Page 52 of Breaking Bristol
Driving half a block away seemed silly, but I did anyway and parked directly in front of the bar. It wasn’t busy yet, but when I left, it would be, and I didn’t want to walk far by myself.
I’d just bleeped my car lock when I caught sight of Paris at the stoplight. I rushed to the street and waved to get her attention. She looked shocked and gave a half-assed wave back, and when the light turned green, she pulled her pale-pink coupe into the grocery store parking lot next door.
I went in that direction, and when she got out, I was at her door. “Hey,” I chirped.
“What are you doing here?”
“I-I saw you, and I just wanted to say hi,” I told her. “And to see how you’re doing.”
“Why?”
I tilted my head in confusion. “Why wouldn’t I?”
“Do you know who I am?”
“Uh… Paris?” I answered.
She sighed and glanced over my shoulder. “It’s better for you if you pretend you never met me, okay?”
“Why would I do that?”
“I’m not exactly liked around here.” She turned back toward me and looked me in the eye. “And you seem nice, so I’m saving you from the gossip. Trust me.”
I crossed my arms and shook my head. “I’ve been here for nearly two years, and I’ve never heard anyone mention your name.”
“Yeah, well, they like to pretend I don’t exist.”
“Listen, I don’t know what happened to make you think this way, but I’m an adult,” I said firmly. “I choose who my friends are and—”
“Bristol, stop. We’re not friends.”
That kind of hurt, but it was nothing compared to the anguish that bled from her pores. “Okay. I get it.” I rolled my lips. “But I still want to know if you’re all right after…”
“I’m fine. More pissed than anything.” She rolled her eyes like what had happened was a nuisance, but I was there. She wasn’t fine in a lot of ways. “I actually just came from the police department to report it and file a restraining order.”
“You did?”
“Uh, duh. I know it’s not going to stop him if he really wanted to hurt me, but it’s at least better than not doing anything. Although I’m pretty sure with the way your man handled him the other night, he won’t be bothering me anymore.” She grinned. “Speaking of your man… I don’t know what happened, but there’s usually only one reason a man is as pissy as he was.”
My forehead scrunched in confusion. “What are you talking about?”
“Beck was just at the police station. When I walked in, he was talking to Beau.” She clicked her tongue. “No, talking isn’t the right word. More like reprimanding. So what’s up with that?”
“He was here in Warrenville?” What the hell was he doing at the police station?
“Yeah. And now I’m sensing that there’s really trouble in paradise because you look like you’re about to cry.”
I forced the acid back down my throat and straight-up lied. “Everything’s fine between us.”
“It’s not, but it also ain’t my business. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to get some ice cream so I can go home and eat my feelings.”
She flicked her long blond hair over her shoulder and strutted away, her high heels clicking on the concrete. My head fell with the weight of what I’d just heard, and the confusion made my stomach churn.
“Bristol!” I jerked at my name and searched the vicinity for a second before I saw Reece walking my way. Taking a deep, calming breath, I slowly moved toward her. “What’s wrong? Did Paris say something to you?”
God, Reece was as nice as they came, but saying Paris’s name sounded like poison rolling off her tongue. “No. Not at all. I met her the other night and was just catching up.”
“You’re a grown woman who can make her own choices, but I’m gonna warn you now, that woman is vile. You might wanna steer clear.”