Page 9 of Pucking Bad Boys

“I took an Uber. I was planning on drinking before a certain bartender didn’t believe that my fake ID was real.” I chuckle.

“Ok, then. Give me a sec to get my things and I’ll be right out.”

I watch as she dips back into the empty bar.

True to her word, Talia is back a few minutes later. The lights go out right before she comes out, and I wait as she locks the front door.

“This way.”

We walk past a parking lot right outside the entrance of the pier, but rather than walking toward the main road my Uber took on the way here, we turn in the opposite direction.

The road is parallel to the beach for about half a mile. A railway bridge creates an underpass, and Talia is headed toward it.

While the road and the bridge itself are illuminated, the underpass stares at us like a pitch black hole.

When Talia turns on the light on her phone, I do the same and follow her under the bridge.

I spot some graffiti on the walls and ceiling, but my attention is focused on the pretty bartender. “Your boyfriend should have come to pick you up.” I bite out. “The way to your house doesn’t look very safe.”

Am I fishing for information about her dating status? Fuck, yeah.

“I grew up here and I know everyone.” Luckily, she doesn’t take my observation the wrong way. “Star Cove is a relatively safe town.”

“Relatively doesn’t inspire a lot of confidence. And it’s not just the townies you need to watch out for. What if those three fuckers from earlier had followed you?”

To my surprise, Talia doesn’t argue with me on that. “You’re right. Maybe I should have taken the long way home. But this shortcut cuts a twenty-minute walk in half.”

“You should have someone walk you home then. Can’t your boyfriend pick you up from work?” I insist.

Talia sees straight through my fishing expedition, at least judging by the way she smiles at me when she puts me out of my misery.

“Yeah, that would be great if I had a boyfriend. But since I don’t, it’s my job to keep myself out of trouble when I don’t meet a nice stranger willing to be my knight in shining armor.”

Knowing that Talia is single is the best thing I’ve heard in a long time. I also love the idea of being her knight in shining armor. I know she doesn’t need me to protect her. She can kick ass all on her own. But the caveman inside me feels incredibly protective right now.

We walk for a few more minutes in a comfortable silence that envelops us like a warm blanket on this late summer night.

Truth be told, I have a zillion questions I’d like to ask her. But I’m too distracted by all kinds of intrusive thoughts to make conversation. I want to hold her hand. I want to tell her that I don’t know what’s happening to me because I’ve never felt this attracted to a woman before. The crazy part? It isn’t just because she’s obviously stunning. It’s the way she smiles. The hint of snark in her tone when something makes her laugh. The unmissable kindness in the way she interacts with others, unless they’re being creeps. And the way she stands up for herself.

I’m dying to get closer, but I hesitate. We’re strangers. What if she’s just being friendly, but she doesn’t find me as attractive as I find her?

There’s only one way to find out. Shoot your shot, Becks. You know, if Mack were in your shoes, he would have already kissed her.

I grind my teeth at the voice in my head, because he’s right. Mack is one of the most confident people I know. Not that it’s hard for him to be when he aces everything he ever does.

I love my big brother, but growing up in his shadow hasn’t been easy. I’ve always had something to prove. To our parents, to our coaches, to the fucking world.

Even with women. Whenever we went somewhere together, he would be the center of attention without even trying.

If he were the one walking Talia home, he wouldn’t hesitate to let her know that he wanted her.

Fuck it. I’m going to try to hold her hand, and if she doesn’t tell me to get lost, I’ll kiss her.

“We’re home.” She says.

I was so wrapped up in my thoughts that I didn’t notice the sprawling apartment complex that came into view.

Talia stops by a tall, wrought-iron gate. A sign announces that we’re atThe Cove Bungalows.