Page 54 of Against the Autumn Pines
The works were there, but none of them were what caught my attention. Oh no.
I was behind the bar before Damien could say anything or ask a single question. My hand wrapped around the smooth wood, and I swear the devil on my shoulder purred. Walking out the front door, my heels feeling somewhat unsteady in the gravel parking lot, but I didn’t care. I thought about kicking the shoes off, but I didn’t want to waste time or give anyone an opportunity to stop me.
I didn’t care about anything right now except my one and only intention.
I knew exactly what I was looking for—the matte blue bike sat there next to the twin one in black. I knew the black was Rowan’s, which meant the blue? That belonged to his twin brother.
It was comical really, because I’d seen this very bike drive past my bakery again and again. Did he know then too? Or was it by chance?
Had he been fucking her this entire time?
My arms were in the air, hands wrapped around the grip, and I swung as hard as I could.
Was I the problem?
Smash.
What the fuck did Mia have that I didn’t?
Crack.
Why was I even thinking that way? It shouldn’t have been a competition—right?
Slam.
We weren’t even exclusive, right?
Crunch.
It didn’t matter, none of it. I wasn’t stopping now.
Again. Again. And again.
Chest heaving, sweat dripping down my chest into my dress, my throat on fire because apparently I was screaming while I swung with all my might.
I heard gravel crunching and movement around me, but I kept swinging.
Nothing could stop me now.
27
QUITE THE ARM
Wyatt
Of all thegod damn nights for this chick to show up and “stake her claim”, it had to be now? When I was in the middle of wooing a woman like Ember? After I’d told her I wasn’t interested and even went as far as blocking her number?
“What do you want, Mia?”
“Oh come on baby, I’ve missed you,” the petite blond whined in my lap as she tried to wind her arms around my neck.
I tried to politely peel her off of me without dumping her onto the dirty bar floor, but she was like a leech, and I was attempting the gentlemanly type of route here.
“Mia, I mean this with the most respect, but I feel like my saying I’m done and then not returning your calls made my stance on the matter very clear.” I slowly started to standuntil she was forced to get off my lap. “Plus, I’m seeing someone,” I added as I stood to my full height and peered down at her.
“Uh, bro?” Theo muttered next to me.
“What the fuck do you mean? You’reseeingsomeone?” Mia yelled over the music, her eyes wide and lips parted. As I stared down at her and her shiny pink lip gloss, I questioned what in the hell I was thinking hooking up with her, let alone multiple times.
