Page 123 of Mark Us Little Bear
Bradley
You got it.
Piper
I’ll tell my parents the great news.
I grin widely and push the phone into my front pocket.
“What are you smiling about?” Ronnie leans against the counter, lips hovering above mine and I swear my lids are ready to collapse when he looks at me like I’m the only person in the room.
“I’ll tell you later.” I gaze into his hypnotizing eyes, Sugar by Sleep Token starts playing in the background. “Pour me something strong.”
“Looks like I’ll be takingyour assonmy bike.“ He smirks.
“Do you think Amber can fit in the middle?”
“We’ll make her fit.” He places two glasses on the counter and reaches for a bottle on his right.
“Bradley,” a crispy voice calling from behind me, snapping my attention away.
I turn halfway to see, “Mr. Ripley.”
“Please call me Nate.” He shoots his hand forward for a brotherly handshake. “I brought my date here. We met over a month ago, outside, after you punched me in the face.” His tone is playful as he signals someone to join him near the bar. “There you are.”
His date is none other than Gemma.
“I didn’t want to come here,” her eyes lock with Ronnie’s, and panic instantly flashes.
“But I insisted,” Nate explains.
“It’s fine,” Ronnie reassures. “I’ll get you some drinks.”
“I wanted to apologize for the other day. It was my fault for assuming things and behaving like I did. I hope we can put it behind us,” he brings his hand across the bar to shake Ronnie’s.
Ronnie takes it and says, “For sure.”
I settle on a stool as Ronnie hands them two bottles of beer. “Piper told me the good news.”
“She did great, I hope she will compete in the contest. She still has plenty of time to get ready.” He gives Gemma one bottle and takes her hand, “Cheers. See you around.” He winks and they stride away into the busy crowd.
That was unexpected but I’m happy for them.
“Amber told me she saw her here,” Ronnie cups my cheek and turns my head back to him.
“Where is she anyway?” I ask as her head pops behind the counter, going up slowly.
“Kat, slow down.” Amber freezes in place, phone pressed to her ear. Her eyes grow with panic as they meet mine. She speedsout of the bar, shouldering her way through the crowd, toward the exit.
Amber
Ibrush past the bouncers. Kat’s crying on the other end, her voice trembles as she says my name and starts to sob again.
“Kat, are you okay?” Panic starts to lace my voice but I manage to control it and speak sharply. “Are you hurt?” I feel like a demon is breathing down my neck. Or maybe it’s just my own nerves, goosebumps, and cold sweat.
“Am—Amber, it’s d-dad.”
My stomach drops immediately. The worst thoughts plague my mind. And I freeze in place. I want to ask her what happened but I just can’t.
