Savage
“Shit,” he grumbled and sat down next to Bowie. He looked down at the end of the bar to where Dallas mean-mugged him and had the nerve to laugh.
“Wow,” Bowie whistled under his breath. “So, whatever you did to that woman must have been big, if she hasn’t forgiven you in a year.”
“Sure thing,” Mike agreed and nodded to Bowie.
“You new here?” he asked.
“Yeah,” Bowie said. “New to the area, really. I’m at Redstone Arsenal.” Mike grunted, and Bowie smiled.
“Well, women around these parts seem to burst into flames around guys in uniform. Just watch yourself with the piranhas at the end of the bar. One of the chicks is getting married, but they seem to be out for a good time. Just a fair warning; unless you’re looking for something like that.
” Mike looked between Bowie and Savage as if trying to assess what was going on between the two of them, and Savage growled.
“Thanks, Mike,” he barked, all but dismissing the guy. Bowie laughed again, and he wondered what was so funny, but he had a feeling he wouldn’t like Bowie’s answer. So, he didn’t bother asking.
“Are you always so grumbly?” Bowie accused.
“No,” Savage quickly defended, shooting him a look that probably told him he was lying. Bowie held up his hands as if in defense.
“Okay, man,” he said. “No need to bite my head off. If you want to go somewhere else, we can. Hell, we can go back to my apartment. I have beer there.” Bowie shot him a wolfish grin, making Savage smile.
“I’m good here,” Savage lied. He could feel Dallas’ eyes boring into the back of his head, and he wasn’t sure what the hell to do about her.
“Liar,” Bowie challenged. “That sexy blonde has you squirming in your seat. It’s hot, really—the thought of you with her. I just don’t want to cause any trouble. Does she know?”
“Know what?” Savage asked, playing dumb.
Bowie sighed. “Does she know that you date guys?” he whispered.
“No,” Savage breathed. He sucked down half his beer and shot a look across the bar to where Dallas was still giving him the stink-eye.
“You ghost her or something?” Bowie teased, and Savaged winced. “Fuck, man,” Bowie spat. “You didn’t fucking ghost that hot woman sitting at the end of the bar?”
“I did, and can you keep it down, man?” Savage said.
“I’m pretty sure she can’t hear me over this God-awful honky-tonk music and the ruckus her girlfriends are making. Why did you do it?” Bowie asked.
“Because she would never be enough for me,” Savage admitted.
It was the truest thing he had said to Bowie, and he worried that made him sound like an ass.
“We had been on a few dates, and I really liked her, but then I realized that if I dated her—you know, just her—I’d be denying half of myself. You know what I mean?”
Bowie nodded like he understood exactly what Savage was talking about, and he realized that he had just assumed the guy was gay.
“You like women, too?” Savage asked.
“Yep,” Bowie admitted.” In fact, I haven’t been with many men.
It was easier to deny that part of who I was while I was living so close to home.
I didn’t start exploring that side of my sexuality until I was stationed here.
I had been on a few dates with men, but not a lot.
So, I do get what you’re talking about, man. ”
Savage sat back in his barstool and waved the bartender back over.
“We’ll take two more and buy the ladies at the end of the bar another round on me,” he said.
Mike nodded and walked back down to where the loud group of women sat, and when he announced that Savage wanted to buy them a round of drinks, they all squealed and cheered.
Well, everyone except Dallas. She shot him a look that could stop most men dead in their tracks, but he wasn’t most men.
Dallas stood from her stool and started toward them, and Bowie cursed. “Um, I’m pretty sure the shit is about to hit the fucking fan now, Savage,” he said. Savage had a bad feeling that Bowie was right.
He held his breath, second-guessing every decision he had made that day, right down to asking Bowie out and buying Dallas’ friends a round of drinks.
Yep, he was thoroughly fucked, and all he wanted to do was get the hell out of there.
Savage stood and threw down a hundred-dollar bill, knowing that it would cover his tab, and smiled at Bowie.
“That offer to get a beer at your place still stand?” Savage asked.
Bowie smiled and nodded. “Sure,” he said. “But, for the record, you’re being a chicken.” He looked across the bar to where Dallas was making her way across the crowded dance floor and sighed. Bowie was right, but he didn’t give a fuck. Better to leave as a chicken than face his ex’s wrath.
“Yep,” he breathed. “Ready?” He held out his hand for Bowie, knowing he might be sending not only Dallas but everyone who was currently watching the exchange between them a clear sign that the two of them were together.
Bowie took his hand, and they made their way to the front of the bar.
Just as Savage stepped out of the doorway and into the night, he looked back to find Dallas watching him, frozen in her spot with her mouth gaping wide open.
Yeah, she had gotten the message, loud and clear—he was leaving the bar with Bowie, and there would be no backtracking now.
There would be nothing he could do to erase the hatred and pain that he saw in her beautiful eyes.