Page 13 of Careless
The music buzzed through my system, as did the Red Bull that I drank. I was grateful that nobody was pushing alcohol on me because I just wanted to have fun tonight. Bradley was nice, a good dancer, and when I needed water, he led me to the station. I wasn’t about to let him give me an open container. My parents and brothers had taught me better than that.
He leaned down, his breath warm on my neck, and I shifted away slightly, needing space. “So, what are you going to school for?”
“Business and accounting. Honestly, I’m really good with numbers, and I’ve been working with the town bookkeeper and accountant whenever I come to visit my hometown. I like it.”
“That’s all you want to do?”
I did not like his tone, but maybe some people didn’t get it. Not everybody needed to be an astronaut or doctor or lawyer. “I like it. And some months will be harder than others, but it has weekends off. Meaning I can have a life outside of work.”
“Well, that’s a good ambition, then. I don’t know if my dad ever found that balance with being a lawyer and all. But I enjoy school so far. I’m excited for law school in the fall.”
“I almost looked into law school, but I think I like my path more for me. I don’t think I have it in me.”
“Not everybody does.”
I gritted my teeth and told myself that he didn’t mean that as a push at me. I was just oversensitive.
When the couples began to break from each other, taking walks near the small lake, Bradley lifted his chin and gestured towards the path.
“You want to take a walk? It’s lit. You’ll be safe.”
I blinked at him, taking a look around to confirm what he’d said. “Okay. Since the others will be around too. I am a little warm.”
“Then don’t worry, I’ve got you, Felicity.”
We walked down the path some more, and when he took my hand, I didn’t pull away. After a couple of those false steps and conversation, he asked genuine questions and seemed to like hearing about Ashford Creek. I didn’t mention my brother’s name since he had said he was a hockey fan, but when I mentioned the town, his eyes widened.
“Wait, I know that name. Isn’t Callum Ashford from there? The tight end that only made it two years before some dumb ass broke his femur? That break was so bad it still makes the rounds when the talk about shit injuries.”
I winced. “Yes, he’s from there. A family friend, actually.”
“No shit? He was amazing. Probably could have made more than a few bucks if he stayed in. But bad break and all. Literally.”
“He’s doing good for himself now, though.”
“Yeah. But whatever he does now probably pales in comparison to being an NFL star. Just imagine it.”
I wasn’t sure I wanted to. Or could. That part of Callum’s life seemed so far off in the past, it didn’t even seem like the same Callum I knew.
When we made our way to a bench underneath a large tree, he gestured towards it. “Want to take a seat? Get to know one another?”
My hair stood on the back of my neck, and I shook my head. “Maybe we should be getting back. We’re a little far.”
“Oh, Felicity. Just take a seat. You’ll be safe.”
He kept saying that, but I felt anything but safe.
So when he tugged on my wrist, I pulled back. “No. I want to go back.”
“Just a small town girl, after all? What the fuck, Felicity? You’re walking out with me all alone and aren’t going to let me touch you? Stupid bitch.”
And then he pushed towards me, gripping the end of my skirt. I punched out, my fist connecting with his nose.
“Bitch!”
I turned to run, and he tugged on my hair. When he pulled me back to him, I stomped on his inset with my shoes, and he grunted before I elbowed him in the gut. Between my brothers and Miss Congeniality, I’d learned a few things. And yet, as my pulse raced and bile filled my throat, it didn’t feel like enough.
I ran then, my heels digging into the dirt. And then I left them behind, knowing I could run faster barefoot.
