Chapter 17
Ava
Charity had stopped by the bar earlier to drop off my books, so now that the place was quiet, I had a chance to catch up on studying. Big D was behind the counter, and after I was done cleaning the glasses and wiping down the tables, I sat down on a bar stool with my books.
The place was practically empty and I had nothing else to do, but I could hardly concentrate, my mind kept drifting to Commando. I couldn’t help but wonder what he was doing and where he was. I flipped through the pages, trying to absorb the words and I was hoping that most of the information would stick.
The doors of the bar banged open, and when I turned; I saw Commando walk in, followed by the two guys he usually hung around with. They were referred to as Slade and King, but I had no idea what their real names were. Just like I still hadn’t gotten used to thinking of Commando as Kelley.
Our eyes met across the bar, as the three of them walked towards the counter. It was an unspoken pact between us, we were going to act like we didn’t know each other outside of this place.
“What’s all this?” Slade had walked over to me, and was peering into the pages of my books. Big D had already started pouring them their usual drinks as they took up their chairs near me. Commando was avoiding my eyes now, even though I wanted nothing more than for him to look at me.
“Looks like a load of gibberish to me,” Slade pulled one of the books to himself and started flipping through the pages. I smiled at him and tried to get the book back from him, but he kept tilting it out of my reach and laughing.
“Knock it off Slade!” Commando growled from his corner of the counter, while Big D placed a glass of beer in front of him. King was smiling indulgently as well.
“You’ll have to take it from me if you want it back,” Slade laughed, dangling the book in front of me. I made another dive for it and missed, stumbling off the stool now and he reached for my waist, pushing me up roughly against his chest.
I wasn’t sure anymore, if this was just some casual flirting…if this was how these men casually flirted; or there was more to it. If Slade was making a move on me, in front of Commando…I had a feeling that things were not going to go down lightly. I struggled against him, keeping a weak smile on my face while he held on to me tightly. I didn’t want to make a scene or urge Commando on.
“That’s more like it. How badly do you want your book back?” he said, biting down on his lip as he looked me over. I tried to wriggle out of his arms, but he didn’t let me go, enjoying my struggle.
“Slade, leave her alone,” Commando said, but Slade wasn’t about to give in so easily. I reached for the book again as a last shot, and I had to lean towards him. He tipped the book out of reach and thrust his face forward. I avoided his lips just in time. Before I felt arms entwining around my waist. Commando was yanking me out of Slade’s grip. He plonked me on the floor roughly and squared his shoulders at Slade.
“I said knock it off!” he growled, in a deeper more threatening voice and I caught Slade looking a little confused.
“Just havin’ a bit of fun, brother. Calm the fuck down!” Slade barked at him, but Commando kept glaring at him.
“What’s gotten into the two of you tonight?” he said while I stood back and watched the two men face to face, glaring at each other.
“The rule is that you’re not supposed to touch the employees. So keep your hands in your pants,” Commando said, in a low deep voice and Slade clenched his jaw at him and then slid out of his reach.
Commando turned to me, and I saw the anger in his eyes. He held my gaze for a few moments, before he flipped around and walked around behind the counter and went into the back storage room.
I pulled the discarded book closer to me and sat back down on the stool. My cheeks, the back of my neck…were all burning up. I could still feel his steely grip on my waist when he had yanked me away from Slade.
I poured my head over the book, trying to avoid meeting anyone’s eyes as I sat there, trying to study again. Fuck studying. I wanted to see Commando again. I could sense that he was tensed and angry about something. I had never felt this special. This protected. Like he would have done anything to keep every man away from me.
While I tried to read, I could sense someone’s eyes on me. When I looked over, I saw King staring at me, a bottle of beer pressed to his lips. He was quietly studying me. I could see suspicion in his eyes…and also something else, a knowing look. I could see that he was going to figure out what was happening between Commando and me.
“Hi,” I said sweetly and tucked some strands of hair behind my ears. King said nothing, just kept sipping from his bottle of beer and looking at me.
I went back to reading my book and hoping that we weren’t exposed. I had no idea what would happen if Commando’s gang found out that we were sleeping together.
That I was living in his apartment.