As I drive home, I pass by Gibson Brewery. The sounds that drew me in the first time convince me to stop and have a drink. I’ve obviously been drowning my sorrows in wine, but maybe beer will help.
When I make my way inside, I see the place is hopping with people for a Thursday night. Apparently Thursday has become the new Friday.
As soon as I take a seat at the bar, I see Kelsea again walk over to greet me.
“Hey, welcome back!”
I shrug. “Hi. Yeah, I haven’t been in here in a while.”
“Well, what can I get you?”
“Uh …” My eyes bounce across the menu trying to find the sour beer I liked so much last time. “Oh, the huckleberry sour, please.”
“Just a pint?”
“Yes, please.”
“Be right back.” She walks over to fill my glass and returns in record time. “Anything else right now?”
“No, this is fine. Thanks.”
She nods and then walks away to help another customer as I take my first sip and then spin on my stool to survey the warehouse turned craft brewery tasting room.
My eyes find a couple on the other side, snuggling in close to one another. He whispers something in her ear and her cheeks turn pink. A sting of jealousy strikes in my gut and then my eyes start to burn, threating to spill over with tears, so I turn back around so I can’t see them anymore.
Why does it seem like everyone else is in love when your heart is broken? God, this is the most agonizing feeling I’ve ever felt in my life.
As I sit there feeling sorry for myself, a sense of urgency hits me in the face. I’ve given Javi time, and I can’t wait in limbo any longer. I need to know what the future holds for us, or even if there isn’t one so I can move on with my life and stop pining over a man that I fear will never grow the balls to admit that he wants me despite all of the obstacles we face.
I down my beer and then wave goodbye to Kelsea, eager to get in my car and race across town to Javi’s house. He should be home soon from the gym. I can wait, especially if it means I’ll finally get to speak with him.
As my heels click on the gravel while I make my way to my car, I hear footsteps trailing me. With one glance over my shoulder, a dark shadow of a man comes into view and I stop in my movements as I watch him come closer. And as soon as his face comes into focus, my eyes widen and my pulse sky rockets.
“Well, hello there,” he says, and his voice coats my ears with the same slimy feeling I got that night at The Jameson.
“What are you doing here?” I clutch my purse closer to my body and finagle my keys between my fingers, recalling all of the details I learned in my self-defense class. I don’t know what this guy is capable of or his intentions in approaching me, but I will be prepared this time no matter what happens.
“Well, I saw you inside and wanted to say hello. I could never forget a face like yours.” His tongue peeks out to lick his lips and my stomach coils at the sight.
“Likewise, Jesus.” My hackles are raised, especially as I remember what this man did to Selena.
He takes a few steps closer as I start to step backwards. “Where are you headed?”
“Home,” I answer as my back hits my car.
“Want some company?” He growls as I swallow hard and try to remember what to do if he comes at me head on.
“Ha. From you? No thank you.”
He chuckles and then cages me in with his arms to my car. “Where’s Javi? Shouldn’t he be taking you home?” The mention of Javi brings back so many emotions while I contemplate what to do next.
I don’t answer him though as I wait to see what his next move is. I don’t want to strike too soon. I need to make sure I have the upper hand in this situation.
“Aw, is he not your man anymore, Sydney? Did that man forget what a fine piece of ass he had with you by his side?” He brings one of his fingers to my cheek, trailing it down my skin as I inhale sharply. “Well, I guess one man’s loss is another man’s treasure, isn’t that right?”
“Get off me,” I warn as he presses his body up against mine, letting me feel the hardness between his legs. And all it makes me want to do is throw up.
He leans in closer, lining up his lips to my ear. “No can do, baby. I saw something I want, and I have every intention of taking it.”
“Over my dead body,” I declare as I strike his face with my hand holding my keys between my fingers.
“Motherfucker!” He yells as he reaches up to his face and sees blood there. But then I turn around as fast as possible, trying to get in my car, but I’m not fast enough.
He wraps his arms around my torso, causing me to drop my purse that has my gun inside and trapping my arms against my sides. I struggle against his grip as he tightens it and pulls me back against him and away from my car.
“You little bitch. You’re going to pay for that.”
“Try and make me.”
He huffs as I try to dig my heels into the gravel, but still move from his force. “Oh, I will.”
The second he stops moving us, my training comes back to me. With his hands around my arms, I shift my weight to the side just far enough to strike his groin by moving my hand back. And the groan he lets out gives me a rush of adrenaline to keep going.
“Fuck!”
I spin in his arms and duck underneath, kneeing him
