Page 21 of Always Been You
Josh waves at someone near the bar, but I barely notice. My eyes are fixed on the shadows at the far end of the room, where memories stir like restless ghosts. Coming back here was like ripping off a bandage only to find the wound still raw underneath. Louisville has that effect.
“You coming or what?” Josh calls, already halfway to the counter.
I shake myself out of it, forcing my feet to move.
Entering, Josh circles back and slings an arm around my shoulders as I climb the stairs. I shoot him a warning look, and he immediately lets go, holding his hands up in mock surrender.
“Relax, Eddie,” he says with a grin. “You know…”
Here we go again. I stick my left index finger in my ears, trying to block him out, but Josh carries on as if he doesn’t notice or, more likely, doesn’t care that I don’t want to hear what he has to say. “… the way you laid into the board about moving the headquarters here, anyone would think you’re some hardcore tough guy. But we both know…” He leans closer, his voice dropping into a teasing whisper. “… you’re just a marshmallow underneath.”
I stop mid-step and turn to face him. “Describe me like that again….” I growl, stepping closer. “... and let’s see how much talking you can do with a broken jaw.”
Josh laughs, unfazed. “Come on, don’t be like that. Did I tell you?”
“What now?” I move away from him, climbing the last step onto the second-floor balcony. The VIP booths stretch ahead, their plush leather couch seats offering a view of the floor below.
Josh pauses, his grin widening as he turns to me. “Well, I got a call confirming that….” he pauses for dramatic effect then continues, “As of today, you’re officially a married man.”
I pause and then chuckle despite myself. Married. The word rolls around in my head, carrying a weight that feels both exhilarating and maddening. The confirmation was supposed to come a week ago but got delayed for whatever reason Josh refuses to tell. Having Lawliss sign those documents without knowing the content was not how I planned for us to get married but now that we are, all that’s left is to win her over.
Josh’s gaze shifts to something, or someone, behind me. “Is that not your new wife over there?” he asks, his tone amused. I follow his gaze, my body tensing instinctively. I can feel my blood boiling.
Lawliss is here at this time and that too is not alone?
She’s leaning back in a booth, laughter spilling from her lips as she teases some guy. I know that laughter. It’s the one she only shares with those she’s comfortable with and it makes my pulse rise with something akin to danger and jealousy.
The man beside her has his arm draped casually over the back of the booth, his body angled toward hers, too close for my liking.
“What the fuck?”I mutter. The words leave me before I can stop them. I take long strides towards the table before I can reason.
“Eddie—wait,” Josh says, his voice muffled by the pounding in my ears. He’s still blabbering behind me, but I don’t hear him.
My chest tightens, a volatile blend of frustration and something else. Something raw and unfamiliar as I close the distance. She notices me before I reach her. Her laughter falters when her gaze meets mine. For a second, the world stills, her hazel eyes locking onto mine with a mix of surprise and something else.
“Eddie…” she starts, her voice barely above a whisper.
The man beside her stiffens, his head turning toward me, but I barely glance at him. My attention is solely on her.
“What the hell is this?” I say, my voice low but carrying enough force to cut through the noise.
She blinks, confusion flickering across her face. “Eddie, what are you—”
“Is this your idea of moving on?” I interrupt, gesturing vaguely toward the man beside her.
Her eyes darken, and she straightens in her seat, her hands curling into fists. “Excuse me?” she snaps, her voice cutting like a blade.
Before I can respond, the girl to her left jumps in, her expression sharp and challenging. “Who the hell are you?” she demands, her tone laced with arrogance.
Another voice cuts through the tension from behind me, calm yet sharp enough to draw my attention. “Mmhm, you think you can approach anyone without a second thought. People like you assume you can demand whatever you want without considering the consequences.” the voice says, smooth but edged with quiet authority that I can’t help but respect. It’s enough to make me glance back, breaking my focus on Lawliss. And that’s when I see her.
“Aria?” I whisper, almost to myself.
She tilts her head slightly as if weighing my presence, her sharp eyes narrowing in an attempt to place me. I take in my surroundings, finally registering the group at the booth.
A sisters’ outing, huh? Then who the hell is he? Last I checked, there weren’t any men in the family, except maybe their father.
I glance at him again, suspicion prickling at the back of my mind. But Aria’s voice pulls my attention back to her.
