Page 93 of Hiding from Hope
We make it into the main bar, which is already packed, and we spot Stella with Lucas and Ethan. I can’t help the way my eyes are immediately searching the perimeter of the room, but I know he isn’t here yet. Because I would know, I’d feel him. I’d sense his gaze on me like a brand. It was always that way with us.
Not anymore. I ruined us.
“Alright, drinks, first round’s on me!” Rosie calls, and we spill our orders as we take a seat at the high bar.
“Happy birthday, Case!” Lucas says with a large smile. Ethan’s enthusiasm is at a two in comparison, but he gives me a half smile and wishes me the same, along with Stella.
“Thank you,” I reply, not feeling any of the ‘happy’ for this birthday.
“What did you wish for?” Lucas asks. But, because I can’t say, a big burly lumberjack to sweep me off my feet, kiss the shit out of me, and remind me how much he loves me, instead I say, “For winter to be over.” A small round of chuckles hits the table, and Rosie makes it back with the drinks.
“To our eternally sunny girl, happy birthday, Casey!” Rosie raises her drink in the center of the table. Everyone follows suit in a woo, before we drink and settle into the table. I feel anything but sunny right now.
“So, how’s the studio?” Stella asks, leaning her chin on her palm and looking at me. I can’t really read her facial expression. All I know is that her eyes are terrifyingly dark, and I really wish I could do a wing on my eyeliner like that.
“Great, I have a couple interviews coming up with some new trainers, so that should be good. Free me up a bit. Might actually be able to pursue the self-defense classes I wanted to hold.”
“You do self-defense?” She sits up straighter, her eyes now sucking in all my attention. I couldn’t look away if I tried.
“Yeah, I want to. I held a demo class a few months ago, and it was a hit. I just need permanent instructors. My goal is to have at least two. Then I have someone to teach it and the other to assist in the demonstration.”
“What do you need from the instructor or person demonstrating?” This comes from Ethan, who is also just as perked up. I shrug, a little taken aback by his interest in the topic.
“Oh, um, I guess, the demonstrating person just needs to be a guy. I kind of want to help teach women to defend against the actual threat. You know, against someone bigger, taller, stronger, more intimidating. Teaching people to defend against someone like Addison, for example, might be futile when the people more likely to attack them look like you and Lucas.” Both guys nod in understanding, but Addison slaps my arm. “Hey, I might be small, but I am mighty.” Rosie chuckles.
“We know, Addy, don’t worry. Noah has sent footage of you at that Rage place. It’s terrifying.” Addison’s smile is borderline feline.
“I fucking love that place.” She hums and sips her drink.
“Well, I’m happy to be a permanent volunteer if you need,” Ethan suggests, and my head snaps back in his direction.
“Really?” A touch of excitement buzzes through the sadness that swims in my veins.
“Yeah, for sure.” He shrugs. His eyes land on Stella for a brief moment before they come back to me. “I’ve always been interested in helping women stuck in those kinds of situations.” Lucas moves uneasily next to him and downs his drink, gesturing that he is getting another. Ethan follows the movement before he comes back to me. “I want to help where I can, so just hit me up. I have a black belt, but I’m no instructor. I’d be happy to just demonstrate.” Ethan gives me an easy smile, but before I can query further, Rosie interrupts.
“You’re a black belt?!” He smiles larger and nods at her, sipping his beer. Stella only manages a side eye and shifts slightly away from Ethan as Rosie continues.
“My guy, you should lead with that. You just went from like a seven to a nine-and-a-half.”
“Liar, he is at least a nine without the karate.” Addison shakes her head at Rosie.
“Not a ten?” I ask while chuckling, and Addison joins me. Ethan can’t stop his shy smile, but he just looks down at his drink, shaking his head in a chuckle.
“Ten is a very big call. You have to have, like, no flaws to be a ten in my books,” she clarifies. “No offense.”
“So, I’m a ten, then?” Caleb’s teasing hits us from behind and when I look over my shoulder, he and Noah are making their way to us, Caleb having overheard the conversation.
“Hey, shortcake,” Noah coos and leans in for a kiss with Ads. About seven hundred tons of jealousy lands on my chest, and I have to pinch my eyes closed and skull my drink.
He didn’t come. Of course he didn’t come! I betrayed his trust and broke his heart into a bajillion pieces. He isn’t going to want anything to do with me.
“Pest, you are so far below a ten, you’re barely on the scale.” Rosie rolls her eyes at Caleb. She’s wrong, of course. Caleb is just as stupidly attractive as the rest of this group of guys. With all of his arrogance, the insult doesn’t even register, instead he feigns offense, hitting a hand to his chest before leaning in to whisper something in Rosie’s ear with a grin. It appears Rosie had been keeping their one-time romp a secret, and by the way she is blushing and trying to hide the lust from her eyes at whatever he said, she is struggling to keep a lid on that secret. Rosie pushes back her chair, interrupting Caleb’s whispering, and demands, “Ladies, dance floor, now.” Stella and I stand. Addison goes to stand, but Noah lifts her from the chair and appraises her outfit with a frown.
“I really don’t want to get into a fight,” he tells her and she just rolls her eyes.
“Like I can’t fight my own battles,” she deadpans at him, which earns her an intense look.
“I’d like it if you didn’t fight anyone, Addison. It’s my night off,” Lucas clarifies as he makes it back to the table. Noah hits him with a deadpan and I turn, following Rosie and Stella into the throng of people. Not all that interested in coveting Noah and Addison right now.