Mended (2 page)

“Keith,” I say with a laugh. “He’s like an older brother.”

“Okay, so what’s with the army of men? You, like, in some kind of trouble?” I nearly trip on flat ground with his guess.

“You’re pretty observant for only knowing me for, what, nine hours?”

He pulls the collar of his jacket up higher to keep the chill off his neck. “It’s sorta something I do. I love to people watch.” He stops and turns to face me. “I’m just offering an ear if you need it.” He points with his head. “This is me.” I smile when I see we are standing in front of my building.

“What floor?”

His face drops. “Oh—ah…I didn’t mean…”

I grin when I realize how that just sounded. “I meant what floor, because I live on the fifth.”

He tosses his head back, laughing. “I’m in 5G.”

“5H.” I extend a hand. “Nice to meet you, neighbor.”

We take the stairs, bitching about the elevator, and saying goodbye outside our doors. Once inside, I check my phone, which is on the counter where I left it. I keep forgetting I own one now. Two missed calls from Keith and a text letting me know he won’t be spending the night.

My stomach twists when I realize I’ll be on my own for the first time since moving here. My finger taps the counter as I re-read the message. I guess I’m going to have to get used to this. It is what I wanted. I text him back saying I’m home and no problem.

After a long shower, I still can’t seem to unwind, even though the water felt wonderful. I pull on yoga pants and a tank top and lie in bed, pulling the covers to my chin. I find myself staring at the ceiling, wishing I could stop jumping at everything that goes bump in the night.

Tears leak out as I think of Cole. I wonder if he’s thinking of me. Probably not in the way I’d want. I want to call him so badly to find out if he really meant those words, but I can’t. I can’t show weakness; I have to stay strong. I stroke absently along the spot next to me, feeling the coldness of the sheets there, and jerk my hand back. I curl into a ball and let my armor flake away. Oh, I miss him so much. I would do anything to smell him right now. Then I remember something, and my feet hit the cold wood floor, hurrying my steps. Yanking open the top right drawer, I see it tucked neatly inside. I remove my tank top and pull on Cole’s camo t-shirt. His name, Logan, wraps around my back almost like it’s his arm. Looking around my room, I decide this just won’t do, so I grab my comforter and pillow. Instead of going back to bed, I head out to the living room where I click on the TV and make myself comfy on the couch facing the door. I spend the next four hours watching reruns of Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.

At nine in the morning, I hear a knock at the door. Keith always texts when he’s in the building. Standing on my tiptoes, I peek through the peephole and laugh, opening the door to Jake standing in a pair of fleece PJ pants holding an empty mug, his blond hair pointing every which way.

“I smell coffee,” he moans like he’s still asleep.

Opening the door wider, I let him in. “Are you sleepwalking?” I joke as I lock all five locks behind him.

His eyes are still slits, but I see him take in my bed on the couch and Cole's shirt. “If I am, will you still share that delicious smelling coffee?”

“Come on,” I laugh, waving him toward the kitchen. Jake plunks down on a bar stool as I move about, fixing us each a cup. “Cheers.” I clink my mug to his, and he grins as he sips the brew.

“Sweet Lucifer down in hell, what is this?” At first I think he’s being insulting, but his face says otherwise.

I lean my hip into the counter and give him a look. “I add a little something to the coffee.”

“Savi, I hope you realize what you did,” he says with a smirk. “From now on you are now my morning date.”

I smile.
See, Savi, progress
. Jake and I spend the rest of the day camped out under the warmth of my comforter. I’m totally at ease with him. He’s never once made me feel uncomfortable, and I figure if Zack trusts him, I can. We order pizza and watch a marathon of Louie CK standups until an hour before our shift starts. Keith texts a few times, and I assure him I’m fine, because I am…at the moment. I’ve made a friend.

“Savi, can I ask you something?” Jake says, taking a wet napkin to his greasy fingers. “Who’s Logan?” I’m thrown by his question until he points to the back of my shirt.
Oh
. “Looks like a legit army shirt, and I’m guessing you’re not in the force.”

“He’s—was my boyfriend,” I stumble, feeling that knife to the heart.

Jake nods and shifts so he faces me. “Was it serious?” I nod. “Is he still around?”

“Yeah, it just ended recently, so it’s still raw.” My voice is barely a whisper.

He smiles, leaning his chin on his hand. “You love him, don’t you?”

“I do.”

“It sucks to love someone but not be with them.” He sighs.

I feel like he may be referring to something in his life, but I don’t pry. “Yeah, it does.”

“Why do I feel like you have quite the history, Savannah…?” He waits for my last name, but I hesitate. He watches me for a moment. I can see him thinking, then his whole face brightens. “All right, no more prying today. We have to get to work. I’ll be waiting for you outside your door in forty-five. For the love of god, do something with that hair of yours!” He laughs and snags another piece of pizza as he heads out the door.

We make it to work on time and the day passes quickly.

“You two look great!” Zack shouts, slapping his hands together. Jake and I are practicing our bar flare, and find we make a pretty good team. “Oh, Jake, your father called again.” As Jake's face goes white, Zack quickly adds, “I told him you don’t work here anymore.”

“Okay,” is all Jake says in reply.
So, Jake has a story too.

The phone buzzes in my pocket, but I don’t take time to look at it because I have a whole snowboard team taking up a table near the window. I grab the iPad and hurry over for the order. Thankfully, they all want the same thing, six pitchers of Bud Light. Once they are looked after, I head back to the counter where Don from last night is downing a scotch, neat.

Jake gives me an annoyed expression and hands me the guy’s receipt. “The creep wants
you.
He was pissed I made his first drink, because apparently you can fuck up pouring scotch into a glass…jackass.”

I roll my eyes, agreeing, but it’s all part of the business.

“Don,” I say with zero emotion, “would you like another?”

He licks his lips as he stares at my breasts. “Yes, I sure would.” He holds out his glass, and when I reach for it, he runs his free hand up my arm. “Such a pretty woman.”

Stepping away and getting a new glass from the bar, I turn my back while I pour. A strange feeling prickles up my spine. I look around, then freeze as I see Cole standing by the door watching. He's in a dark dress shirt and pants, his suit jacket hanging off his arm. Slowly approaching the bar top, he leans on the counter. All the while his eyes burn through me.

“You gonna drink that, or am I?” Don’s arrogant voice breaks through the pull Cole has on me. I sit his drink in front of him and reach out to the bar top for support.

Cole pulls at his tie, undoing it, and tosses it on the counter near my hand. I resist the urge to hold it up to my nose and draw in his intoxicating scent. Instead I just pour him a brandy from the top shelf and sit it in front of him as I slowly raise my eyes to meet his stare.

“Thank you.” He nods and takes a long sip from the glass.

I muster up all my strength and try to act like his presence isn’t affecting my body. “Were you away?” I pick up the rag and dry a non-existent spill.

“I just came back from Washington,” he sighs, rubbing his head.

“Have you been home yet?” The words fall from my mouth.

“No, I haven’t been
home
yet.” His eyes met mine, holding me captive, his mouth wet from the brandy.

“You just needed a drink?”

He shakes his head. “Old habits die hard.” His eyes drop to my lips, and everything in my body begs me to lean forward. My tongue darts out as my lips scream for moisture. If we were alone right now, I know I’d give in.

“Sweetie, could I order some food?” Don asks, obviously irritated he’s not getting any attention. I close my eyes and try to snap out of this bubble. I turn to find Don waving a menu at me. “I’ll take a medium rare steak, with fries and a side of slaw.”

“Anything else?”

He reaches in his back pocket, pulls out something, and leans forward, tucking his hotel room key in my cleavage. I toss it on the counter as I turn away, only to hear him chuckle. “You’ll give in to me soon, sweetheart.”

The mirror in front of me catches Cole’s murderous expression, but he stays in his chair.

Throughout the evening, Cole never leaves his stool, barely speaking to me, just observing. Don is extra flirty, which is extremely annoying. Jake is busy but asks if I want Zack to escort Don out. I say no because he’s already dropped at least two hundred in the last two nights. I can handle myself.

“Thirty minutes,” Jake calls out to me, which means bed in sixty-five. “Are you going to get any sleep tonight?”

“What?” I spin around on my heel.

“Come on, Savi, sleeping on your couch and your eyes puffy from crying. Don’t lie to me, girl, I know lack of sleep when I see it.” I sneak a glance at Cole, who is, of course, still watching and listening to us.

“Logan,” a voice calls out, and Keith takes a seat next to Cole.

Jake catches my eye, looks with one eyebrow raised at Cole, points a finger at him, then slowly moves it to me. “Ohhh, seriously?” I pull on his arm to get him to stop, pleading with him to shut up. He grins in a boyish way and gives me a slow wink. “I’ll go punch out for us.”

“Thanks,” I mutter, trying to tone down the blush I know must be there. I turn to wipe down the bar and see Zack approaching us, smiling at the guys as he gets closer.

“Savi, you’re doing great! Everyone loves you here.” Zack comes around the bar, high-fiving me. “I heard one of the customers is being a bit of a handful.”

“Nothing I can’t handle,” I assure him.

“Who?” Keith asks Zack, ignoring me.

Zack leans against the bar. “He’s a monthly, works for a sports magazine. Bit of a jerk, but nothing to worry about. Besides Jake is watching over her, so she’ll be fine.”

Cole gets up and walks behind the counter to wash out his glass only inches from me. I can feel his warmth, and I sneak in a quick breath as I give in to the addiction of his scent. As soon as the smell attacks my senses, I have to walk away. It’s like a kick straight to the gut. I head out back to my locker to grab my coat and change from my flats to my boots. I sink down onto the bench, feeling just how tired I am. The three-block walk home seems like ten.

“I don’t like you working here.” Cole’s body fills the doorway. He looks concerned as he leans his weight into the wall.

I stand and fling my bag over my shoulder. “I’ll be fine.”

I hear him sigh. “Savi—”

I don’t want to talk about us right now; I’m too tired. “Do I have to testify in Washington?”

He pushes off the wall and takes a few steps toward me. I grip the strap on my bag to stop myself from reaching out to touch him. “Yes.” My stomach sinks at that three letter word, and I press my teeth into my lower lip as my chin begins to tremble.

“When?” I ask and stare at the floor.

“Not sure yet, but Frank wants you there two days before so he can prep you.” His shoes come into view. He’s so close, and I can’t think when he’s this near.

“You’ll be testifying against Lynn too.” This time my eyes flick up to his. I wasn’t ready for this. I still haven’t dealt with the fact my best friend is the mastermind behind my kidnapping, the one who had a threesome with my father and a man I considered an uncle. My hand flies to my stomach as the room starts to tilt, and he reaches out to stabilize me. I step back, just needing a minute. “Let me touch you,” he whispers.

“I can’t.”

“Why?”

“I’ll fall.” I move around him and make my way back into the bar where Zack is talking with Keith, but I do catch his hiss.

“We’ve talked about that before.”

“Savi, why didn’t you come by the house today? I waited for your call. I could have come and got you.” Keith pulls on his jacket. “I almost came to get you anyway when I got your one-word text.”

“Laundry,” I answer, then grab my tips from the bar and shove them in my pocket. It’s a lousy lie, but I’m too tired to think of anything more to say. “I’ll see you tomorrow, Zack,” I wave and head for the door.

Jake is waiting outside the door with a strange expression on his face, but as he sees how tired I am, he throws on a smile. His eyes move up over my shoulder before I hear Cole call out for me.

“Let me drive you back,” Cole says, coming up behind me and buttoning up his jacket. “It’s freezing.”

It is freezing, and my hands are already ice, but I have to be strong. Other people who left Shadows don’t have the Army driving them home after their night shift. “No, thanks. I find it helps me wind down.”
Another lie.
“Besides, Jake is waiting.” I point over my shoulder.