Page 42 of No, You Hang Up

He’s only doing this for sex, after all. He doesn’t care about me on a personal level.

If he can use me to get what he wants, then I can do the same thing to him.

“Sorry.” I pull back, noting how he’spantingas if we’d been doing something impressive. Something worth it. My hand is already on my phone, and when he leans back to chug his beer, I let my eyes fall to the screen.

You’re actually doing this.

You really think you can win this game, little bunny?

Fuck, he kisses like a virgin. That’s embarrassing for him.

“Hey, umm.” My eyes flick back up to Eric’s, and I watch as he pays his tab without offering to pay for my drinks. And when I go to give my card to the bartender, he shakes his head and gestures to the other side of the bar.

I don’t look.

Iwon’tlook, but suddenly, I have a much better idea of where my stalker might be.

“What’s up?” I try to keep my voice kind and interested. I work not to sound disinterested in Eric’s answer, when I’d much rather be walking across the bar until I can find the man who’s texting me.

“Would you maybe, uh—” He’s tripping over his words, and I finally let my eyes find his once again. God, he looks so nervous, and he barely has half of my attention. Is this how he is with all the girls he talks to here?

Or is it just because I don’t seem interested enough?

“Do you want to go somewhere else? Maybe somewhere quieter or just, I don’t know…” he trails off with mumbled words I can’t really hear, and immediately I know I’m going to tell him absolutely not. Especially when he gestures towards the side door of Revival Room with a sad look on his face that reminds me of a kicked puppy.

“I’m…” My response fades as my phone buzzes in my hand, and I absently glance down at it as I form a denial in my head. There’s no way I’m going to take this further with him. There’s no way I’m going to go outside with a man who expects something from me that I’m certainly not willing to give. I need to?—

Go with him.

The three words glare up at me from the screen, knocking every other thought out of my brain. Is Hux close enough to hear? Surely not. If he were, I’d be able to see him. But I suppose Eric isn’t that subtle. Especially with how he keeps looking toward the side door like he can convince me with his eyes alone.

Maybe Hux is just that good at knowing what’s going on.

But I wonder if this is taking things too far.

“We don’t have to actually go anywhere.” God, he’s begging now, and his eyes are getting wider with every moment that I don’t respond. “I know you’re here with your friends. Just that little area kind of near the parking lot. You know what I’m talking about?” His words speed up, and I worry if I don’t interrupt him soon, Eric will be talking at a speed faster than light.

My phone lights up again, reminding me of Hux’s unanswered text, and I look down once more, as if maybe the words will have changed or I’d misread them.

Go with him.

Nope, there they are again. Three words that are short and easy to understand, yet make me incredibly nervous.

“Okay.” The word is breathy and barely audible. Especially considering the noise of the bar. Glancing around, I can’t see Em or Mads, but knowing them, they’ve made friends. Still, I shoot them a quick text, letting them know I’m going out back with my new friend and not to worry.

Just in case they get the urge to come check on me.

“Yeah?” He sounds shocked as hell at my agreement, and immediately Eric is scrambling to his feet fast enough that he nearly knocks over his chair. I watch him stumble over it, wincing in sympathy for him, before dropping to the floor myself.

This time, instead of pulling my shirt down, I help it ride up a little. Eric looks as I’d expected him to. But this isn’t for him. Neither is the way I run my fingers through my hair, tousling it lightly as I let out a breath. “Yeah,” I agree, then shove my phone into my back pocket. “Yeah, let’s go, Eric.” I flash him a smile I hope seems genuine, and when he takes my hand in his and leads me toward the back of the bar, I follow without question.

For the life of me, I have no idea how in the world this night is going to go. Especially with us being out of sight of the main bar and away from Huxley’s gaze.

nineteen

The parking lot is quieter than I expected it to be. Lights are strung between poles in planters and the building itself, and there aren’t enough cars to fill up the parking lot. Being only ten or so, I guess it’s not a prime time for people coming or going. The lights above us are the only ones, as there aren’t any actual lamp posts on this side of the lot, and seeing as the parking lot is sandwiched between a couple of buildings, it’s a bit more private than some of the others.

But that doesn’t make me feel better.

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