Total pages in book: 89
Estimated words: 83598 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 418(@200wpm)___ 334(@250wpm)___ 279(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 83598 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 418(@200wpm)___ 334(@250wpm)___ 279(@300wpm)
Yep. Here I am, Mr. Barley. The working girl Garrett dressed up fancy and took out like I was something else.
“Fawn,” he said with a warm smile I remembered from the gala.
“Good evening, Mr. Barley,” I replied, flashing my brightest smile, hoping it didn’t look as fake as it felt.
“It’s Mack, please,” he replied, straightening in his seat. “I wasn’t aware you worked here.”
Surprise! I thought it, but didn’t dare say it.
“Yes, sir,” I quipped. “What can I get for you gentlemen this evening?”
He glanced at the man beside him briefly, then back at me. “Have you met Justin?” he asked.
I managed to hold my smile while I shifted my gaze to the other man. “No, I haven’t.”
The man was in his early thirties at best with brown eyes and dark blond hair. His short beard was neatly kept, and he was attractive. Although the gleam in his eyes was a red flag.
Not interested, buddy.
“I’m surprised Garrett allows you to work here,” Mack stated bluntly.
No need to beat around the bush about it there, Mack.
Don’t lose the smile, Fawn, I told myself. Give nothing away.
“We aren’t seeing each other anymore. Although this is where I met Mr. Hughes.”
Now, there is your gossip. Tell me what you want to effing drink.
“You’re the blonde that Garrett dropped to take my sister to the derby?” Justin exclaimed, looking shocked.
While he sat there with his wide eyes, soaking in this newfound knowledge, I felt as if someone had just kicked me in the chest. I winced. I couldn’t help it. That blow hurt way more than I’d imagined it would. I wasn’t going to be able to wait on them. My vision felt blurry, and then I realized I wasn’t breathing. Sucking in some oxygen, I tried the best I could to school my face.
“Lucky girl,” I said as nicely as I could. “Now, may I get either of you something?”
Please, for the love of God, order something and let me go get a moment to compose myself.
“I was thinking more like, What the fuck was Garrett thinking?” Justin drawled.
“Easy,” Mack warned the other man as his gaze scanned the room nervously.
What was he afraid of?
Justin shrugged. “What? He’s finished with her.”
Mack winced and gave me an apologetic look, then turned to his friend. “Trust me, you need to shut up,” he warned the man under his breath.
“Ease up, man,” Justin told him. “Garrett is interested in Loxley. I’ve spoken to her. Seen the outfits she’s taking to the derby, which he paid for. Whatever he had with”—he paused and grinned at me—“the stunning Fawn here, it’s over.”
Mack rubbed his temples. “I’m sorry, Fawn. Could you get us each a Glenlivet Twelve Year, please? Mine neat, his three ice cubes.”
Grateful for a reason to bolt, I nodded, but couldn’t manage any words. Hurrying to the bar, I was struggling to catch my breath. The searing pain in my chest wasn’t my only problem. My eyes were stinging, and the lump in my throat was taking over.
Kent, the bartender for the lounge tonight, took one look at me and nodded toward the door. “Tell me their order and go. You look like you’re about to fall apart.”
I didn’t argue. He was right. I was about to crumble. I croaked out their order and hurried out the door and down to the dressing room. If I could just get there before I lost it.
I’d walked out of his house three days ago, and he was already dating another woman and had bought her outfits to wear. While I was struggling to make it through each day, he had just moved on.
God, why did it hurt so bad? Why had that stupid man walked in the lounge tonight and told me? I wanted to unhear it.
I burst into the dressing room as the first wail escaped me. Not checking to see if anyone else was in the room, I sank down onto my knees and let the sobs go.
If only crying made things feel better. Eased some of the hurt. It did neither, but I cried until the tears dried up and my throat was raw. I had to go home. I was done here. Working here was too much. I shouldn’t have thought I could stay. Sniffling, I stood up and went to change and pack up all my things. I’d call Silas tomorrow. Right now, I didn’t want anyone to see me like this.
Twenty-Six
Garrett
I gripped the stool beside me as I watched the security film in the dressing room. When Silas had met me at the door tonight and asked if I’d follow him, the nervous expression on his face had made me tense up. Waiting to see what it was he needed me to watch was only stirring my foul mood.
The moment Fawn had left my house, I’d fallen into a darkness I didn’t see a way out of. No one was safe from my current state, and I doubted it was going to end anytime soon. If someone had messed with Fawn’s shit again, I was going to fucking kill them.