. I give a finger wave over my shoulder, feeling his gaze on me the whole way. I may let my hips sway. What? My ass looks amazing in this dress.
“You and Presley.” Alli shakes her head with a grin.