A Reason to Leave

by Melissa Ellen

  “I’m not very good. I’ve only played once, and I was terrible,” I tried to dissuade them from including me.

  “We can do teams. Lexie and me against you and one of the guys,” Jake offered.

  “You seem to be hitting it off with Dax. Why don’t you team up with him?” Lexie suggested.

  “I don’t -”

  “Hey, Dax! Val needs a pool partner. You up for it?” Lexie yelled across the bar, where Dax was getting us another round of beers.

  “Of course,” he smiled at me.

  “I don’t know how to play.”

  “Don’t worry, I’ll teach you, sweetheart,” he winked.

  “Alright. You’ve been warned,” I giggled, shaking my head at him.

  After Blaine and Joe wrapped up their game, they passed the cue sticks to us. Dax went over the basic rules with me while Jake racked the balls at one end of the table. Dax took the first shot, breaking the triangle of balls, sending them every which way. He pocketed two solids and a stripe, calling solids for our team.

  He took a few more shots, sinking more solids, but missing on his fourth shot. Jake shot next, pocketing a few stripes, before he sank the cue ball. I was up. I felt nervous tension as I approached the table. I wasn’t sure if it was the fact I was about to have to actually play, or because Liam’s eyes hadn’t left me since we started the game.

  Dax grabbed the cue ball from the pocket and came to my side to help me place it on the table for an easy shot. I held the pool stick in my hands and bent at my waist, leaning over the table, acutely aware of Liam and only vaguely aware of Dax who stood at my side. Dax leaned over me, forming his body with mine, resting his hand on my leather cladded hip. The other hand slid down my arm as he helped me line up my shot.

  “Okay, sweetheart,” Dax’s warm breath hit my ear. “You just want to glide the stick across your fingers. Keep it straight and smooth. Hit the ball, right in this spot and you will sink it, no problem.”

  His hand gripped my hip tighter as he spoke. I closed my eyes and bit my bottom lip, trying to visualize the path of the ball and ignore Dax’s touch. It wasn’t that his hands bothered me. What bothered me is that I wanted it to be someone else’s hands.

  Just as I was taking my shot with Dax’s assistance, a loud bang had me jumping and nearly missing the cue ball. I nipped it just enough to send it rolling in the wrong direction.

  “What the fuck, man?” Dax turned on Liam, who had apparently slammed his beer down on the table mid-shot.

  Liam’s eyes narrowed at the both of us as he stood and walked away. What the hell was his problem?

  “Sorry, sweetheart,” Dax turned back to me, apologizing for his friend. “We’ll make the next shot.”

  I nodded with a tight smile, trying to control the emotions I was feeling. “It’s fine. I’m just going to run to the restroom. I’ll be right back,” I excused myself. Lexie caught my eye, silently asking if I wanted her to come with me. I shook my head and headed in the direction of the restroom.

  I forcefully pushed the door open, rushing inside, slamming my back up against the wall. I gripped my hair in my hands at the crown of my head as I stared in the mirror, breathing heavily - my heart hammering against my ribs. “Get a grip, Val,” I reprimanded myself in the mirror.

  The door swung open. “Shit!” I jumped, grabbing at my chest, whipping my head to the opening - shocked into a momentary silence. Liam walked into the ladies’ restroom. After glancing under the single stall and finding it empty, he turned his laser eyes on me, standing a mere foot away. He was so close I could smell that uniquely, musky, manly smell of his that had my body ready to submit.

  “What the hell are you doing?” I asked through my strangled voice.

  “Quit flirting with Dax,” he demanded.

  There it was. I could see it in his eyes as I focused on them. I could see the struggle in them despite his hardened expression. It was the same struggle with jealousy and possessiveness I felt when I saw him with the other woman. I wasn’t letting him off easy this time. I knew I wasn’t the only one feeling things, no matter how much we both denied it out loud.

  “Why should I?” I challenged him.

  He hesitated. Searching for his answer. The answer we both already knew.

  “Because you have a boyfriend,” he gritted through his teeth.

  Okay. Not the answer I expected. Maybe I was misreading things? No. I wasn’t. This was not one sided, and I was determined to make him admit it.

  “What?” I scoffed at his accusation and avoidance of the truth. “I do not have a boyfriend, and even if I did, what business is it of yours?” I threw my hands on my hips, staring at him expectantly. `

  “The guy at the bar last night?”

  “Not. My. Boyfriend.”

  “So, you just let all guys feel you up like that?” he growled.

  “Are you kidding me, right now? You’re one to talk.” I pointed my finger at him, poking him in his firm chest. He swiftly grabbed my hand in his, pinning it above my head against the wall. I gasped. A heady charge shot through my body.

  He leaned in burying his face in my neck as he pressed his body against mine, gripping my hip with his free hand. I could feel his need through the material that separated us. My chest heaved against his. Every thought focused on what it felt like to have his body pressed against mine. I was tingly and light-headed as a current prickled my skin. My one free hand moved to the back of his neck, my fingers weaving into his hair, holding on tight.

  “I’m not like the rich, pretty boys you’re used to. I’m no good for you, princess,” he whispered his warning into my neck.

  I knew he was right. I didn’t need another playboy that would break my heart. My last serious boyfriend was in high school. We had been together for two years. I had sex with him the night of our senior prom, giving my virginity to him, and he was sure to let everyone know.

  He never cared about me, like I did him. He only wanted bragging rights at bedding a Blackwood. He hooked up with my supposed best friend the next night at a house party. Neither one of them tried to hide it. Pictures of them kissing and hanging on each other were all over Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. It was humiliating and it buried a deep seeded mistrust of everyone in me.

  I couldn’t get out of New York fast enough. Unfortunately, I had to spend the summer in New York. I kept myself locked away at home as much as possible without tipping off my family that something was wrong. Ava was the first one I confided in after moving to California. I swore her to secrecy. We both knew if my brother ever heard what happened, he would make the guy pay for it. All I wanted to do was move on from it and start new. I knew Ava could understand that and she did.

  Regardless of Liam’s warnings, I felt safer with him than I had anyone. His words were lost on me. I knew what I felt. And I didn’t care what he was saying. I was just about to tell him that, when the door came flying open once again, making Liam release me and step away. Damn it!

  “Shit, sorry!” Lexie yelped. “I was just coming to check on Val. I’ll leave,” she said whipping around to exit.

  “Stay,” Liam demanded, halting her retreat. “I was just leaving.”

  I couldn’t tell if he was relieved or annoyed at the interruption. Maybe a little of both. I was definitely annoyed, and I wasn’t hiding it. Lexie looked down, stepping aside as Liam walked out of the restroom.

  “Sorry?” she said unsure of whether she should be.

  “Ughhhh,” I let out my frustration as I sank to the dirty floor. I didn’t care. I couldn’t stand on my own right now. “Whomever said third time’s a charm is a complete dimwit.”

  “What was that about?” she said taking a seat next to me on the nasty floor, because that is what good friends did.

  “I’m not sure. I think I know. But I didn’t get a chance to confirm it before you came flying in here.”

  “Shit. Sorry, Val. You were taking a while. I had no idea he would be in here with you.”

 
; “It’s not your fault. With my luck, nothing would have happened anyways.”

  “So….do you want to keep hanging out on this gross floor or do you want to head back out there?”

  I laughed. “Maybe just hang out another minute, until I can get control of my hormones.”

  She laughed, wrapping her arm around my shoulders, hugging me to her. We rested our heads against each other.

  “If he can’t see what a catch you are, Val, then he is an idiot.”

  “Thanks.”

  Her words were sweet, but I knew, now, that was not the problem. The problem was, for some reason, he didn’t think he was good enough for me. I didn’t believe him. After a few more silent moments of sitting in the women’s restroom, Lexie got to her feet, pulling me with her.

  “Ready?” she asked.

  “Ready,” I confirmed. I was going to go out there and show Liam just how much I wanted him. His warnings be damned.

  I walked out of the restroom with a determined stride, but my confidence stumbled, and I felt an imaginary smack to the face when we found one tiny bar missing Liam’s large presence.

  “Where did Liam go?” I asked Blaine who was nearest to me with what I hoped was an air of unconcern.

  “He left a few minutes ago,” he said before taking a drink of his beer.

  You have to be kidding me! My temper peaked. It looked like we did have a thing, after all. That thing was him making me desperate for him and then leaving me pissed and alone. Well, screw him. I was done playing the desperate fool.

  “You’re up by the way,” Blaine pointed at the pool table.

  “Actually… you take my place. You make a better partner for Dax than me. I’m going to head out for the night.” I had no desire to stick around.

  “Are you sure? Do you want me to come with you?” Lexie asked, overhearing my conversation with Blaine.

  “No. You stay. I’m just tired and still feeling the after effects of last night. I’ll see you at home,” I assured her with a hug. I put in my request for an Uber on my phone. Once it was close, I told everyone good-bye and left the bar.

  I curled up under my down comforter, ready for bed, trying to clear my mind from the night’s events. I texted my Mom to let her know I was home safe and sound. Then laid my phone on the bedside table, picking up the remote instead. I flipped on the TV in my room and scrolled through Netflix for something to watch.

  My phone chimed with a new message. Expecting it to be my mom responding, I picked it up. It wasn’t. It was a text from an unknown number. I read the message and knew instantly who it was from.

  See you soon, princess.

  “Jerk,” I huffed to no one but myself.

  I started to type, Screw you, then deleted it. I typed out, In your dreams, asshole, but decided to delete that too. I settled on not responding at all. Giving him any reaction just gave him more power.

  I put my phone down and tried ignoring it as I watched my shows. I only glanced over at it occasionally. It sat there taunting me. I picked it back up and saved Liam’s number. Just in case. So, I could screen his future calls and texts. Honestly. That is the only reason why. He was obviously a creep. How did he get my number anyways?

  I was just about to call it a night and turn off the TV when I heard the front door of our apartment open. A few moments later, Lexie came padding into my bedroom.

  “Hey. You’re awake still.”

  “Yep. Couldn’t sleep.”

  She walked further into my room, slipping off her shoes and crawling under the covers next to me.

  “Did you have a good birthday weekend? I mean besides Liam, of course.” She looked at me cautiously.

  I chuckled. “Yes.”

  She giggled with relief. “Good…..soooo… Dax asked for your number.” I looked at her with wide eyes. “I didn’t give it to him, but I promised him I would give you his number.”

  “Thanks for that. He seems like a cool guy, but not sure it’s a good idea for me to start anything with him.”

  “Because of Liam?”

  “No….maybe….I don’t know. He texted me tonight.”

  “Who? Liam?”

  “Yes.”

  “What did he say?”

  “See you soon, princess,” I tried imitating his deep voice.

  “What does that mean?”

  “My thoughts exactly. The man is an enigma.”

  “You know… after you both left, Blaine and Trent were teasing Dax about getting his ass kicked later by Liam.”

  “Why?”

  “Why do you think, Val? It was obvious to everyone that Liam was pissed about Dax having his hands on you.”

  “Well, I don’t know why he would be. He has made it very clear he wants nothing to do with me.”

  “You’re shitting me right now. You don’t honestly believe that do you?”

  I scoffed a snort for my response. No. I didn’t believe that. But regardless, he was determined to stay far from me, and I wasn’t going to beg. He could be a man and go after what he wanted – me – or he could hide behind his façade.

  “I didn’t think you believed that. Especially, after what I walked in on.” She raised her eyebrows at me.

  “Don’t look at me like that!” I pushed her shoulder as she laughed. “It’s not like I was going to let him screw me in that dirty bathroom.”

  Or…maybe I would have. I didn’t seem to have a sane thought whenever he touched me.

  “Whatever you say. I’m just saying what I saw looked pretty heated.”

  It was. And now it was all I could think about.

  “Shut up! And get out of my room,” I dismissed her playfully. “I need my beauty sleep.”

  “Fine, princess,” she mocked me as she climbed out of my bed.

  “I’ll leave Dax’s number for you on the island. You can decide what to do with it. That way I didn’t break my promise to him.”

  I nodded. “Night, Lex. Thanks for everything this weekend.”

  “No problem. Sleep well, lady,” she smiled before closing the door behind her.

  I flipped off my TV and rolled over to my side. I tossed and turned, contemplating the meaning of Liam’s text. Was that a promise? How the hell did he know he would see me soon? Were they going to be hanging out with Jake and his friends more often? Did he plan to call and ask me out on a legitimate date?

  I needed to stop my game of twenty unanswered questions or I was never going to get to sleep. I closed my eyes tight. Kittens. Kittens. Puppies.

  CHAPTER 6

  The annoying sound of my phone alarm woke me the next morning. I slapped my lazy hand on the nightstand in search of the loud offender, keeping my eyes tightly shut. It was still dark outside. Why… Why the hell did I choose a job that required me to be up before the sun?

  I tumbled out of bed, moving through my pitch black room, rubbing my sleepy eyes. I went through the motions of showering and getting ready for work. I skipped washing my hair, spraying it with some dry shampoo instead and twisting it into a messy bun on top of my head. It was way too early to worry about looking beautiful.

  I slipped on my white shorts and a loose army green tee. The main reason I took this job was because the manager allowed us to wear whatever we wanted. He liked the staff to feel eclectic like the coffee shop. I was grateful. There was no way anyone would be getting me in a boring, old uniform. The only thing that unified the staff was the black aprons we wore with the Sweet Beans logo.

  After applying some make-up, I sat on my bed and slipped on my brown gladiator sandals. I walked into the kitchen to grab a piece of fruit for a breakfast on-the-go. The apartment was still quiet and dark. Lexie had the late shift today, so we would only see each other in passing. I grabbed an apple and a protein bar and then rushed to leave. I stopped as I rounded the corner of the island. My attention being pulled by the piece of paper lying on the counter. Dax’s number. I picked it up and stared at it.

  Not sure what I wanted to do with it, I pocketed it
in my shorts and left for work.

  “Morning, Val,” Ethan mumbled as I walked in the door of Sweet Beans. He was looking rough. It seemed I wasn’t the only non-morning person. He was already preparing the fresh brewed drip coffee as I went around the counter to pull out a clean apron.

  “Sorry, I’m late. What still needs to be done?” I asked as I tied the apron around my waist.

  “Will you grab the rest of the fresh pastries from the kitchen to put in the case?”

  “Sure. We missed you last night,” I told him over my shoulder as I walked towards the swinging door that led to the kitchen.

  “Yeah, some buddies and I decided to do some night surfing.”

  “That seems kind of scary.”

  I wasn’t a fan of getting in the ocean. I was pretty certain the way I was going to die was by being eaten by a shark or an alligator or some kind of big, swimmy creature with large teeth. Therefore, the only water I swam in was a pool. I didn’t mind wading in it at calf level…but there was no way in hell you were getting me to go deeper than that. Especially at night.

  “The waves at night are bad ass,” he grinned.

  I shook my head at his fearlessness, then walked into the kitchen to grab the rest of the fresh pastries. I finished helping him setup for the morning rush, before unlocking the door.

  We decided I would take orders while he manned the espresso machine. We would make better tips that way. He was much more efficient at making the coffees, and I was much more personable. I had come a long way with my coffee making skills over that last few years. After the first week of working, I was positive Aaron, the owner/manager, was going to fire me. I think he bought more coffees for disgruntled customers than he sold those first weeks.

  He put me on the register and bussing duty for the next few months. Lexie took pity on me and spent extra time training me on the fancy espresso machine. It was how we first bonded and became good friends.

  Monday mornings were always a mad house, even in the summer. It was the time of day when we got mostly business professionals and professors coming through the doors. They were always impatient and in a rush, unlike the college students that started to arrive mid-morning through the rest of the day until we closed.