Page 42 of Time To Learn

9

Kristian

The pub is fuckingcrowded tonight, and I almost regret coming out with Alex. But when we’re not working—the tattoo shop is closed every weekend—it can be a bit lonely to hang around at home all the time. I don’t do that well with silence. I prefer the company and sound of people around me instead.

Silence can roar louder when you’re alone than when you’re surrounded by people.

Silence makes you remember the things you’d rather forget.

When he texted me earlier, asking if I wanted to join him again tonight, I jumped at the opportunity. Plus, I wanted to get away from Lise for a while as she kept going on and on about her new horse, Daffodil. I’m happy for her, but when she mentioned the farm, I started to think about Laura again—about her mouth, and what it must feel like to kiss her—and that’s not good for my peace of mind, that’s forsure.

As I sit at the bar, still waiting for Alex, I can’t help but grin at the young fools currently singing along with the folk band on the small stage. You have to hand it to the Scots. They know how to let down their hair and have a goodtime.

I turn in my seat and jerk my chin at the girl manning the bar tonight. I think her name is Hannah, but I’m not toosure.

“One more, please.” I swallow the last of my beer and hand her my empty glass.

She gives me a flirtatious smile andnods.

“You’ve got it. Waiting for your date to turnup?”

I grin at her. I like her wild, red curls and the way small tendrils escape her ponytail, dancing across her collarbone. Her black T-shirt fits her small frame perfectly.

“I’m just waiting for a friend to arrive.”

She wets her lips as she hands me the new beer. She rests her arms on the bar, and my eyes can’t help but fall down to her tits as they’re pushed together.

Damn. Those are quite a handful.

“I get off at one,” she says. “Will you still be around then?” The flirtatious glint in her eyes is hard to dismiss.

And yet, I hesitate.

“It’s Hannah, isn’t it?” I ask instead, avoiding her question. When she nods, her eyes warm, I try not to feel bad about turning herdown.

“Look,” I start, scratching at the old wooden bar. “I’m sort of interested in someone else at the moment, but if that ends up not going anywhere, I’d like to ask you out some other time. You good withthat?”

She tilts her head at me. “Well, that’s bad luck for me, but I understand. And yes, I’m good with that. Just let meknow.”

“Thanks.”

I blow out a relieved breath when she’s interrupted by another customer at the other end of the bar. Relieved and satisfied with the decision I came to last night—taking it easy on hooking up with anyone for a while—I relax in my seat. I don’t have to wait long before Alex appears next tome.

He claps my shoulder. “Sorry I’m late. I had to help mydad.”

I nod, understanding. “No problem.”

Regret seeps into my bones when I think about Alex’s dad. He suffers from MS and is confined to a wheelchair, but he refuses to leave his home and relies a lot on my friend. It can’t be easy, but every time I’ve asked Alex if he needs any help, he shuts me down. I don’t know why, but I don’t push. We don’t have that kind of relationshipyet.

“Aaah, finally,” Alex mutters as he takes the beer from another barmaid. He winks at her, and I chuckle at the fact that he didn’t even have to tell her what draught to get him. “Time to find some pussy and fuck her brainsout.”

I laugh. “I see you’ve got your game on tonight, my friend.”

He waggles his eyebrows at me. “That is true. I need to forget what a shitty week it’sbeen.”

I frown at him and open my mouth to ask him what’s wrong, when he looks over my shoulder, whistling under his breath.

“Well, bloody hell. The object of my desires just walked through the fucking door,” he breathes.