I had insisted on driving so Katie could drink all she wants, but she wouldn’t hear of it, saying this was my celebratory evening, and I was in no way going to be Sober Sally. We climb into her BMW sports car and fly off into downtown.
We arrive at Dave’s and walk right in leaving our coats with coat check. Katie greets some people inside and a few familiar faces smile at me. I’m not quite sure who they are, but I’m positive at one point in my life I knew them. We make it up to the bar to order. Katie orders a glass of champagne for herself and a Cosmo for me. “Cheers! To new adventures and opportunities,” she says as her glass clinks mine.
Katie makes a face as she sips her champagne. “Is the champagne bad?” I ask her confused.
“Ugh, no. Don’t worry about it. Just saw someone I don’t like.” I turn to follow her gaze and see a familiar face behind the bar. I look back at Katie, confused as to why she would look at the woman with such distaste.
“Hey ladies. Ava it’s so nice to see you again. I hadn’t realized you were back.” The woman says smiling sardonically. I’m not sure how to take it.
“Hi Kasey,” Katie says dryly. I’m clearly missing something here. Kasey? I think to myself. She looks familiar and her name… Oh! She’s the girl who would always hit on Ethan when we were in college. I now understand her greeting and Katie’s distasteful expression. I can only think that there is something going on between her and Ethan by Katie’s reaction.
“Sorry, I didn’t remember she worked here.” Katie whispers to me.
“It’s fine. Am I missing something? Wasn’t she the girl who always hit on Ethan?” I ask unsure if I want a confirmation.
“Yeah, that’s the bitch. I can’t stand her,” Katie replies with disgust.
“What’s going on? Why do you hate her so much?”
“Don’t worry. I’ll tell you another day.”
“No! Tell me now, or I’m only going to think the worst. Are she and Ethan dating?” I fidget.
“No, it’s not like that. But she was the first girl he slept with after you two broke up. Sorry Ava, I should’ve been more careful about where to go tonight.”
I swallow hard, removing images of Ethan and Kasey fucking. “It’s fine. You said it yourself; I can’t let that stop me from doing things and enjoying myself. I can ignore her.” We continue walking down the bar and take a seat at a small round table with two chairs. We sip our drinks and talk about different things while Katie scopes out the guys. I keep a watch on the door waiting for Aiden and Matt to arrive.
As we continue to talk, I feel my heart rate quicken with nerves. I take another look at the door, but I don’t see either Matt or Aiden. The person who catches my eye is Ethan. I mean seriously, can I catch a break? He’s making his way towards us, Dan and Jess behind him stopping at the bar to order drinks. Dan sees me and smiles.
My eyes are wide, my breathing heavy, and my palms are sweating.
“Hi,” he says beaming at me, his green eyes twinkling in the dim light of the bar.
“Hey,” I reply dryly, looking at Katie who just shrugs with indifference.
“Hi Ethan,” she says and turns her attention elsewhere.
“You look beautiful. Mind if I join you?” He says readying himself to grab a chair and take a seat with us.
“Actually, I do mind. I’m expecting someone.” I say, raising an eyebrow at him.
“Oh,” he stammers and quickly composes himself. “That’s okay, the more the merrier.” He looks delectable in a pair of perfect fitted jeans, a black button down shirt rolled up to his elbows fitting him like a glove. His short hair is combed slightly to the side. He smiles at me again, showing off those gorgeous dimples and light freckles across his nose and cheeks. He has stubble on his jaw and chin giving him the scruffy look, making him look older. He is older. His full lips frame his perfect white teeth, drawing me in by the second.
I feel heat rise up and down my body, filling me with wanton desire.
“Ethan…” I warn. “I made myself clear yesterday. I’m not interested.” I look for Dan to drag him back. Dan just shrugs and smiles. Bastard! Of course his best friend won’t stop him from talking to me.
“And I made myself very clear. I’m not going to stop fighting. Call tonight’s meeting chance, kismet. I didn’t know you’d be here, but here you are in front of me. Close enough to touch you, smell you, talk to you.” His breathing falters a bit as he takes a seat. I can see the affect I have on him and am stunned that he truly feels this way after all this time. “By the way, that dress looks exceptional on you. You truly are gorgeous,” he whispers in my ear, leaving a trail of goose bumps down my neck.
I squirm involuntarily at his closeness, causing heat to pool in my core again and rise up my spine. I hate that he still has this control over me. I’m sure he’s the reason I didn’t enjoy my date with Matt. We’re staring at each other, searching the other for answers to unspoken questions, lost in a trance of our own doing.
“Ava?” I hear someone pull me out of my reverie. I look up and catch Matt looking between us.
“Matt!” I exclaim nervously and jump off my chair. “Hi, how are you?” I notice Ethan sit back in his chair exhaling loudly as he fists his hands.
“I’m doing well. Congratulations on the job. Katie told me. You deserve it.” He smiles his award-winning smile and kisses me on the cheek. I thank him, smiling back. I feel Ethan’s eyes on me, widening with the news of my new job probably, but choose to ignore him for the remainder of the night. I’m trying to make an effort in getting to know Matt, and that won’t work if my attention is on Ethan.
As if noticing Ethan for the first time, Matt looks at him and says, “Ethan,” with a small nod. Ethan returns the gesture and sits back crossing his foot over his knee refusing to leave his spot at the table. Matt grabs another chair and sits on the other side of me catching up from the past few days.
“So when do you begin working?” Matt asks.
“On Monday. I’m excited to start. It’s my dream job.” I smile brightly. I’m ecstatic about my new job.
“That’s amazing. Maybe we can go out to dinner sometime next week and you can tell me how it goes.” He gives me his mega watt smile again, pearly whites and all. Jeez, does he practice that smile in the mirror? I feel Ethan tense on the other side of me.
“Yeah, that sounds nice. I’ll see how my schedule is once I begin,” I say, neither accepting nor rejecting his invitation. Let’s see how tonight goes. Ethan lets out a long exhale upon hearing my response.
“Great! There’s a restaurant I’d love to take you. Do you like Greek food?”
“I love it. I had the most delicious food while I was in Greece. Athens is great, but Mykonos is a dream. I indulged a bit while I was there and stayed at this captivating hotel overlooking the ocean and the powder white buildings perfectly placed on the slopes of the mountains like snowcaps. The restaurants line the ocean water and fresh seafood is served everywhere.”
“Wow, you paint it so perfectly, I feel like I’m there,” Matt says. Ethan clears his throat, and I see him roll his eyes from my peripheral vision. He’s probably thinking Matt is trying too hard or thinks his response is cheesy. I have to admit, it kind of is.
Matt and I continue talking. He’s telling me about work, his weekend plans, and some other stuff I miss. I hear Matt talking, but I have no idea what he’s really saying. I’m too focused on the feel of Ethan next to me, his reaction to Matt and my interaction. How he is trying to appear indifferent yet is hyperaware of what I’m saying and doing. The heat emanating from him. The desire I feel being so close to him. I squirm involuntarily at the memory of his touch on my skin. Maybe I just need to have sex with someone else to break this spell.
“Ava!” I hear Aiden yell out, disrupting my thoughts. I stand up from my chair to give him a hug, grateful for the interruption. “Congrats on the job, sis. You deserve it!” He smiles proudly at me. He looks around the table. “Matt, nice to see you. Kati
e, always a pleasure. Ethan.” He narrows his eyes at him in confusion and looks back at me. Katie has been busy chatting with a man she met while Ethan was expressing his will to fight for us. I’m not sure she’s noticed the awkwardness that is me having Ethan on one side and Matt on the other. Looking up to greet Aiden, she looks at me and at my sides, taking in the situation I’m in. She smiles apologetically.
“I’m going to get a drink at the bar. I’ll bring you a fresh round, Ava. Cosmopolitan?” He asks rhetorically. “Ethan, care to join me?” Aiden says gritting his teeth.
“Not really, Aiden, but if you will grab me a drink, a scotch on the rocks would be fabulous; Double Black extra ice.”
“Get your ass up,” Aiden demands. Aiden and Ethan exchange looks, somehow communicating. Ethan does as he says and stands up walking over to the bar with my brother.
What would have my brother so upset? I noticed his confusion when he first saw Ethan and Matt both sitting at the table, but now he just looks pissed. I don’t understand what Aiden would need to talk to Ethan about, besides leaving me alone. The exchange between them is somehow greater than Ethan annoying me or getting between Matt and I.
I stare off after them, curious about their conversation. I see my brother place his hand on Ethan’s shoulder and squeeze tightly. He seems tense. Before I return my attention back to Matt, Jess catches my eye and smiles warmly. I smile back knowing I got caught scrutinizing the situation. She seems really nice. Dan and her seem happy together from the quick interactions I’ve witnessed.
“So I was thinking that we go to Lights Out after here,” I hear Katie say. “What do you think, Ava?”
“What?” I look at her with questioning eyes. “Oh, yeah, sounds good,” I say distracted.
“What do you say, Matt?” I hear Katie ask him as she gives me a warning look. I got it, pay attention to Matt and leave Ethan alone. She’s so bossy sometimes. Fortunately, I can read her mind and she doesn’t have to say the words out loud.
“Sounds good,” Matt says smiling wide. I’m sure he’s relieved we’ll be leaving here soon, away from Ethan and my distractions.
Chapter 10
Ethan
“What the hell?” I ask Aiden annoyed for pulling me away from Ava’s side. It’s the longest I’ve been able to be near her in years. Her warmth has me mesmerized just from sitting close to her. I could smell her familiar scent of lavender and vanilla mixed with her unique fragrance; delectable. She looks absolutely stunning in her low cut, tight dress, tempting me to take a further look. At this rate my hand and my cock are going to become very well acquainted if she continues to shut me down.
“What are you doing?” Aiden asks in disbelief.
“Trying to spend time with Ava,” I state obviously. I mean I think I’ve shared with him more than necessary my need to be with her.
“No. What are you doing here? Did you forget Kasey works here? She’s been running her mouth about how you two fucked last weekend. I’m sure it’s to get Ava all riled up, not that I don’t believe her.” He looks at me accusingly.
“Wh-what?” Fuck! What a bitch. I need to shut her up before Ava hears, or get Ava out of here. Yeah, I like the second plan better. If only I can get her out of here, away from Matt, and be alone with her… kissing, touching, pleasing. Damn. Get a grip, Ethan. I peek over to the table and see her gently place her hand on Matt’s forearm. I thought she wasn’t interested. That doesn’t look like someone who isn’t interested. I rub my face with my hands before passing them through my hair. “I’ll take care of it,” I assure Aiden and make my way towards the bar.
“Hey, why the hell did you leave Ava alone with Matt?” Dan asks confused.
“Gotta take care of some shit. Kasey’s running her mouth, and I need to shut it up.” Dan gives me a mischievous stare. “Not like that, asshole.” I shake my head at his indecent thoughts.
Jess just stands by his side and laughs at his expression and dirty thoughts. Those two are sickeningly perfect for each other, like Ava and I were years ago. No, how we still are. As soon as she realizes we still have a chance.
I look over at them again, and she’s laughing softly at something Matt has said. I hate him. My blood is boiling at the sight of them. At the sight of her laughing so carefree with someone who isn’t me. It should be me sitting next to her. It should be my arm she’s touching. It should be me making her laugh like that.
“Sorry, man. You know my mind wanders into the dark side often,” Dan says with a dangerous smile. Sometimes I wonder how the hell he’s in such a serious relationship. God bless Jess, her patience, and her sense of humor.
“I know,” I say quickly and make my way over to Kasey.
“Well, if it isn’t Ethan. How are you?” Kasey gives me a devious smile.
“Fuck off, Kasey. I don’t know what you’re thinking, but if you continue this charade to piss off Ava, you and I are going to have problems. You know you don’t want problems with me. Stop running your mouth, or it’ll be the last thing you speak.” My blood is fucking boiling. I swear I was never aggressive when I was younger, but when you lose the one thing that meant the world to you, you become more hateful towards the world. And if Kasey chooses to keep fucking shit up on purpose so Ava hates me even more, her and I are going to have problems. When it comes to Ava, I’m not a force to be reckoned with.
I would never hurt a woman, but I’ll do what I need to protect Ava. She already knows I’ve been sleeping around, she doesn’t need to be reminded.
“Come on, Ethan,” she says laughing lightly. “I’m just messing around. It’s not like Ava is anywhere near me to hear what I’m saying. Relax. Besides, we both know you are incapable of hurting an ant.”
“Kasey, don’t play the innocent card with me. You and I both know you’re saying those things so they get back to her. You’re spreading the word like wildfire,” I say before I turn to leave. “Oh, and by the way, you and I are done.” I tell her confidently, with authority. I’m done with that bitch and all bitches. I’ll only have Ava.
I turn to head back to the table and catch Ava’s eyes. She was watching me. God only knows what she’s thinking about that exchange. Her eyes look sad, almost disappointed. Is it possible she already knows about Kasey? Fuck me! Seems like the universe is conspiring against me.
“I hope you spoke to Kasey and got her to shut her mouth,” Aiden interrupts my path back towards Ava.
“Yeah, I spoke to her.” I look over his shoulder distracted. I see Katie motion to Ava. I’m not sure what she’s saying, but Matt looks excited about it. Ava seems unsure.
“Ethan, I hope you did. If this gets back to Ava, I swear I’ll kick your ass again,” he says menacingly.
“I got it covered, Aiden.” I try to swerve by him, but he stops me.
“Ethan, I’m not kidding. Ava’s not ready to deal with that shit.” I know she’s not ready to deal with that shit. I wouldn’t be if the tables were turned.
“Aiden, I told you I got it covered,” I say firmly. “Besides, if she doesn’t care about me why would it bother her?”
“Don’t act like she doesn’t care. She may not be in love with you anymore, but she’s going to care if someone throws it in her face that they’ve fucked you, numerous times.”
Well, I’ll be damned. She isn’t in love with me? I thought if she cared it was because she still loved me. Does Aiden know this first hand or is he just fucking with me?
“Trust me, if anyone fucks with Ava, I’ll be the first to kick their ass.” I look back and Ava, Katie and Matt are walking towards the door. They can’t leave. Well, Matt can get the fuck out of here, don’t care about him. Ava hesitates at the door. I think it’s because of me but she catches Aiden’s eye. He nods slightly at her and she walks out of the bar. I stare at the door in hopes that she’ll come back in. Come back for her brother, but she doesn’t.
“Where are they going?” I ask Aiden.
“I don’t know,” he says looking away from
me.
“Bullshit.”
“Look, don’t ruin her night. I can tell she’s worried about having you around. Let her have a good time. Let her enjoy herself. We know she’s been through hell and back. She deserves to be happy.”
I sigh. He’s right. And part of the reason she’s been through hell is because of me, but I want to make it better. I will make it better. In order to do so, though, I need a chance to speak to her. “Please, Aiden.” God damnit, I’m begging. “I want her to be happy, too. I want her to live, but I want to be with her while she does. You know I’m not some douche bag she picked up at a bar. We’ve known each other our whole lives. I love her. Like I really, really love her. Are you seriously going to make me continue sounding like some whipped pussy? Because I will. I won’t stop with the sappy shit you love until you tell me where they went. I mean, I want to marry her. I want to spend the rest of my life with her. Long walks on the beach, walking hand in hand through Europe, cuddling on the couch, making-”
“Okay! Stop it! Damn you and your fucking imagination. That’s my sister you’re talking about. I don’t need to hear about what you want to do with her. She’s going to text me where they’re going. I’ll let you know. Just don’t tell her I told you or she’ll have my ass. She already thinks I’m taking your side.”
“My side?” I ask, confused. “Hold on, you guys have spoken about me? So what did she say?” I say very aware of the fact that I sound way too eager.
“Now you sound like a fucking 15-year-old prissy girl asking about her crush. Man up! She didn’t say anything. I just said that I understood your reasoning.”
“Good. That means she confided in you about me. If she did, she still cares,” I state proudly.
“Get off your high horse. She seemed pretty cozy with Matt. Watch out, you got competition,” he says smugly.
“This isn’t a competition. This isn’t a game. I love her. We belong together. Matt’s just some jock ass getting in the way of it because he feels he needs revenge since I threatened him in high school.”
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