Page 6 of Crashing Into You
“Don’t thank me,” Aaron says. “Thank the asshole in the blue shirt.”
“What?”
Aaron nods his head towards the bar. “That’s what he told me to say. Don’t know which of you ladies caught his eye, but good luck with it. He gets around.”
He’s gone before we can ask anything else. We all turn to the bar. This time, when Bryce sees us looking, he winks, lifting his beer.
“Fuck me,” Joss breathes. “Half your luck, Claire.”
Because, apart from the message that came with the drinks, it’s blindingly obvious that it’s me he’s looking at.
“You sure you don’t wanna go over there?” Sal whispers, which makes me want to giggle. My stomach is flip-flopping and, when Bryce grins at me, it does a sort of flutter.
Going over there feels like madness. I stand up.
“Go get him,” Joss says.
“I’m going to the ladies,” I hiss. “I need a minute.”
I need to leave. I don’t know why I’m having such a strong reaction to Bryce, but again I feel as though my world is twisting off-kilter, like when I pricked my finger. But I can’t just walk out.
As I make my way across the crowded room, I see Bryce straighten up, an expectant expression on his face. But it changes as I go past him, heading towards the bathrooms. Then a hand grabs my arm, pulling me through the crowd.
“What the hell?” I resist, but then I realise who grabbed me. My whole body suddenly feels as though it’s covered in ice. I can’t move.
It’s him.
My ex.
Bryce
The Inlet pub has changed a bit over the years, but it’s still got a great view of the sunset, looking from the hilltop out to sea.
Still smells the same, too, despite the latest makeover. Beer and good times. A hint of sunscreen. I’ve been coming here since I was tall enough to blag my way inside, had many a drink at the long bar. Had a few kisses in the car park too. And in other places.
It’s crowded tonight; all the tables on the patio are full and there’s not much space to move inside either. Matt and Kylie are already heading for a spot at the bar when I see her.
The girl from the shop.
She’s wearing the same shorts, but this time with a turquoise tube top, her slender tanned shoulders bare. As she turns, looking over her shoulder with those ocean-dark eyes, I meet her gaze.
And something sparks between us. At least, that’s how it feels, a bit like a firework in my chest. What the hell?
She turns back to her friends, both of whom are also looking at me. Okay. So that’s how it’s going to be, is it? I head to the bar and join Matt and Kylie. When the bartender comes over, I place my order, pointing out the table. “Tell them it’s from the asshole in the blue shirt.”
Matt raises his eyebrows but doesn’t say anything. Kylie grins, then shakes her head. “What are you playing at now?” she says, the words full of affection. “Hasn’t all your messing around already got you in enough trouble?”
I shared my woes with Matt and Kylie when I got back to their place after my surf. Matt, after laughing his head off, punched me in the arm and told me to get my shit together. Kylie was more sympathetic, concern in her eyes. I hate worrying her. And I know they’re right. But something in me can’t resist playing around.
“Just watch and learn,” I say. The girl gets to her feet, and I wait, confident that in a few moments I’ll finally be able to talk to her and get a bit closer to those fabulous tits.
But, instead of coming to the bar, she bypasses me, heading towards the ladies’. Kylie splutters into her drink.
“Yeah, you’re a real master, Bryce,” she giggles.
I don’t understand. I watch the girl heading across the room, my brows drawing together. Then someone grabs her by the arm, pulling her away. It’s a tall guy, dressed in black jeans and some sort of baggy shirt, his long dark hair tied up in a bun on top of his head. Looks like a tosser, I think, as I throw the rest of my drink back. If that’s her type then I’m not going to bother.
Then I catch a glimpse of her face. She looks, and there’s no other word to describe it, terrified. Her friends are already getting to their feet, looking concerned. But I’m closer.
