Maybe This Time(17)

“Nothing,” I say incredulously, turning to look at Reid, who remains quiet.

“What’s your issue, Xander?” Reid asks him, the atmosphere thickening.

“Reid, let’s go,” I say, grabbing my bag and heading towards the door. I walk out the front, and leave them to say whatever they need to. I feel like this whole thing has nothing to do with me. I lean against Reid’s Jeep, waiting for him. He walks out about ten minutes later, and opens the door for me. He rounds the car and slides into the driver’s seat and slams the door shut. He doesn’t say anything for the entirety of the journey, but I can feel his mind at work as he mulls over his thoughts. I choose to stay blissfully ignorant, looking out the window and pretending I can’t feel the tension in the car.

“Ry’s not here yet,” Reid says as he pulls into the car park.

“Who’s here, then?” I ask, seeing that the bar is open.

“Tag.”

“Tag?” I repeat, my eyes widening when I see a sexy guy walk out of the bar, lighting up a smoke. He has a shaved head, and a hot body, dressed in a wife beater, dark denim jeans and black motorcycle boots.

Reid stares at me and scowls. “He has a different bitch every night, don’t even think about it.”

“That’s Tag?” I ask, wide eyed. And I’m working with this man?

Perhaps I should pay them.

I didn’t realize I had said this out loud until Reid curses and gets out of the car, slamming the door shut. I get out of my side and storm over to him.

“And don’t call me a bitch,” I snap.

“When did I fucking call you a bitch?” he asks, looking confounded.

“You called women bitches, and if you haven’t noticed, I’m a woman, and I don’t fucking appreciate being called a bitch!” I sneer at him.

“Oh, trust me, I know you’re all woman,” he says in a smooth tone, staring at my breasts and then my hips.

“That was a seedy look,” I lie. Really, it was hot and smouldering. Reid chuckles, like he knows what I’m thinking.

“The way your body reacts to me, beauty, I’m pretty sure that’s not what you think. You’re gonna be so responsive, I can hardly wait for a taste,” he says softly so only I can hear.

“Yeah, trust me, that’s not gonna happen, especially after last night,” I snap, crossing the road without him. Tag's brows furrow as he watches me.

“Hey, Tag,” I say, smiling widely at him.

“Tag, you don’t get to touch this one,” Reid says from behind me, smirking.

Tag chuckles huskily, pulling out another cigarette from the packet. “There’s a first for everything, I guess.”

“You’re… hot,” I blurt out. Reid shifts on his feet, taking me by the arm and pulling me inside. “You even look at him and I’ll fire him. He has a kid, you want that on your conscience?"

“You’re a dick,” I tell him, looking around the bar.

“Summer, I didn’t fuck that girl last night, so retract your claws,” he whispers into my ear. He didn’t? This man is so damn confusing. I can’t help but feel relief, but when you look at it, does it really change anything between us?

“So what did you do, then? Play Monopoly?” I say sarcastically. I purse my lips waiting for his answer.

“She started to kiss me and I pushed her away. I couldn't go through with it, it wasn’t her I wanted.”

“So, kissing means nothing to you? Maybe I should go and kiss the next guy that walks by and see how you like it?”

“If you want to see a fight, sure,” he says, narrowing his eyes a little.

“Hypocritical bastard,” I mutter, gritting my teeth. Why do I like him again?

“Look at me, hey,” he says, holding my chin in his palm. “I shouldn’t want you. I’m not good enough for you. I know it and you know it. But that doesn’t stop me from wanting you. Just being near you… You bring me peace, beauty,” he says in a soft unwavering tone, briefly resting his forehead against mine. I stand there in shock.

Speechless.

Reid heads behind the bar, leaving me standing there, gaping like a goldfish. Ryan walks into the bar, saving me.

“Hey, Sum, you remembered,” he says, tugging at a lock of my hair.

“Of course I did. What kind of employee would I be if I didn’t show up my first day of work?” I ask in a saccharine sweet tone.

“Probably like the employees I’m used to,” he says, chuckling. He bounces on his feet, full of energy.

“It’s just the three of you?” I ask, looking around. There are about five customers, three of them sitting alone and staring into their drinks. Must be drowning their sorrows, because it's only two pm.