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She clears her throat. “We’re not talking about me; besides, I already told you I’m not dishing those details about my aversion to all things Dean Warren until you tell me why you seem to have the same feelings toward Hawk.”
“You’ve made your point. Maybe we can talk over wine at my place this weekend?” I offer.
“Yes! I knew I was your best friend! Best friends share stuff like this. I got your back, girl!” she sings into the phone.
Briella has a way with words…and people. I feel a little weight lift knowing I can confide in her and finally get the past off my chest. Maybe it’ll help me get over it. I should’ve been over it a long time ago, but that kind of betrayal runs soul deep.
“Yeah, yeah, You’re my best friend. There, I said it. I work tonight, so maybe tomorrow night?”
“I’ll be there with bells on, Britt!” She makes a kiss noise in my ear before ending the call.
I scoop up my mug again and drain it as my mind replays the memory of seeing Hawk again. I grab a refill and my guitar from the stand before getting my paper and pen ready and then I let my fingertips strum the strings lazily until I start to play the tune I’m feeling. I close my eyes and smile. It may have been an unpleasant surprise to see Hawk Abbott again after all this time, but it seems, he may just be my musical muse.
Hours later into my shift at High Road, things are running smoothly. No fights, no broken glass, nothing spilled which required a mop. Then about eight thirty, in strolls Hawk Abbott. He slides onto a barstool opposite from where I’m standing, but oh so close to the stage where I’m about to sing.
Some nights, a local band plays here at High Road. It’s a group of guys who’ve been friends forever and they play mostly for fun. They have gigs from time to time in surrounding towns, but they’ve never chased the Nashville dream. Zander, knowing I’m an aspiring singer/songwriter, roped me into singing with them when they’re here. It’s fun and I feel alive when it’s just me, the microphone, and the music vibrating in my chest.
Zander keeps pushing for me to sing an original song with the band, but I’m not quite ready to share my lyrics with the world yet. Well, Greendale Valley is not the world per se, but it’s still someone other than a glass of wine, my house plants, and my empty apartment.
I steel my spine and roll my shoulders back. Zander is outside helping the guys bring in their instruments and equipment, so I’m alone at the bar until he returns. I cautiously approach where Hawk’s seated and place a coaster in front of him on the bar. Unlike last night when seeing him was a shock, I’m prepared to face him now…sort of. “What can I get you?”
When he peers up at me, I’m met with his green eyes. For a moment, I hold my breath and simply take in their beauty. He’s always had the most unusual shade of green. They’re so light, they’re almost clear. He studies me a few seconds before answering. “An apology would be nice,” he says bluntly. No trace of humor or the boy I once knew in sight.
The feeling of almost falling and catching yourself—the one where your blood must freeze and then you realize it was a false alarm, and it’s almost painful when the blood flows again—it’s how this encounter has made me feel so far.
“Excuse me? I don’t owe you one,” I counter.
A cold smile that doesn’t reach his eyes tips up his lips. “Keep living with the silly notion the world is yours,dolcezza.”
“You bastard. You lost the right to say my name a long time ago, let alone call me that,” I grit out, ready to lose any composure I have left.
“Yeah, you’re right, I shouldn’t call you that. It’s the furthest thing from the truth, isn’t it? You lure people in so you can catch them in your spiderweb of lies. I should be calling you abugiarda,” he says with venom, all hints of even the cold smile now missing from his impossibly handsome face.
“You’re callingmea liar? How dare you after what you did to me?” I’m shaking now.
“If the shoe fits…” He trails off before adding in a clipped tone, “I did nothing to you.”
I’m about to rip into him and have it out here and now when Zander places a firm hand on my shoulder. “Everything okay here, Britt?”
I turn to him and see his chiseled jaw working and his brows drawn in concern. Zander would throw down for me in a heartbeat, but I’d never allow it. Hawk Abbott isn’t worth the effort.
I force a smile and tuck my fury back down where it belongs. “Yep, all good. About to get Mr. Abbott a drink.”
Zander glances between the two of us. The look on his face leaves no room for argument. Zander has a jaw cut from granite. Hawk may be big, but Zander almost matches him in every way. Hawk has the balls to laugh, earning a scowl from me and a menacing glare from Zander.
“Get Mr. Abbott his drink. We have other customers waiting, Britt,” he says in a tone I haven’t heard before.
It causes a chill to run down my spine. He’s always been nothing but kind to me, and a good friend even if he is my boss. He passes me one more glance as he goes to the other end of the bar where a few more customers wait to place drink orders.
“I don’t think your boyfriend likes me much,” Hawk mocks as he laughs.
“Do you want a drink or not?” I ask sharply.
“So, you don’t deny it, then? You’re dating your boss,” he says, like he’s got it all figured out.
It’s my turn to offer the cold smile. I lean over so I’m a few breaths from his nose. “Any right you had to know anything about me died the moment I saw you with my sister. If you’re done with this little trip down memory lane, I can get you a drink or some food, otherwise I need to get back to work. What’s it gonna be, Mr. Abbott?”
Hawk’s beautiful green eyes widen at first, then he grits his teeth and his nostrils flare like I revealed a maddening secret. No, I didn’t ever tell him I saw anything, but he knows now.
