Until Alex (5 page)

One corner of his mouth tipped up. “Yeah. I figured.”

“You figured?” I crossed my arms. “Well how old are
you
?”

Genuine interest flickered in his eyes. “How old do you think I am?”

“If we’re here, at least twenty-one.”

Hayden smiled, neither confirming nor denying.

I glanced out at the old pickup trucks and motorcycles occupying the parking lot. “Well, I don’t have my fake ID. I left it in Austin figuring I...” My voice trailed off, realizing what I almost divulged. I met his eyes. “Do you have one for me?”

He shook his head.

“Is it eighteen-and-over night?”

Again, he shook his head.

I heaved a sigh. “I didn’t realize I signed up for charades when I asked you out.”

Hayden threw open his door with quiet laughter. I took that as my cue, pushing open my door. Before I could step out, Hayden blocked my way, his proximity overwhelming me. 

He leaned in closely, hovering by my ear. His warm breath tickled my neck. His crisp aloe scent invaded my senses. “They don’t card,” he whispered, sending shivers rushing through me.

Then, as if he hadn’t just purposely sent my body buzzing, he stepped back.

Bastard.

* * *

Stale beer and badly sung music assaulted us upon entering the crowded bar. High-top tables filled the area between the door and the glossy oak bar that ran the length of the back wall. Though the room was small, the mirror behind the bar gave it a larger feel.

To the right of the entrance, a pair of older women sang
Bon Jovi
’s “Wanted Dead or Alive” on a small stage. They laughed and fell all over each other while squinting at the scrolling lyrics on the screen.             

Hayden wove us through the crowd to the only empty table as far from the stage as
you could get. I scooted up onto the stool across from him, hooking my handbag on the back and pushing the condiment tray to the far side of the table.

Hayden’s eyes scanned the room. My head whirled around, wondering who he searched for. Based on the clientele, his mother would be a good guess. Because the butchered song, the people filling the room, and the duet’s teased hair, black jeans, and rock band T-shirts, were a total throwback to the nineteen eighties.

A blonde waitress, in a low-cut black T-shirt that didn’t reach her belly button, slid a songbook and two coasters onto our table. “What can I get ya?” Her hazel eyes locked on Hayden, widening on contact.

“I’ll have a Bud.” Hayden flashed her a sexy grin before turning to me. “How ‘bout you, sweetheart? What’ll it be?”

Sweetheart?

The waitress’ eyes remained fixed on Hayden, while her tongue managed to stay tucked inside her mouth.

I cocked my head. “I’ll have whatever you’re having, babe.”

It visibly pained the waitress to pull her attention away from him. “Be back in a second.” I didn’t doubt her breathy words as she practically ran to the bar to retrieve our drinks.

Hayden arched a brow. “Babe?”

I arched my own. “Sweetheart?”

He chuckled under his breath while his eyes searched the room over my shoulder.

A twinge of jealousy clutched my chest. “Expecting someone?”

Hayden’s eyes slid back to mine. This time guarded. “What?”

“You look like you’re expecting someone to be here.”

He shook his head, a lazy smile sliding into place. “Only you, sweetheart.” 

Something could definitely be said for his inviting glances and
concise retorts. No wonder waitresses became speechless and girls willingly went home with him.

I lifted my chin toward our waitress. Her eyes jumped impatiently between the bartender and Hayden. “So, is it always like that for you?”

Hayden caught me in his mesmerizing gaze. “Like what?”

“Oh, please. She was practically panting.”

He leaned in, his amused eyes creasing in the corners. “So is this where you admit the guy in 2C is a hottie?”

I leaned back and crossed my arms, putting as much distance between us as possible. His mere gaze could entice even the most unwilling catch. And I was in no way immune to his charm. But I’d fake it like no one’s business. “First of all, I’ve never been introduced to Mr. 2C. And second, I hate to break it to you, but I don’t think anyone actually uses the word
hottie
anymore.”

Hayden laughed, but it could have been a reaction to the women on stage who finished their song with a locked-arm bow. The one on the right nearly toppled over, taking her friend with her. The few people in the bar who applauded drowned out the refreshing sound of Hayden’s laughter.

“I guess I’m just surprised.”

Hayden’s eyes narrowed.

I lifted my chin toward our waitress whose eyes were still on him. “That girls act that way.” He didn’t follow my eyes, just stared across the table at me, forcing me to spit it out. “Our waitress. She was shoving her chest in your face and staring at you like she wanted to eat you. That just isn’t my style.”

His brows inverted as he leaned closer, his eyes focusing on my lips. “What is your style?” His seductive tone almost had
me
panting.

The waitress returned with our drinks, pulling our attention from each other.
Thank God.
The icy bottles landed on our coasters, and her hungry eyes landed on Hayden. “Can I get you anything else? Anything at all?”

He looked to me for a brief instant before flashing her a smile. “Not right now. But I’ll let you know when
you can.”

Thankfully, s
he moved on to another table.

I lifted my bottle to my lips and took a nice long swig as a middle-aged man in cowboy boots took his spot behind the microphone. The music to “She’s a Hottie” exploded through the speakers and people in the bar hooted like the real Toby Keith
had entered the building.

Hayden smirked. “Well that answers that.”

Bastard
.

I lifted my middle finger to the side of my nose and scratched.

His smile widened. “You know…I would’ve taken you for more of a fruity drink kind of girl.”

“And I would’ve taken you for more of a body shots kind of guy.”

He held my gaze, his eyes unwavering as he leaned toward me. “I am definitely a body shots kind of guy. But I don’t discriminate. Honey, whipped cream, chocolate. They all work just as well.”

I took another swig of my beer, trying to swallow around the massive lump in my throat.

“How about you?”

“I like honey.” I answered too quickly to be casual. 

Skepticism shone in his eyes as he shook his head slowly. “You’re too classy for that.”

“Am not.” A flush spread over my whole body.
I needed to shut up.

He tilted his head. “I’ve seen the car, the clothes, the luggage. You’re high-maintenance.”

I leaned back in my seat and crossed my arms across my chest. “I didn’t take you for someone who judges a book by its cover.”

He dismissed my comment with the roll of his eyes. “Oh, come on. It doesn’t take a genius to see you’re the type of girl who needs to be wined and dined. Not treated like the main course.”

“Well, it’s a good thing you didn’t request a bowl of nuts.” I tilted my head and raised a brow. “I might’ve thought you were wining and dining me.”

The corners of his lips twitched, but he suppressed a smile. “I guess we don’t know much about each other, do we?”

“Is that such a bad thing?” I sipped my drink.

“Not if you’re lookin’ for a one night stand,” he drawled slow and sexy.

I choked on my beer like a flippin’ teenager.
Nice, Alex.

Hayden sipped his beer behind a smile.

Feeling too vulnerable for my own good, I tossed open the song book and skimmed the endless songs. Some would surely get people on their feet. Others would clear the room.

When I glanced up, Hayden’s eyes studied my face. Just like in the pool, they didn’t jump away when I caught him. And seriously? Did they need to be so damn hypnotic? I held up the book. “So, did you bring me here to show me what you’ve got, or what?”

His dimples popped and his straight teeth gleamed. “Sweetheart, if I get up there, there’s no doubt in my mind, I’ll clear the room.”

“
You could always just take off your shirt.”

He glanced down in contemplation, before shooting me a smirk. “You’ve seen the merchandise. What’s the verdict?”

I ignored his attempt to elicit a compliment. “Your voice can’t be that bad.”

He nodded adamantly. “It can and it is.”

“So, no duet?”

He shook his head. “No chance in hell I’d get up there and sing.”

The waitress returned, claiming the spot beside him. The tables in the bar were close, but not close enough to warrant her cushy body pressed into his side. But, alas, there it was. “Decide if you want anything yet?”

Hayden peeked at me before his gaze fell to the waitress, his eyes roaming over her face for far longer than necessary. “Any chance we could do some body shots?”

She definitely groaned as her eyes squeezed shut for a long moment. Someone needed to save her. I gripped her arm. “He’s kidding. We’ll have another round and two tequila shots.”

The waitress shook her head slightly, undoubtedly clearing away the Hayden-induced haze. Then with a quick nod, she hurried off.

“That was cruel.”

Hayden lifted a shoulder. “What? You gave me the idea.”

I brushed a wave of hair away from my face, tucking it behind my ear. “Yeah, well, she was about to take you up on the offer.”

“You think?” He glanced over his shoulder to where she stood. He couldn’t be that oblivious to his charm. When he looked back with a giant grin, I knew he wasn’t. “Would that have embarrassed you?”

“You taking shots from her belly button?”

He nodded.

“You said it yourself. We barely know each other.” It came out nonchalantly, but the truth created heaviness in my chest and disappointment in my heart. But why? We
didn’t
know each other.

Hayden lifted his bottle to his lips. “Just so you know, I never said I wanted to do body shots with
her.”

A
vicious quiver rocked through me, rattling my bones. Keeping my unaffected mask in place, I turned toward the man on stage, needing to collect myself and get my muddled emotions in check.

Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed a guy enter the bar. What held my attention were his sunken dark eyes, shaved head,
piercings in his face, and sleeves of tattoos. The guy was downright creepy.

His eyes jetted around the crowded room with purpose. Then they landed on
Hayden. Since Hayden was busy watching the man on stage, the guy’s eyes shifted to me. They narrowed for a long moment while he clearly tried to place me. To no avail.

Then as if he’d never been there, he turned around and walked
back outside. 

Applause for the man on stage and our waitress returning with our drinks pulled my attention from the door. Once she moved to another table, I pushed Hayden a shot. “I want to make a toast.”

His eyebrows bunched together. “A toast?”

I lifted my glass a few inches from the table. “People do make toasts, don’t they?”

He shot me one of those shrug-nods.

“Okay, so it might sound kind of cheesy. But I swear, it’s the truth.”

Hayden tilted his head, eyeing me in both amusement and intrigue. He lifted his shot. “Well, let’s hear this cheesy truth.”

I’d never felt so inclined to throw up in my entire life. And not from the alcohol. From the words I was about to utter. “Obviously, I brought you here—or you brought me—to thank you. And I don’t think you understand why.”

He stared at me across the table, his narrowed eyes giving nothing away.

I inhaled a deep breath, letting it out slowly. “Clearly I’ve been going through a really tough time.”

Hayden nodded, even though he had no idea what happened back in Austin.

“And then out of nowhere, you show up. Not once, but multiple times. And every time, you help me in some way. And I’ve got to tell you. I’ve thought about it a lot, and I don’t think it’s a coincidence…It’s like you were sent to me or something.”

Hayden stilled. His shot dangled in the air. And though his eyes remained fixed on mine, he wasn’t seeing me. He was seeing anything
but
me.

Ah, crap.

The room suddenly felt too small, like the walls were squeezing in on the two of us. “To you,” I mumbled, before throwing back my shot and wincing as it burned a prickly path down my throat. I chased it with my beer, finishing the entire bottle in a few solid gulps.

Hayden still hadn’t downed his shot when I jumped to my feet.