Page 11 of Hard To Love

I couldn’t believe this was happening to me. As much as the moment with him was pulling me in, there was still a part of me screaming to run away as fast as I could. I was sure that this was not the relationship I was looking for. If I gave in now, this would turn into a one-night stand. I didn’t go through all the pain of ending things with Brad just to hop into bed with the next man who hit on me.

I turned my face away because I was afraid if he looked hard enough, he would be able to see right through me.

“I don’t own a phone.” Jesus. Of all the god-given things I could have come up with, that’s what ended up spilling from my mouth. Brilliant, I thought to myself.

He let out a heavy breath. And I wanted to high-five myself for getting him so wound up. Who knew that little old me could be capable of having an impact on someone that looked like him?

“I have my ways you know, I will find you and you will see me again.”

There was something in the way he said it to me that left me no doubt that he was right. I was pretty sure there was nothing that man couldn’t do if he set his mind to it—including me.

“I wouldn’t hold my breath if I were you,” I replied, displaying a false confidence that I hoped would travel from mouth up to my brain. Just as I was about to open the door, I heard a loud knock on the other side.

“Chase, it’s me, Megan…. I know you’re in there.Open up.”

I flung the door open and walked away as fast as I could.

”Who the hell was that?” I heard the woman say as I made my way down the stairs, trying not to bump into people on my way.

I made my way through the crowd before spotting my friends still on the dance floor. Going to them, I said, “Alright guys, I’m ready to call it a night.”

Cassie looked at me, squinting her eyes in disbelief while I watched her entire body sway from side to side. She was hammered.

“I think I’ll stay a little longer,” she said, slurring her L’s together like one of those drunks in an old-time movie. She propped herself up by holding on to Liam and they both seemed happy in the moment.

“Okay, my little lush, I think I’ll go outside and flag down a taxi.” I turned to Liam. “I’m assuming you’ll make sure she gets home okay?”

“Of course,” he said, pulling her into his side.

Normally, I wouldn’t leave my friend at a bar without some kind of confirmation that it was okay, but I knew Cassie well enough to know what her intentions were. Just because I wasn’t going to get laid, that didn’t mean I had to spoil all her fun.

I walked outside then started walking down the street, checking my phone with my hand waving at every yellow car that drove by. I’ve lived in NYC for four years and I still wasn’t very good at getting a cab to stop.

I could hear someone approaching me quickly from behind and I turned to see Chase in front of me.

He smirked in a mocking tone. “I thought you didn’t have a phone.” His knowing little grin grew, at catching me in another fib.

“Maybe I just didn’t want to give you my number.”

He blinked his beautiful eyes, startled by my response. “Are you mad at me?”

How the hell was I supposed to answer that without sounding like a crazy lady? And if I was honest and did tell him how I really felt, he would know how much that little interruption bothered me.

“Why would I be mad at you? I came out tonight to have a little fun with my friends and every time I turn around, you’re there.” I shook my head and rolled my eyes. “Annoyed maybe, but not mad.”

“You sound pissed.” I was pissed, but I was angrier with myself for getting this worked up over a guy I barely knew. He needed to know that I was onto him.

“Why don’t you trot yourself back into the club and go stalk your girlfriend.”

His eyes shot back to mine. “What girlfriend?”

“You know, the one that banged on the door while you had your tongue down my throat.”

His eyebrows shot up in confusion. “Wait a minute.” He held out his hands but I stopped him.

“I’m sorry I gave you the wrong impression. I really am, but I just want to call it a night and go home.”

He looked taken aback by my comment. He was good. I’d give him that. “I really don’t know where all this is coming from, but as far as Megan is concerned, she’s not my girlfriend, she’s an employee”.

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