Chapter 14: Chapter 14

AVERY

Reed and I are back at it again the following night, this time at my favorite bar. It’s pretty packed for a Sunday night.

“All right. Let’s see you in action,” Reed says as he pulls me through the crowd toward the marble-topped counter. “Pretend you don’t know me and try out some moves.”

I can’t help but laugh at his little eyebrow wiggle.

“This is not going to work. I can’t take you seriously, and I don’t have any ‘moves.’”

“How are you ever gonna pick up a guy you don’t know if you don’t take a few practice swings first?” he asks. “I promise not to laugh.”

My brow furrows at his teasing tone. It feels like a challenge, and suddenly, I’m determined to show him and myself that Avery fucking Morris has what it takes.

“Wow, you really don’t think I can do this, do you?”

“What? No, I—”

“See that guy over there?” I ask, pointing at a blond by the far end of the bar.

Reed’s eyes follow as I rise on my tiptoes and poke him in the chest.

“Watch this, Everett.”

I walk away, an extra sway in my hips because I know Reed is looking. As I get closer to my target, the panic starts to set in.

~What am I going to say? Shit, I didn’t think this through. Fuck it. We ball.~

When I reach the blond, I expect him to at least notice me, but he doesn’t. He doesn’t even look up from his phone. I lean on the bar next to him, acting like I’m trying to get the bartender’s attention.

~Oh my god. I can’t do this.~

I glance back at Reed, biting my lip nervously. His face is neutral as he watches me, a slow smile growing as he realizes I’m hesitating.

I glare at him and try again to get the guy to look up, but he continues to swipe through his phone. Just as I’m about to give up and walk away, he finally notices me. His eyebrows shoot up and he smiles as he gives me a once-over.

“Hey there,” he says, his blue eyes sparkling like the ocean.

“Hello,” I reply, nervously picking at a loose thread on my blouse.

“Haven’t seen you before. Do you come here often?” he asks, taking a sip of his beer.

~Really? Such a cliché.~

I can feel Reed’s gaze on me. I want to show him that I can do this.

“It is the only bar on the corner,” I reply a bit too sassily.

I can tell my tone is off by the way his eyes narrow.

“Yeah…,” he says, turning away and focusing on his beer.

Before I can say anything else, Reed is there, pulling me back.

“There you are, buddy!” he says so the guy can hear him. “Got a table over here.”

He slings an arm around me and leans in close as the guy shakes his head.

“Abort mission, Avery,” Reed whispers in my ear, his breath tickling my skin and sending shivers down my spine.

I lean into his muscular frame and let him lead me to the other side of the bar. I don’t want to react to him like this, but I can’t help it. Every time he touches me it sets my skin on fire.

~This is bad. I need to stop thinking like this before I do something I’ll regret.~

“Okay, not bad. Little rocky. Let’s get some liquid courage,” Reed suggests. “Two shots of whiskey,” he calls to the bartender.

“I don’t drink whiskey, Reed,” I protest.

“Tonight you do,” he says, handing me a shot glass filled with amber liquid.

I want to at least earn back a little respect after he saw me crash and burn, so I clink my glass against his and watch as he downs his shot.

“Your turn,” he says, his eyes shining.

I hesitate, nose crinkling at the strong smell.

“Don’t think about it. Just drink it,” he advises.

“Okay, but I’m not responsible for what happens next,” I warn him. “For all I know, this could turn me into a blubbering mess. Are you sure you’re ready to handle that?”

“I think I can manage,” he smirks. “I got your back, Little Avery.”

The nickname hits me hard. I down the drink just like he did. It burns all the way, but I hold it together. Once the alcohol settles, I face Reed, determined to show him that ~Little Avery~ is all grown up.

“I’m not so little anymore, Reed. Just watch.”

I stand, eyes set on the blond again, but Reed grabs my hand.

“That’s a lost cause,” he says. “Like I said, take a few practice swings on me first.”

“No. ‘Little Avery’ is going to prove you wrong.” I lower my head, leaning into him. “Watch this.”

I strut over to the blond and tap him on the shoulder. He turns, giving me a questioning look as I smile.

“I think maybe we got off on the wrong foot before. I’m Avery.”

He looks surprised but extends his hand. His grip is firm.

“Sam.”

~Bluntness works for Olive. Maybe it’ll work for me.~

“Well, Sam, my friend over there thinks you’ve been checking me out,” I say, trying not to stumble over my words.

He gives a nervous chuckle, rubbing a hand across his jaw. His bright-blue eyes dart past me toward Reed.

“True or not true?” I ask, raising an eyebrow.

“True,” he answers, a wide grin splitting his face and revealing perfect teeth. “I think you’re gorgeous.”

My stomach flips at the compliment. It doesn’t matter that I had to coax it out of him. Encouraged, I continue.

“Mmm, gorgeous, huh?” I reach out to touch his arm, channeling my inner Olive.

Sam glances at my hand, then gives me a slow once-over, grinning.

“What are you drinking tonight?” he asks.

“I could do another shot.”

I can feel Reed’s gaze burning into my back as I flirt.

~This is what he wanted right? He wants to play games, wants to see my moves. Fine. I’m walking out of here with this guy’s number at the very least.~

Sam flags down the bartender.

“Two shots of tequila.”

~Tequila? Oh, no. Tequila makes me frisky. Very frisky.~

But before I can protest, the shot of clear liquor is in my hand. Sam clinks his glass against mine and we take the shots together, chasing them with a lime.

“You took that like a champ,” Sam praises. “Another round?”

I smile and run my hand up his arm. “Sure.”

My phone vibrates in my back pocket, breaking the moment. I hold up a finger and pull out my phone.

Reed

You’ve made your point. Get back here.

Avery

I don’t have his number yet, coach.

Reed

Don’t make me come over there and get you.

I slip my phone back into my pocket and return my focus to Sam, a triumphant smile on my face as our second round arrives.

“Gotta get back to your friend?” he asks.

“Just telling him to get his own cab home,” I purr, the tequila emboldening me.

~Channeling Olive may have been a bad idea.~

Sam smiles and clinks his glass against mine. The second goes down much easier than the first. I lay the glass on the bar when, suddenly, I’m whipped around and pulled right into a firm chest. I look up to find Reed, his face dark.

Sam stands up from his stool. “What the hell, man?”

He glares at Sam and grips my forearms, pulling me away.

“Let’s go. Now.”

“Nice meeting you, Sam!” I call as I try to shake him off, but I’m no match for his strength.

He knows it too, judging by his smug little smirk. Reed drags me toward the back of the bar, through the side door and out into the alleyway.

I squirm in his grip, twisting to try and get away.

“Reed! Let go.”

“Stop fighting me, Avery,” he growls, backing me against the brick wall under a broken lamppost.

“Thought I was ‘Little Avery’?” I snap, angry eyes drilling into his beautiful face.

His expression softens as he cups my chin, leaning in till I can only see the golden flecks in his hazel irises.

“I know you’re not Little Avery anymore. I only call you that so that I don’t…”

His gaze flicks down quickly before he closes his eyes and takes a steady breath.

“So that you don’t what?” I ask, my heart fluttering.

But the fog has cleared as he opens them, and he steps back. The night air is chilly, but my skin is still warm where he touched me.

I want to ask him more, but he runs his hands through his hair and walks away, making me jog to catch up with him.

~What just happened?~