Page 23 of The Originals

Meg shook her head, glancing over at Bebe and the redhead. “It’s like high school all over again.”

Colleen gave her a smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes. “Yeah, sometimes.”

“Is she always like that?”

Colleen peeked over at Meg. She knew the answer before Colleen said it.Yes.

“Most of the girls don’t have an issue going after any of the guys unless they have an old lady. Even then, some have little boundaries.” Colleen lifted her chin to the blonde across the room. “Bebe’s got none.”

“Good to know.”

Colleen gave her a sympathetic smile. It wasn’t reassuring. It was telling her exactly what she needed to know. Meg lookedaround the room at the men and the women hanging over them. This was their life. It was Mick’s too. Maybe she was reading into it and making it a bigger deal than it needed to be. With a life like this and women waiting on him, he’d grow tired of her eventually. That wasn’t the part that bothered her the most. It was her heart she was concerned about. Protecting it. Sometimes it was better to bow out gracefully than risk the damage.

Meg grabbed her beer, finished it off, and hopped off the stool. She took one last look at the back hallway where Mick had gone.

“Want another beer?” Colleen asked.

Meg shook her head. “No, I’m going to head home.”

Colleen stilled, and her eyes widened. “Well, do you want something else? Got a lot of liquor here. Or I can get you water or a soda.”

“No, thanks.” Meg hooked her pocketbook over her shoulder.

“You don’t want to stay just a little bit longer? I can try and keep Bebe and the other girls away from you.”

It was a kind gesture, but Meg had already made up her mind. It wasn’t lost on her how different Colleen had been compared to the others.Train or not, I like her.Meg smiled and shook her head.

“If you see him, can you tell Mick I left?” Meg said, then muttered, “If he asks.”

“He’ll ask,” Colleen blurted.

Meg gave her a short wave and made her way through the room. She made it a point not to make eye contact with anyone, especially the blonde. Unfortunately, someone stepped in her path, and she was forced to turn her body, aimed directly at Bebe. Her smug smile was enough for Meg to raise her white flag.

Yeah, you win, sweetheart.

Meg bypassed the crowd at the front door. There were only a few people hanging out and smoking outside. Meg quickened her steps, picking up the pace as she started down the dark driveway. It wasn’t until she reached the end that she realized getting a cab from Ghosttown would be a feat. She glanced down both ends of the street. There had to be at least one payphone on Main Street. It was probably only a few blocks away.

Unfortunately, there were few streetlights in the small town, making it extremely dark. She had options. Meg glanced back at the clubhouse. She was fairly certain Colleen would let her use the phone to call for a ride. But that meant walking back inside. If Mick was back at the bar, he might already have company to replace her.

As much as she was good with her decision to leave, seeing him with someone else would sting too much. Meg sighed, and her shoulders sagged. She was not only regretting accepting the date tonight but ever letting Linda talk her into coming to the clubhouse in the first place.

Life had been so much easier when she didn’t even know Mick existed.

****

Once the meeting ended, Mick was eager to get back to Meg. There’d be time to talk further with Jack. Right now his main concern was her. The meeting had lasted longer than he’d expected. He walked out from the back and scanned the room. Meg was no longer at the bar. Maybe she was using the bathroom? Mick started across the room.

A hand swept over his arm, and he glanced over, thinking it was Meg. It wasn’t. He yanked his arm away and glared. The last thing Mick needed was Meg seeing yet another woman with her hands on him. Though, he assumed it was innocent enough coming from the younger woman.

Colleen held up her hands. “I’m sorry. Didn’t mean to sneak up on you.”

Mick lifted his chin while peering around the room in search of Meg. Where the hell had she gone?

“You see Meg?”

“Um, yeah actually.”

Mick jerked his head, looking down at Colleen.