Page 11 of With Every Breath

I grabbed my cup, and weaved through the crowd to the table Madi had seemed to commandeer in the corner. She was laughing with Brittany, and Lexi was snuggled against a guy I didn’t know.

“Where’s Dex?” Madi looked around when she saw me coming over alone.

“No idea.” I shrugged it off. I was glad he’d gone off on his own.

“He’s so hot.” Lexi sighed. “I saw him working out at the gym a few weeks ago. He had his shirt off. That guy has abs for days.” She fanned herself.

“You should go out with him,” I blurted out.

“But I thought…” She pointed at me.

“No.” I shook my head vehemently.

“Maybe I will, then.” She giggled as she scanned the room as if she were going to search him out right then. I felt a twinge in my gut at the thought, but I pushed it away. Dex wasn’t my boyfriend, and he could date whomever he wanted.

We stayed at the bar until late. Most of the patrons had left, and other than the occasional outburst from us, the music over the sound system was the only noise. “You guys planning to spend the night?” Brad called as he began wiping down liquor bottles.

“What time is it? Lexi squinted as she attempted to read her watch.

“Like almost two.” Madi yawned.

“I have to close up, so unless you’re staying, you need to leave,” Brad called out just as Dex appeared beside me.

“Where have you been all night?” Madi grinned.

“Busy. I’m heading out now though, so I’ll walk you home.” He winked, and I swallowed. Parts of me were noticing things that they shouldn’t. Like the way his eyes twinkled when he looked in my direction; or how he always seemed to want to help with something; how he knew how to dress himself to look hot, but not overdo it.

“We’ll be fine.” I reached for the empty cup I’d left on the table. I needed to keep my hands busy so I didn’t try and touch him.

“Wrong answer.” He made a buzzer sound. “Try again.”

“Fine. We’re leaving now.” I grabbed Madi’s arm. “Let’s go.”

After practically dragging her out onto the sidewalk, she pulled herself free from my grip. “Slow down. It’s not that far.”

“If you take us home, how will you get home?” My mouth twisted when we stopped at Madi’s car.

“You let me worry about me.” Dex held out his hands for the keys.

“Works for me. I’m tired.” Madi shrugged and then climbed in the backseat, relegating me to the front.

I turned slightly and made a face, demonstrating my annoyance. Dex climbed behind the wheel, and cranked the engine. “Weren’t you drinking tonight, too?” I wanted so bad to prove that we didn’t need his help.

“I stopped like two hours ago. I’m fine.” He sighed as he pulled away from the curb and headed toward our apartment.

The drive wasn’t long, and as soon as we parked in front of our building, I was on a mission to get out of the car. I yanked at the door handle, and Dex just laughed at my antics.

“Do I smell or something?” he asked Madi as we started walking up the steps to our door.

Madi leaned closer and inhaled his cologne. “Mmm.” She sighed. I knew it smelled good. I’d been trying to find the scent every time we went shopping. It was intoxicating, and somewhere in my mind I’d decided that if I could smell it enough, I’d get tired of it, and therefore get tired of Dex.

“Good to know.” He chuckled just as Madi got the door open.

“Thanks for driving.” She gave a little finger wave and disappeared inside, leaving me trapped out here with Dex.

“I thought we were friends.” Dex turned and leaned against my door. There was no way for me to get inside without going around him.

“We are.” I kicked at the wooden boards below me.

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