Chapter 14 #2
Here it is, why would he? I’m temporarily stunned.
My lips part as my eyes flit between her and Walker.
“You’re right, he shouldn’t want me. He’s damn well close to perfect.
” I drag my eyes over his body. “But the way I feel when I’m in his hands.
The woman I am when he kisses me. The man he’s capable of being in those moments. That’s exactly why he’s here.”
“You’re temporary, honey,” she spits at me. “He’s fucked better.”
“That’s it.” Walker manhandles her, spinning her around in a flash as he yanks her from the deck.
“What the fuck was that?” I shake, my face reddening. Anger boils in my gut. I stagger to the door and stumble through.
“Crazy bitch,” Alden hisses and I step into his arms. “Are you all right?”
“Did everyone hear?”
“It was a sight to behold.” His brows shoot into his hairline.
“I’m so embarrassed. Please, get me outta here,” I mumble through my building tears.
“Are you okay?” Ava asks. I mutely shake my head. “What’s going on?”
“I’m not sure.” I shrug. “Well, not entirely. What’s going on with him?”
She purses her lips and pulls the chair across from me out. “I think it’s best to hear it from him.”
“If he’ll tell me.”
Riley joins us, standing behind Ava. “He’s gone.”
“Did he leave with her?”
“Yeah.” His hand lands on Ava’s shoulder. She takes it in hers.
“I see.” I swallow hard. “He thinks he’ll hurt me. I told him he couldn’t. I was wrong.”
“Walker has a way of kicking his own ass enough for everyone,” Ava says.
“I can see that about him.” I lick my dry lips. “But when he walks away from me, it’s been a sore spot since my dad left us.”
“I warned you. I told you to tell him,” Alden huffs, sitting beside me.
“I know, I know.” I put my hand up to stop him. “I wanted to get to know him, but with us, everything goes off the rails.” My stomach rolls, making me nauseous.
Ava drags in a ragged breath. “He’s complicated. Such an amazing man who will forever berate himself for his misgivings, I’m afraid.”
I glare at her. “Well, it’s not like I’ve had a ton of experience with men like Walker.”
“What do you mean?” Ava leans in.
“Look at me.” I wave my hand up and down my body. “It’s not like I thought he’d be interested.”
“Yeah, he’s not that guy either,” Riley quips.
My chest caves with heaviness. Still, I look him in the eye. “What guy? One who likes fat girls?”
“No, a girl like you.” Riley inclines his head at me.
“What Riley is trying, but failing, to say is that Walker likes you as you are,” Ava explains.
“He made that clear.” I rub my fingers across my lips, thinking of Walker’s on mine. “It doesn’t matter. He left with her.”
“He didn’t want to. It was a knee-jerk reaction,” Riley says.
“Yeah, well, he’s definitely a jerk.”
“Most people just call him an asshole.” Riley grins at me.
“He’s that too.” I smirk at him. “But I like me a jerk with a little asshole tendency.”
“It’s your lucky day ‘cause my brother fits the bill.” Riley laughs.
“He’s not that bad.”
“On second thought, you might want to wait on your opinion of him,” Alden says.
“You think he’s gonna sleep with her?” I wrinkle my nose at the thought.
“No.” Ava stands, placing her hands on her hips. “He doesn’t want her. Your concern should be if he’ll allow himself to come back to you.”
“Why do you like him?” Alden cocks a brow at me.
“Shut it.” I slap at him. “I need to know what happened. If we have any semblance of hope, he has to open up to me.”
“Hang in there. He’s a better man than he even knows,” Riley says, joining Ava’s side.
“Be patient but give in. He’ll test your every nerve.” She winks at me.
“Just when I thought we had come to an understanding.” My mind goes to the kiss, and I can’t help but hope.
“Know this, when a Pennington man decides what he wants, he’ll stop at nothing to get it.” Ava wraps me in a hug. “Let’s do lunch.”
“Promise.” She narrows her eyes at me. “Scouts honor.” I hold up three fingers.
“Sounds good. Goodnight.” Ava and Riley wave as they leave.
“Let’s go home, troublemaker.” Alden rises from his chair, offering his hand.
Just then, a gorgeous brunette approaches us. “Excuse me. I don’t mean to intrude.”
“Yes, she does.” A large, nice looking man stands to her side.
“Oh, hush. I couldn’t help but notice you were with Walker. Walker Pennington,” she says.
My eyes grow wide. “Yes.” Again, I find my stomach rolling with angst.
“I know this seems odd and...” The big guy next to her grunts. “I wanted to say he’s a good guy.”
“Temperamental.”
She elbows the guy before he can say another word. “He’s a good man. Don’t let him scare you away.” Her forehead creases.
“We’re not together.” I hesitate. “We work together, that’s all.”
“Take my word for it. There’s more to it where Walker’s concerned. Y’all have a good night.” She touches my arm with a smile as she walks past us.
“I know one thing; this place is cray cray.” Alden’s brows shoot up. “And full of hot women. Damn.”
“Seriously?” I glare at him. “I mean, right?”
“You gotta admit, the gene pool is deep around here.” He scans the room.
“You’re not so bad yourself, ya know?”
“Ditto, babe.” He offers me his arm, and we stroll out the door.