Chapter 16
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
Trees pass me in a blur as the mid-spring sun heats up the windshield of my car, feeling warm against my skin.
The radio blares, the wind through my open windows whipping my hair around my face in a fiery cyclone, and I breathe in the fresh mountain air.
On my days off I like to go back to Bend to get coffee from my favorite coffee shop and today is one of those days.
Usually, this drive is peaceful, a reset.
But the last forty-eight hours have been anything but peaceful.
They’ve been silent. I haven’t heard from Karson since I ran out of his penthouse, and it’s making me uneasy.
No texts, no calls, and nothing mysteriously vanishing at my loft.
Nothing. I’ve been a little on edge, waiting for him to pop up out of nowhere like the damned boogeyman, but it hasn’t happened.
I should be relieved, but something else twists in my gut–something I don't want to acknowledge so I turn up the radio.
The music comes to a slow, the radio show host starts talking as the song fades into the background about an upcoming concert at the Perdition Hotel and Casino for one of the bands that Parker and I love.
One of the perks of being an employee there is a handsome discount to all events on the property.
I’ll text her about it when I get to the coffee shop.
Coming up to my exit, the radio betrays me when the host announces his exit for the day and the next song starts.
One stupid guitar note, and I’m fifteen again, sitting on a lumpy mattress with Karson’s shoulder under my cheek.
Heat flares in my cheeks, anger bubbling in my chest as my fist meets the screen, causing it to spiderweb.
But unfortunately, not stopping the song.
Fucking perfect.
I look down at my screaming knuckles to see the middle one bleeding.
“God damnit,” I mutter and bring the split skin to my lips, sucking the blood off as I approach the stop light.
It turns green and I make a right, then a left before pulling the car to a stop in front of the shop. Pushing the button to turn off the engine, I go to exit as my phone dings. Grabbing it, the text only adds to my pissy mood.
Melissa
You missed the charity event. Again. Do you enjoy embarrassing your father? This is not how I raised you.
I scoff. She can fuck all the way off.
Hurling the brick down on the floorboard of the passenger seat, I take a deep breath to try to rein in my emotions before going inside. My chest expands as I suck in as much air as possible, then hold it for as long as I can, not letting it out before my lungs beg for relief and I feel dizzy.
After finally going inside and getting myself a large latte, I sit at one of the pub height tables next to the window, letting the warmth of my drink soothe my erratic nerves.
I stare out the window letting my mind go blank.
The hushed chatter of the shop is a welcome distraction, forgetting about the text and Karson’s absence.
After an hour, I polish off my drink and decide to head back home.
The sun is starting to set and I’m craving a movie night topped off with baggy sweats, wine and a bucket of popcorn the size of my head.
Dropping into my driver's seat, I turn over the engine before leaning over the center console to fish my phone off the floorboard. I curse under my breath when I can’t immediately find it.
I really need to have a staff meeting with pissed off Ashlynn, she really knows how to sour my mood when I’ve finally calmed down.
My fingers graze the phone and I have to grab for it a few times before it’s finally firmly in my grasp. Righting myself in the driver's seat, I buckle my seatbelt and check the notifications before getting back on the highway. Another missed text, this time from my manager.
Isla
Hey girl. I hate to ask this on your night off, but one of the bartenders didn’t show up for her shift. Is there any way you can come in tonight?
Me
Sure. Give me an hour and I’ll be there.
Isla
You’re a lifesaver, Ash. Thank you!
Dropping my phone on the passenger seat, I put the car in drive.
There goes my movie night.
Nearly midnight, the party in Rapture is in full swing with no signs of slowing down.
Turns out, a movie night isn't what I needed.
This was. Loud music, slinging drinks and other peoples chatter is the perfect remedy to the solitude I thought I craved earlier.
Dropping a few dirty glasses in the sink, I return back to my corner, and pause when I see the person on the other side.
He flashes his straight, pearly whites at me, blue eyes glittering with excitement.
“Hey kiddo!” The familiar voice shouts over the music.
“Andy! What are you doing here?” It’s the first time I feel like I’ve smiled all week, and warmth spreads in my chest. My adoptive cousin lifts a shoulder. He’s the son of Melissa’s brother, and the only person that was actually kind to me after they brought me to their home.
“Some of the guys from work have been trying to get me to come here since this place opened. Tonight I finally gave in. I’m glad I did though, I haven’t seen you in so long,” he sighs. “Your mom’s pissed at you again I hear?”
“Number one, that wench is not my mother. Number two, I don’t care,” I tell him. He laughs, shaking his head then giving me a wink.
“She can eat shit for all I care. All of ‘em can. That event was just another one of their bullshit PR stunts anyway. It was boring as hell. You didn't miss anything.” Andy has never liked his own family. They’re miserable people who treat their children like shit. It’s how he and I bonded.
“Anyway,” he says before tossing back the rest of his beer. “I was on my way out the door and saw you, so I had to stop and say hey. Miss you, kiddo. Let’s hang out soon.”
“Definitely. Text me when you have free time.” I smile. He places his bottle down on the counter as a new hoard of people surround him. He gives me a wave and exits the club.
Even though I dreaded coming in for a shift, I’m glad I did.
Andy became my rock, my safe place and my best friend when we were teenagers.
He was hurt by my decision to try and cut myself off from the Steele family when I turned eighteen, but he understood why.
Not that I’ve ever been able to completely go no contact with them.
Melissa will never allow it. Only when she’s beneath the dirt will I ever be free of them.
We’ve stayed in touch through texts and social media, but we’ve always worked opposite shifts. He’s not a partier by any means, so it just meant getting together was even harder given I’ve been bartending since I turned twenty-one.
Looking over my shoulder, Cole stands at the end of the bar watching me with pinched eyebrows. Facing him straight on, I pin him down with a glare. He moves toward me, and I throw my hands on my hips.
“Who the hell was that?” Cole asks.
“I don’t know, just a customer,” I lie. “Why?”
“Seems like someone you know, judging by the smile on your face.”
“Nope. Just a nice guy. I have to play nice, Cole, remember? I don't get tips if I’m a bitch to the customers,” I explain dryly.
I like Cole, but he works with Karson and I don't need him knowing about my cousin. If nothing else, to keep Andy from becoming a target for his menacing behavior. He’s too good for that.
Cole watches me cautiously for any hint of deception.
“Alright.” He nods, satisfied with my answer, then turns to go back to his post.
The last few hours of the night fly by. It was the busiest it’s been in a while, and my feet demand that I get off of them. We shut Rapture down, and I make my way to the elevator to the parking garage, ready to climb into bed.
Reaching out, I go to push the button as the elevator dings, and I hold my breath.
I knew it was too good to be true. He finally figured out I was here, and decided to meet me at the threshold of freedom once again.
The doors open, and a pang of disappointment hits as a couple laughs, arms wrapped around one another as they push past me.
I step inside, press the button for my level and lean against the wall.
I was certain it was going to be Karson. I should feel relieved it wasn’t, but I’m pissed off now. Why no texts or calls? Why was he not looming in his booth tonight like he always does? And worst of all…why am I bothered by it?
Exiting the elevator, I storm toward my car. I shouldn’t be mad he’s done the exact thing I’ve begged him to do for over a year–leave me alone. But I am, and it only adds fuel to the anger I feel. Angry at him. Angry at myself for caring that he’s disappeared.
My steps begin to slow as I come up to my row, the hairs on the back of my neck rising, and it’s not because of the chilly morning air. Someone’s watching me.
My shoulders sag, my head drops, and I let out a harsh breath. I don’t even have time to figure out why I was feeling disappointed before, or why I feel relief now, before he comes and fucks my mind up even more.
Whirling around, I see him leaning against a pillar two parking spaces behind me. He flashes an amused grin, and my stomach flips.
“Hey, doll.”
Shit.