Page 22 of Pretend
I look at my watch. Despite the numbers on it, the night still feels young. Either way, I don’t stop him.
“I would just think you’d want to spend more time together on my last night out.” My biceps tense as I lean on the counter, trying to get a peak at his phone screen, “Who’s texting you so late?” I take a swig from my beer.
I feel like he’s hiding something from me, and I can’t help it. But guilt immediately replaces my assumptions, and I try to bite back my tongue and retract my question, but I fail.
He’s never given me a reason not to trust him.
“Huh?” He pockets his phone and pretends he can’t hear me. His body goes rigid like he’s afraid I’m reading his brain.
“Your phone…what’s going on?” I place one hand on my hip and lean on it.
“Oh, it’s nothing. It’s just my sister. Goodnight, babe…love you.” He cuts our conversation short in a distasteful manner. He’s defensive, and I want to poke and pry, but it’s not the right time.
It’s midnight, and he still hasn’t wished me a happy birthday. Instead, he came in for free beers with his friends, talked to anyone else but me, and is leaving without noticing the damage he’s done to me.
“Night.” My tone rolls with an obvious irritation at his oblivious behavior.
“Alessia, babe, are you really mad at me right now?” He rolls his eyes. “I came to El Devine for you.” There he goes again—his gaslighting and manipulation, which he’s mastered so well over the course of our relationship.
I don’t want to argue in public. El Devine’s bar owner, Gabe, walks back and forth behind us, attending to customers. Drink after drink, shot after shot. Winters by my side, watching us.
“Of course not.” A fake smile lights up on my face. “Look, I’m fine. Just go, please. Get home safe.”
His eyes soften, and for a second, I think he realizes what he’s doing to me…the night before I leave for months. It’s my birthday, and I’m still hoping for some type of affection.
It hurts when you put so much into a relationship and then feel like you’re the only thing keeping it afloat.
“Okay, night.” He turns around on his heels and heads for the exit without doing any sort of double-take. There is no kiss on the cheek—nothing but a numb farewell.
He probably doesn’t remember that today is my birthday, or maybe he has a surprise for me at home.
He reaches the doors in no time. He walks out, picking up his phone again, but this time, he holds it to his ear like he’s making a phone call.
I want to go after him. I want to ask him why he’s been such an ass lately. But then Winter’s calls my name, snapping me out of my thoughts.
“Alessia, Bailey is gonna bring us some nachos on the house.”
I’m still upset about the whole PSD situation. I turn around, and she places her hand on my shoulder and squeezes in a comforting gesture.
My eyes search for Daegan down the counter, and he’s nowhere to be seen anymore. All I see is Danny Rider and Enzo Rooker chatting away.
Maybe he left.
It’ll be my first deployment, and I have a babysitter.
With a SEAL that wears a mask.
Cody Jinks plays loud, and I tap my fingers to the music. The bar will keep its doors open until three in the morning, and then I get to go home and make sure I have everything ready to go and packed for my upcoming deployment.
I have to ensure I have all the proper uniforms and equipment accounted for.
My phone buzzes in the back pocket of my jeans, vibrating against the bar stool.
Unknown: How’s your boyfriend doing? Did he get a band-aid for his little flesh wound?
8
ALESSIA
