Page 19 of Make Me Whole
Chapter Ten
BRADLEY
I was morethan ready to be done with this week.I WAS MORE than ready to be done with this week.
Not because I'd worked myself to the bone. I was used to the weary feeling. The little brunette constantly racing through my mind, not so much.
If she wasn't invading my space, she was hijacking my thoughts and fantasies. On more than one occasion, I'd found myself wondering how it would feel to run my hands over her curves or tangle my fingers in her hair. What sounds she'd make when I loved on her body just right.
I blamed those damn form-fitting clothes she insisted on wearing.
And to make matters even worse, she'd impressed just about everyone with how easily she'd taken to her tasks. More than once I'd walked in on her and Mavis in the kitchen; laughing and chatting without a care in the world.
The way she looked like she belonged here, had uneasiness creeping into my veins and I had no idea why.
With a firm shake of my head, I pushed all thoughts of Hailey and her hot little body to the back of my mind—where they belonged. I snatched my wallet from my nightstand, and after tucking a condom I'd retrieved from my drawer inside, I slipped the leather into my back pocket.
After giving myself a quick once over, I bounced down the stairs and came to an abrupt halt when I rounded into the family room and found Sawyer pleading with Hailey.
"Aw, come on, Hailey. It'll be fun."
She was in the process of shaking her head when her eyes met mine. I didn't miss the little hitch in her breath or the way her green eyes went wide. Neither did my friend. He turned to face me, a mischievous grin playing on his lips. "Bradley, help me convince Hailey to join us."
Why in the hell would I do that? The entire reason for tonight's outing was so I could forget about her and her kissable lips and how desperately I wanted to taste them. As if she knew what I was thinking, her teeth sunk into her bottom lip while she fiddled with the braid hanging over her shoulder.
"She's a big girl, she can do what she wants to." I didn't mean for my words to sound as harsh as they did. When Sawyer only shook his head, I knew he didn't approve.
He turned to face Hailey, his voice soft, "The offer stands."
She reached forward and placed her hand on his arm and for whatever reason, it irritated the shit out of me. "Thank you, Sawyer. But I don't drink. Going to a bar would be rather…pointless." Something in her voice had me paying closer attention to her. I could tell she tried to mask it, but the sadness I'd heard burned bright in her eyes.
"Come on, Sawyer. Let's go." The last thing I expected was to see Hailey look at me with gratitude. As I spun on my heel and stomped out of the house, I tried to forget the distraught look in those green depths and the need I felt to take away whatever had hurt her.
As I knew he would, Sawyer soon fell into step beside me. Without looking at him, I muttered, "Best take your own truck, I ain't planning on coming home alone." When he didn't answer me, I cast a sideways glance his way in time to see him shake his head. "What?"
"Nothing." Without another word, he set off. As I watched him climb into his truck and pull away, I figured I was losing my damn mind because never before had my friend being disappointed in me bothered me as much as it did now.
I tried my best to ignore the feeling but long after we'd arrived at Double Tap it was still there. Gnawing on my gut like a freaking parasite that simply wouldn't let go. Shifting in my seat, I turned my attention to Sawyer who was looking at his draft as if it was his best friend. "Are you going to tell me why you're pissed with me or just sulk all night?"
He continued to stare at his drink, seemingly mesmerized by the amber liquid.
"Sawyer?"
Without looking at me, he said, "I'm not pissed. I just don't understand you sometimes." He angled his body to face me. "You're not a bad guy and yet you've been nothing but rude to Hailey since she arrived."
"Are you her boyfriend now? 'Cause you're sure as shit defending her like one." I refused to acknowledge the edge to my voice had anything to do with jealousy.
For the second time, he shook his head. "You know what? Forget it."
I lifted my beer again, draining what was left of it. With a heavy sigh, I set the empty bottle on a coaster before pushing it back. "That was uncalled for."
"Damn straight, it was." His tone softened a bit. "What's up with you, anyway?"
Josh, the bartender, appeared, aiming a questioning gaze at our drinks. I nodded and after he moved away to get us another round, I turned my attention back to Sawyer. "I dunno, man. Maybe I need to get laid."
For the first time tonight, a genuine smile spread across his face. "If it's going to help remove the stick from your ass…" Arching a brow, he pinned me with a stare.
"Yeah, yeah. I've been a dick, I get it."
