“Savi, you’re doing great! Everyone loves you here.” Zack comes around the bar, high-fiving me. “I heard one of the customers is being a bit of a handful.”
“Nothing I can’t handle,” I assure him.
“Who?” Keith asks Zack, ignoring me.
Zack leans against the bar. “He’s a monthly, works for a sports magazine. Bit of a jerk, but nothing to worry about. Besides Jake is watching over her, so she’ll be fine.”
Cole gets up and walks behind the counter to wash out his glass only inches from me. I can feel his warmth, and I sneak in a quick breath as I give in to the addiction of his scent. As soon as the smell attacks my senses, I have to walk away. It’s like a kick straight to the gut. I head out back to my locker to grab my coat and change from my flats to my boots. I sink down onto the bench, feeling just how tired I am. The three-block walk home seems like ten.
“I don’t like you working here.” Cole’s body fills the doorway. He looks concerned as he leans his weight into the wall.
I stand and fling my bag over my shoulder. “I’ll be fine.”
I hear him sigh. “Savi—”
I don’t want to talk about us right now; I’m too tired. “Do I have to testify in Washington?”
He pushes off the wall and takes a few steps toward me. I grip the strap on my bag to stop myself from reaching out to touch him. “Yes.” My stomach sinks at that three letter word, and I press my teeth into my lower lip as my chin begins to tremble.
“When?” I ask and stare at the floor.
“Not sure yet, but Frank wants you there two days before so he can prep you.” His shoes come into view. He’s so close, and I can’t think when he’s this near.
“You’ll be testifying against Lynn too.” This time my eyes flick up to his. I wasn’t ready for this. I still haven’t dealt with the fact my best friend is the mastermind behind my kidnapping, the one who had a threesome with my father and a man I considered an uncle. My hand flies to my stomach as the room starts to tilt, and he reaches out to stabilize me. I step back, just needing a minute. “Let me touch you,” he whispers.
“I can’t.”
“Why?”
“I’ll fall.” I move around him and make my way back into the bar where Zack is talking with Keith, but I do catch his hiss.
“We’ve talked about that before.”
“Savi, why didn’t you come by the house today? I waited for your call. I could have come and got you.” Keith pulls on his jacket. “I almost came to get you anyway when I got your one-word text.”
“Laundry,” I answer, then grab my tips from the bar and shove them in my pocket. It’s a lousy lie, but I’m too tired to think of anything more to say. “I’ll see you tomorrow, Zack,” I wave and head for the door.
Jake is waiting outside the door with a strange expression on his face, but as he sees how tired I am, he throws on a smile. His eyes move up over my shoulder before I hear Cole call out for me.
“Let me drive you back,” Cole says, coming up behind me and buttoning up his jacket. “It’s freezing.”
It is freezing, and my hands are already ice, but I have to be strong. Other people who left Shadows don’t have the Army driving them home after their night shift. “No, thanks. I find it helps me wind down.” Another lie. “Besides, Jake is waiting.” I point over my shoulder.
Cole glances at Jake, then at me. I can tell he’s not happy but not fighting me on it…that’s interesting. He steps forward and pulls off his scarf, wrapping it around my bare neck. I struggle not to immediately bury my nose and soak up the scent as he tucks a lose piece of hair behind my ear.
“Text Keith or me when you get home,” he whispers, then steps away as I slowly turn to face Jake, who is looking off, trying to give us some privacy.
I pull out the key and open the door to my brightly lit apartment. I’ve been leaving a light on so it feels like I’m coming home to someone. Once all the doors are locked, I toss my keys in a bowl and head for the shower, then change into Cole’s t-shirt and slip into an already made bed on the couch, facing the door. I’m so tired my eyes close immediately, but I only manage to get twenty minutes of sleep before something creaks in my bedroom, making my eyes pop open. I grab my cell from my bag and text Keith that I am home. I find myself writing a text to Cole too.
Savi: Home.
It pings a moment later.
Cole: Did you just get home?
Savi: No, I fell asleep.
Cole: Why aren’t you asleep now?
I hesitate, then go with the truth.