AllFreeNovel
Share Us
After I inputted her order, I helped my other tables, well aware of her gaze tracking me around the restaurant as I worked.
Unfortunately, her steak finished quickly and I had to bring it to her table. She sniffed at the slab of expertly cooked meat like it was dog food and then sat back in her chair.
“What’s most disappointing though, Blake, is that you aren’t just worthless like your parents, but you’re a cheater too—just like your mother. Cheating on Clark was the biggest mistake you've ever made. Notruedaughter of mine could be so stupid."
Each word felt like a dagger to my heart, hitting on all the insecurities about the situation with Clark that Ari had tried to stitch up.
I felt the walls closing in around me. My heart pounded erratically in my chest, and my breaths grew shallow and quick. Panic was setting in, and there was no escape.
The clamor of the restaurant faded into the background as I struggled to maintain my composure. Each breath felt like a battle, and I clung desperately to the edge of reason.
My hands trembled as I tried to discreetly wipe away the tears that welled up in my eyes. I felt a tightening in my chest, a heavy weight that threatened to crush me. The noise of the restaurant came back as a deafening roar in my ears, and I forced myself to stay on my feet.
"What the hell is going on here?" Ari’s voice cut through the noise. I turned towards the sound of it, like it was a lifeline.
He was standing there like some kind of superhero, his fists clenched at his side, his face a mask of fury. Every muscle in his body was tense, like he was having to work hard to hold himself back from lunging at Maura.
Maura's smile faltered, and for the first time, she seemed taken aback. "And who might you be?" she sneered.
"Ari Lancaster," he said, his voice firm, "Blake's boyfriend. And I'd advise you to be very careful about anything you say next.”
Maura laughed, a bitter sound that sent chills cascading everywhere. She glanced at me. “A hockey player, Blake? Really?” She shook her head. “That’s who you betrayed Clark for?”
Anger flashed through me. She could talk about me all she wanted. But she couldn’t talk about him. Not ever.
He was everything.
She glanced back to Ari.
"Do you even know how messed up she is?"
He scoffed, like she’d told a bad joke. “Shut the fuck up.”
“Ahh, you have no idea who she really is, do you?” Maura mused. “You don’t know about the medication, or the panic attacks…or her eating disorder.”
I froze, my heart feeling like it was being squeezed. Heat crept up my neck. Humiliation was streaking through me. It felt like I might melt into the floor. All my secrets were out there, laid bare for Ari to see.
I couldn’t even look at him.
He was never going to think of me the same after this. He was perfect. He wouldn’t be able to stand me. She’d just ruined my one chance for happiness. Tears welled up in my vision.
“I usually don’t hit women, but I’ll make an exception for you if you aren’t out of here in the next five seconds,” Ari hissed, and a flash of fear actually rippled across Maura’s face.
Maura's eyes narrowed, and she regarded Ari with a cold detachment. "Very well," she said with a dismissive wave of her hand. "But remember, you have no idea what you've gotten yourself into."
The air was thick with her satisfaction as she picked up her purse and slid gracefully out of her seat.
“Tell the manager I was so disgusted with the service here that I didn’t eat a bite,” Maura said haughtily as she strode towards the exit without paying.
I wanted to collapse to the ground, but I didn't want to give her that satisfaction if she happened to look back. So I just stood there, my whole body shaking, and I watched her leave.
“Come on, sunshine,” Ari murmured hoarsely. “Let’s get you out of here.” He led me to the back entrance, and I was well aware of all the eyes watching us. I was also most likely going to be fired because of Maura’s dine and dash and the fact that I was leaving before my shift was over.
I just couldn’t find it in myself to care.
Ari led me down the alley in the back of the restaurant and then down a side street to where his car was packed. I was numb as he opened my door, buckled my seatbelt, and then rushed over to the other side.
He started to drive, and I was aware of his worried gaze boring into me, but I ignored it, staring out my window steadfastly.
