Page 20 of Betrayed

Paige and Danny waited for me at a high top. Danny leaned back and dropped his arms to his sides, staring at AJ as we approached. I checked to see if AJ was offended, half hoping he would be. Nope, he was shaking his head back and forth, looking amused, as he read Danny’s t-shirt: Violence is never the answer.

Paige’s rainbow hoodie, with the words Make Love not War, painted across the front, was more subtle.

“I’ll be right over there.” AJ said as he pointed to the bar.

“Okay.” Then, because I didn’t want to appear rude in public, I added, “Thanks.”

“Why are you being nice to him?” Danny whined.

“I wasn’t being nice.” I just wasn’t being rude.

“Are you getting your usual?” Paige asked, quickly changing the subject.

“I think I’ll try something different today.”

We ordered a round of beers to start, then looked at the menu. “Anyone want to share some nachos?” I asked.

“Only if we get them without meat,” Danny replied.

Ugh. I wanted meat on mine. “Paige?”

She looked torn. Unlike Danny, she ate meat, but she didn’t want to upset him. Neither of us usually opposed Danny when he was in a mood, often choosing vegetarian options when he was with us. “I’m fine with nachos without meat,” she said while playing with a napkin.

“Fine,” When I ordered, I asked the server to put the meat on the side. Then I ordered a burger with bacon and fries, instead ofmy usual Greek salad, reveling in the look of disgust on Danny’s face. Apparently, I had the maturity of a nine-year-old today.

“What’s gotten into you?” Danny huffed after chugging a third of his beer. The table wobbling as he set the pint glass down with a thud. Danny was a big boy, and often used more force than was necessary to do things. He wasn’t muscular or strong, he just wanted everyone to think he was.

I looked over towards the bar in time to see AJ push up his sleeves. His forearms weren’t fat.Hell, I bet he doesn’t have an ounce of fat on him. Not that I cared. I wasn’t attracted to guys just because they were tall, dark, and gorgeous. Or because they had sexy, muscular forearms. Being smart, caring, and kind were way more important than being tall, sexy, and covered in muscles.

“Sorry, I’m just tired. I had a really bad nightmare last night.”

Paige said sorry, but I barely heard it over Danny saying, “Well, you’re awake now. I bet you’ll forget all about it after a beer or two.”

Maybe he was right, and all I needed to shake off the lingering fear was an afternoon with friends, food, and a few beers.

I raised my glass and took a generous swig of the cool amber liquid; the bubbles tickled my nose and making me laugh.Yeah, this is exactly what I need. I glanced over at AJ, who was looking around the room.

I was adjusting to his presence, though I wished he’d leave his gun in the car. I asked him to do so, but got a hard no in reply. He claimed it was necessary to do his job, but that didn’t mean I had to like it.

God,I miss my mom. She’d know how to help me deal with all of this. I missed her every day, but on hard days like this, her loss hit me harder.

Our server interrupted my pity party when she delivered our nachos and my side of seasoned ground beef. We keptthe conversation light, talking about classes and our upcoming midterms, while we ate. I prided myself on working hard and earning good grades, and was worried all this stress and disruption would interfere with my studying time.

What if I fail?

I didn’t have time to freak out because Stan Lancaster the Fourth walked over. We weren’t friends, but we had acquaintances in common. He was a snob and his ego rubbed me the wrong way. He’d asked me out a few times, but I’d always said no.

Every so often, he’d try again. I thought it was because he wasn’t used to hearing no. Paige thought it was because he was interested in my father’s political connections.

He wouldn’t be the first.

“Hi Blake,” Stan greeted me, but no one else.Rude. I glanced up and saw AJ’s back stiffen. “Mind if I join you?” Stan asked as he pulled out the fourth chair. He hadn’t bothered to look, and the sudden movement caused Danny’s bag to fall off.

“Dude, be careful,” Danny yelled, before getting up to pick up his bag.

AJ stood up, facing us.

Stan didn’t bother looking at Danny as he said sorry, his tone confirming my suspicion he wasn’t.

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