Текст книги "Arrow's Hell"
Автор книги: Chantal Fernando
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Текущая страница: 4 (всего у книги 16 страниц)
FIVE 
WHEN I get a call from Summer a few days later, I’d forgotten that I’d given her my number in hopes of a job at the bar. She tells me to come in for a trial. I’m sitting in the kitchen with Lana, about to get ready to go, when she speaks.
“Have you ever been spanked?”
I choke on my piece of toast. Lana taps me on the back until I turn and look at her. “Why the hell would you ask me that?”
She grins and pushes her glasses up on her nose. She’s a picture of innocence until she opens her mouth. “I was just reading a book.” She points to the trashy romance novel she’s left next to the toaster. “And I was curious.”
I blink slowly a few times. “No, I can’t say I’ve ever been spanked. Why? Does it tickle your fancy?”
Her face turns red, the heat creeping up from her neck. “I didn’t say that!”
I start laughing. “Never mind Tracker, you should hook up with my brother instead! Apparently he’s into that stuff.”
She punches me in the arm.
“Ow!”
“Shut up,” she mumbles.
I try and keep a straight face. “I’ve heard it’s enjoyable though.”
“What’s enjoyable?” my brother asks as he walks in.
I look behind him. “How the hell did you get in?”
He’s wearing all black, jeans and a T-shirt and his cut. He holds up a key. “I got a key made when you moved in.”
I bite the inside of my cheek.
“Five, four, three, two, one,” Lana mutters under her breath.
“You’re psychotic, do you know that?” I yell. He has a key to my house? He needs to learn the word boundaries.
He just grins at my outburst. “It’s just in case of emergencies.”
“And what emergency is it today?” I ask, sitting back down and picking up my other piece of toast.
Rake gives me a shy smile. “Breakfast?”
Charming bastard.
“I’ll make you something,” Lana says softly, and gestures for him to take a seat. Rake sits next to me and gently bumps his shoulder against mine.
“You still angry about the other night?” he asks me in a gentle tone.
“You mean when you got Arrow to pick me up and drag me out of the club like I was fourteen?”
He nods, and shrugs sheepishly. “I worry about you.”
I sigh, the anger leaving me. “I know you do, Adam, but how about some freedom? I’ve been without you for years now, and it’s kind of hard playing my old role now.”
“Old role?” he asks.
I nod. “Baby sister to dominant bossy man.”
He’s quiet for a few seconds. “I’ll try to loosen the reins.”
“I’d appreciate that,” I reply in an extremely dry tone. “Don’t get me wrong, I really want you to pay attention to me and for us to spend time together, but maybe ease up on the controlling part?”
He nods and clears his throat, looking down at his hands on the table. “I can try. But it’s hard, Anna—I just got you back. I didn’t want you to go, you know that, right? But I know I’ve changed and . . .”
“And what?” I ask quietly.
“And I don’t want you to leave because you feel like you can’t handle who I am,” he admits, still staring down at his hands. “And at the same time I want to protect you more than anyone. You’re always my baby sister, Anna. Always.”
I swallow hard, not expecting him to be so honest. I speak softly so only he can hear. “I love you, Adam, no matter what. I won’t run. I would never turn my back on you. Never. I miss how we used to be. I know we’ve both changed, but I want you to be yourself around me. I miss how close we used to be, and I want us to get that back.”
He glances up at me, looking a little surprised. “That’s really how you feel?”
I nod. “It is.”
He rubs the back of his neck and bites out a curse. “I didn’t want you to hate the club, Anna. I was fuckin’ scared, if I’m being honest. I didn’t want you to see us like Mom’s boyfriends, useless thugs.”
“I’d never think that of you, Rake,” I reply honestly. “I’m proud of you, you know that, right?”
I can see my words matter to him by the way he beams at me.
“You’re the only person whose opinion I care about, Anna, so it means a lot to hear you say that. I always wanted to set a good example for you, and I know I haven’t done that,” he says, looking sheepish. “But you turned out amazing, so I’m taking credit for that anyway.”
We both laugh at that, lightening the moment.
“Would the two of you like to come over for dinner tomorrow night?” he asks, raising his voice so Lana can hear. “The women are cooking.”
Of course they are.
“We’d love to come,” Lana replies, shooting me a smirk.
We would?
“Actually—”
“We don’t have anything going on, Anna, don’t worry,” she adds, eyes alight with mischief.
“Traitor,” I mouth to her, and she laughs. A dinner where all the club women cook and I’ll probably have to watch Arrow with one of them? No, thank you very much.
I turn to my brother. “Lana wants to know about spanking.”
Lana’s eyes turn to slits, and her face returns to tomato red.
“Spanking?” Rake asks, sounding strained and looking anywhere but at me.
“Yes,” I say. “I heard you like spanking women, so maybe you could explain the pros and cons to it. What are the benefits?”
He stands. “I’ll pick up breakfast on the way home.”
He walks toward the door.
I burst out laughing. “Rake, stay. I’ll shut up, I promise.”
He shakes his head and bolts for the door. “I’ll take a rain check; see you later!”
I sigh, grin still wide on my face.
Lana, on the other hand, isn’t so amused. “I hate you.”
“You love me.”
She covers her face with her hands. “He’s going to tell Tracker, isn’t he?”
That’s what she’s worried about?
“Screw Tracker.” I glance at her. “And not literally either. Besides, he looks the type to give a good spanking himself.”
“And Arrow doesn’t?” she asks, raising a dark, perfectly arched brow.
Okay, maybe all the bikers do.
“I was waiting to see if you’d bring Arrow up.”
She tightens her lips. “Normally I wouldn’t, but turnabout is fair play and you’ve been giving me shit about Tracker.”
Her words are true.
“I don’t think there’s any chance of Arrow and me happening, so there’s nothing to say really,” I reply on a sigh. I don’t know why I was upset over it. He was a criminal and a biker. I had enough crazy in my life; I didn’t need to invite more in. I should be happy nothing was going to happen.
“How do you feel about dating someone in an MC?” I ask.
She tilts her head to the side. “I don’t know. I guess I’ve only ever seen the nice side of the guys. I’ve never even seen them do anything crazy or violent. I know they have another side, but it’s kind of hot that they’re badasses.”
I giggle at that. “I guess I know my brother would never harm us, and these are his family. So they’re mine now. Rake will always have my back and never let anything happen to me. I’m just drawn to Arrow. I can’t even explain it.”
She puts her hand on her hip. “At least Arrow is single. Tracker has a woman. There’s no chance there either, so you’re not alone.”
“Unrequited lust,” I blurt out, causing us to giggle, although nothing was really funny.
“We have the weirdest conversations,” I muse, my lip twitching. “It’s good to be back in town with you.”
Lana bobs her head in agreement. “It sucked big-time when you left; but you’re here now, and we get to make the most of it.”
“We do,” I say, standing up and putting my plate in the sink. “What are we doing today anyway?”
Lana smiles widely. “I’m going to the library to study, and you have your work trial.”
Right.
“We’re so fun,” I grumble. “I’m going to jump in the shower.”
Lana picks up her book. “I’m going to read a little while I wait.”
I bite my bottom lip, trying not to smirk. “Maybe next time just ask Tracker anything you want to know. Or your sluttiest friend.”
Maybe just ask Rake, the man-whore of the century. I think the only reason he got awkward about it was because I was there. I have a feeling if I wasn’t, it might even be his favorite subject.
“You are my sluttiest friend,” Lana replies in a dry tone, causing me to laugh. In Lana’s twenty-five years of life, she’s slept only with two men. According to her, those two men didn’t really know what they were doing. I offered to give them a map with a woman’s clit marked on it. I know she’s curious as hell and wants to try out everything she reads in those books. Whoever lands her and brings her out of her shell is going to be a lucky man indeed.
“You need to find more friends,” I call out to her as I enter the bathroom, closing the door behind me.
“You’re more than I can handle, thank you very much!” she calls out. I can’t help but wonder where all her friends are, the ones she would have hung out with when I left the city. She hasn’t mentioned anyone else, and I’m a little curious as to why. Reminding myself to ask her about that, I undress and step into the shower, enjoying the feeling of the warm water cascading down my body. When the water starts to turn cold, I hop out and dry myself, then choose what to wear for my first day at work.
If I get the job.
I settle on black pants and a loose black shirt, since I remembered Summer wearing something similar. I put on my black boots, a little bit of makeup, tie my hair up in a ponytail, and I’m good to go. When I walk out, Lana lifts her head from her book. “You look very nice.”
“Thanks,” I tell her. “I want to look neither too slutty nor too professional.”
She laughs at that. “Well, you nailed it. Want to grab a coffee before you start?”
I nod. “Sounds good.”
She stands up and slides her book into her handbag, then smiles up at me. “I know just the place.”
I look up and we leave the house, getting into her car that has seen better days.
“I need a new car,” she grumbles, like she always does.
“Hey, Ronald is a classic,” I reply, lifting my hand to fiddle with the stereo.
“Ronald needs to be replaced,” she says. “We’ve had some good times, don’t get me wrong, but I think he’s going to fall apart at any moment.”
She isn’t wrong. Ronald’s time is nearing. I also know she doesn’t have the money to replace him. Lana’s mother worked her ass off as a nurse at the hospital, and Lana was a full-time student. She started her degree later than she could have, because her mom was ill for a little while and Lana worked as a waitress full-time to help pay the bills. She deserved everything, had nothing, but never complained.
“I have money in the bank that Rake gave me—we could get you a new car with that,” I offer, but already know what her reply will be. Lana is also very proud, and stubborn as hell.
“Anna, thanks, but you know I couldn’t accept that,” she replies quietly. “I have some money saved away, you don’t need to worry about me anymore.”
“I know.” I sigh. “But I’m always here, no matter what you need.”
Considering Rake’s money was sitting in my bank because I was too stubborn to use someone else’s money, I could see where she was coming from. However, my circumstances were a little different than hers; I had only myself to worry about and a brother who would give me the world.
The music chooses that moment to turn on, Sam Smith playing through the car.
“See, Ronald is good to us sometimes,” I say, making her smile.
“He has his moments.”
* * *
After my second smashed glass, I hear Reid mutter something about a “clumsy scientist.” His twin Ryan, on the other hand, laughs and tells me not to worry about it. Ryan is easy to be around, and extremely laid-back. Reid is kind of grumpy, and a little scary. I was told that he’s a badass MMA fighter, which is why no one messes with him.
Summer arrives and takes over my training, thank God. Reid was getting on my last nerve.
“It gets pretty busy on the weekends,” Summer is saying. “Will you be able to work Saturday nights?”
“Yeah, no problem,” I tell her. “What other days will you need me?”
She tilts her head to the side, thinking. “Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays would be perfect. We have a girl who does Friday nights now, so that’s covered.”
“Those days work fine for me,” I reply.
She nods, then smiles. “I think we’re going to get along just fine, Anna.”
“Thanks for giving me the job, I know he isn’t so thrilled,” I say, nodding my head toward Reid, who is scowling in my direction.
Summer laughs. “Actually the reason he didn’t want to hire you was . . .”
She glances at Reid, then back at me, and lowers her voice.
“Summer,” Reid calls, walking over and kissing her on her brow. “I’m sure Anna has work to do.”
I cross my arms over my chest and stare him in the eye, not backing down. “Why didn’t you want to hire me? Tell me the truth.”
He raises an eyebrow. “A bit bold for a woman who just got hired thirty seconds ago.”
He is right, but I still want to know what the hell is going on. I decide to goad him. “Fine, I guess you’re scared.”
“Of what?” he growls.
I shrug nonchalantly. “Of whatever you won’t tell me.”
He grits his teeth. “You don’t know who I am, do you?”
Is he famous or something? I have no idea who he is except for extremely hot and even more rude.
I bite my bottom lip. “No, but if I had a woman as hot as Summer in my bed I’d be a lot less grumpy.”
Summer bursts out laughing.
Reid, on the other hand, sighs and rubs his chin. “I know who you are, that’s why. You’re trouble.”
“And who am I?” I ask, confused. “I’m not trouble. I’m an upstanding citizen and a well-educated woman.”
I hear Summer’s laughter but ignore it.
“You belong to the Wind Dragons; don’t play dumb,” Reid replies, crossing his arms over his impressive chest.
My mouth drops open. “I don’t belong to anyone, thank you very fucking much.”
He studies me, looking amused. “Babe, you may as well have ‘Property of Wind Dragons MC’ tattooed on your forehead. Anyway, I wanted to ask them if they were cool with you working here, but they haven’t been in in a while.”
“You know them?” I ask, my eyes widening.
Fucking hell.
This city is too small.
“’Course I do,” he says without smugness, just pure fact. Reid obviously knows a lot of people.
“It’s a job, why would they have a problem with it? They don’t own me.”
Assholes.
Reid chuckles deeply. “You don’t know how the club works, do you? It’s a bar. You’re a beautiful woman. Do the math.”
I narrow my eyes, ignoring his compliment. “Summer works here; she’s hot.”
His lip twitches. “No one will touch Summer.”
I roll my eyes and look at Summer, who is grinning. “And no one will touch me either, even if I don’t have a scary fighter for a boyfriend. Let me worry about me.”
I’ve been doing it for so long anyway.
“They’re a possessive bunch, Anna; you know it and I know it. To be honest, I didn’t want the drama, but Summer said she wanted you to work here, which is why you’re standing here right now.”
“But this isn’t fair. I need a job, and just because my brother is a Wind Dragons member doesn’t mean I should be discriminated against.”
Reid shrugs. “Just being honest with you like you asked.”
I sigh. “Yeah, you’re right.”
“Once word gets out who you belong to, I think the men will stay away anyway. I just don’t want anyone trying to get at you to make the club angry.”
“What do you mean?” I ask, frowning.
“Let’s say someone wants to start shit with the club; they know that if they go near you it would accomplish just that,” he explains. “I didn’t want that drama in my bar, because then it becomes my problem.”
I rub my temple, a headache starting to appear. “I’m just going to serve drinks and not worry about things I have nothing to do with.”
Reid smirks. “If you think so.”
“It’ll be fine,” Summer adds, stroking Reid’s impressively muscular arm.
Reid gives me a look and says, “It better be.”
SIX
WHEN I see Arrow waiting for me after class, I try to hide my smile.
My day is suddenly looking up.
“Pull the short straw again?” I ask as I walk up to him, grinning.
The look he gives me lets me know he’s not impressed. “Rake’s on a run, wanted me to pick you up.”
“Where did he go?” I ask, wondering why he hadn’t said anything.
“Club business,” Arrow grunts back, then rubs his beard.
Fuck, he’s hot.
His eyes snap to mine and narrow. It’s then I realize that I said that out loud.
Holy shit.
“I mean, fuck, it’s hot,” I blurt, clearing my throat.
It isn’t really that hot, so I sound even more stupid.
I look down so he doesn’t see my flushed cheeks. The last thing I need is for him to know the extent of my attraction to him, so divulging shit like that is not something I need to be doing.
“You’re pretty hot yourself, Anna,” he replies. Was that amusement I can hear in his tone?
I look up and, yes, his eyes are dancing with it. I decide to play it off with a shrug. “What? You’re a good-looking man. Is it a crime to admire the wrapping?”
“Fuck,” he whispers quietly.
“What?”
“Be easier if you weren’t attracted to me.”
My eyebrows raise. “Why is that?”
A muscle tics in his jaw. “I think you’re really something, Anna. But people I care about get hurt. If you’re smart, you will hide what I can so easily see in your eyes because it makes me tempted to take what you’re offering.”
I look down.
I do want him.
I don’t know what he saw in my eyes, but I can only imagine. I wish my eyes weren’t so expressive.
My phone vibrates, so I pull it out of my pocket, glad for something to do.
“Who’s messaging you?” he asks.
My head snaps up. “A friend.”
It was Damien, wanting to meet up to study.
“This friend have a cock? ’Cause then we got a problem,” he rasps, grinning and showing off his straight white teeth.
“So what, I’m not allowed any male friends? Never mind, don’t even answer that because I don’t want to hear what you have to say,” I snap, shaking my head in astonishment. “Give you men an inch, I tell you what.”
“You done?” he asks, obviously sick of me rambling on. “Besides, pretty sure it’s meant to be the man giving you inch by inch.”
Did he just make a sexual innuendo?
“For now,” I say, wanting to have the last word. “And I wouldn’t know about any inches because I’ve been having a dry spell for quite a while now.”
“How long?” he asks, watching me intently.
“Long enough.”
“Hmmmm,” he replies, then clears his throat.
“I’ll be picking you up tonight as well, after your shift,” he says when I don’t speak.
He reaches out his big hand and I pass him my bag. “I don’t remember telling anyone about my job.”
His brown eyes search mine. “Rake is fuckin’ confused as to why you got yourself a job when he gave you a shitload of money that should last you all fuckin’ year.”
“I don’t want his money, I want to make my own money.”
It was as simple as that.
“Stubborn.”
My lips tighten. “I’m not lazy. I can work to support myself. Only a lazy woman is impressed with wealth, while hardworking women can go out there and get money themselves.”
Arrow shakes his head. “Your brother wants to help you; cut him some slack. Christ, you’re a pain in the ass.”
“Don’t get me wrong, I’m grateful to him, and it’s nice knowing the money is there if I ever get in a bad spot.”
“Did you tell Rake that?”
“Of course I did,” I reply, frowning. “It was a generous thing to do.”
“It was very generous. Rake is a good man.”
I nod. “I know; trust me, I know. I’d do anything for him too. I’m just hoping he will give me a little more freedom.”
He shrugs, like it doesn’t bother him either way. “Take it up with him. Let’s get moving.”
I don’t move a muscle.
“What?” he barks.
“You don’t have to be so rude. A please wouldn’t go astray, you know,” I grumble, stepping toward his bike.
“Anna, just get your little ass on my bike. I have to make a stop on the way and I’m already late, so stop fucking around,” he says quietly, then turns his back to me.
“I want to make a stop too,” I say.
“We don’t have time.”
“We do,” I say. “It will only take an hour max.”
He tilts his head to the side. “Better be fuckin’ important.”
“What the hell is your problem exactly? I think I prefer your silence and your grunts to your being an asshole,” I snap.
I grab my bag from his hand and hitch it over my shoulder. “Go where you need to go; I’ll take the bus home.”
Without another look at him, I turn and head toward the bus stop. It’s no big deal to me, I have no problem taking the bus. I take three steps before his hand clamps down on my bicep and pulls me to a stop. “Rake wanted me to take you home, so I’m taking you home.”
“Don’t bother.”
“No arguing.”
“I’ll just tell Rake you took me home, so consider yourself absolved from babysitting duty.”
He grits his teeth. “We could have been halfway by now. Stop wasting time and stop being so stubborn. Remember, I’m picking you up tonight.”
“Reid can drop me home.”
“I said I’ll be there to pick you up, Anna. Stop arguing for the sake of it,” he grits out.
“I just don’t see the point—”
“Anna,” he says in warning.
“Fine,” I snap, pulling my arm out of his hold and stepping to his bike. He hands me a helmet in silence, puts his own on, and gets on the bike. He has my messenger bag across his back, holding it for me, which I think is kind of cute. Too bad he’s being a jerk right now. I slide on behind him, my hands finding the bottom of his cut and holding on. I lean forward against his warm body, until I realize what I’m doing and purposely lean back. The last thing I need is to get close to this man. When we come to a stop at a house, Arrow gets off the bike and I do the same.
“Wait here,” he tells me, then walks to the front door. I look around the middle-class neighborhood, trying and failing not to be curious about what Arrow is doing here. When a pretty brunette opens the front door and welcomes him inside, I get my answer. I don’t expect it to hurt so much, but it does. He brought me with him to see his fucking girlfriend? Am I meant to just stand here while he does whatever with her? I grit my teeth and look away from the house. Pulling out my phone, I’m about to call Lana to come pick me up when I hear him behind me.
“Let’s go,” he says, nodding toward his bike.
That was . . . quick.
I avoid his gaze and get on his bike once more.
“Where to now, Anna?”
“The zoo.”
He turns his body to look at me. “The fuck?”
“I need to go to the zoo. It’s important.”
He sighs. “Right.”
He turns around, and I hide my grin. I don’t actually have to go to the zoo today. I just want to share something that’s a part of me with Arrow.
When we arrive, we walk side by side to the entrance. Arrow looks menacing in all black, his leather cut garnering more than a few stares. He ignores everyone, instead looking down at me.
“This is what you want to do with your life?”
My lips twitch. “Something like that.”
“Hi, Anna,” Beth calls out. She’s working as cashier, collecting tickets.
“Hey, Beth, how are you?” I say as we walk by.
Her eyes go to Arrow and widen. “Um. G-good. You here for more observations?”
I nod. She lets me and Arrow through.
Pulling Arrow by his T-shirt, I lead him to my favorite enclosure.
“You brought me here to see a giant turtle?” he asks, staring down at Dave.
“He’s a Galápagos tortoise,” I say. “They can live to be over a hundred years old. I don’t know why, but this is my favorite spot in the zoo.”
I look at Arrow to see him studying me, grinning. “Christ, you should see the way your face lights up talking about a damn turtle.”
“Tortoise,” I correct.
He chuckles. “Tortoise. Right. What else can you tell me about him?”
I beam.
He is going to be here for longer than an hour.
* * *
I wish I could say I was surprised when they walked into Knox’s Tavern at midnight, but I wasn’t. Even though I’d argued, saying I could get a ride home, Arrow, Irish, Tracker, and Vinnie take a seat at the bar and stare at me expectantly. I glance at Reid, who raises an eyebrow at me. I told you so. Arrow doesn’t miss our exchange, and his eyes narrow on me, then dart from me to Reid. After spending two hours with me at the zoo, I thought Arrow might let his guard down around me permanently, but by the look of his shuttered gaze, I can almost feel the wall he’s put up since our outing. He’d been funny, attentive, and curious today. I found him to be a good listener too. We’d had fun and enjoyed each other’s company. At least I’d enjoyed his.
When I look at Reid, I find him still watching me. I glance at Arrow, and I can almost see the moment when he comes to the conclusion that I must be fucking Reid. I look away from him and scan the faces of the other men.
“There’s a million other bars you could be in right now,” I say to them, wiping my hands on a tea towel.
Tracker smiles widely, blue eyes sparkling. “And miss this great customer service? Hell, no. I’ll have a beer, Anna Bell.”
He has his blond hair tied back in a way that I can’t help but find attractive. “Loving the man bun by the way,” I tell him.
He smirks. “I thought you would.”
I’d been going on about a certain sexy model who rocks a beard and a man bun. And tattoos.
Hot!
“What would the rest of you like?” I ask, feeling Arrow’s eyes on me.
“Whiskey,” Arrow says as he turns from me and glances around the bar. Irish and Vinnie order beers as well. I’ve met Irish once or twice, but I’ve never really had a conversation with him. He’s a good-looking man, with dark hair and eyes and scars that only add to his appeal. I get the beers first, then pour Arrow his whiskey and slide the glass over to him.
“Put it on our tab,” Arrow says, then clears his throat. “Please.”
My eyes flare. Did he just say please? Because of our conversation this afternoon? I nod and flash him a small smile before heading to the opposite side of the bar to serve other customers. I see Reid chatting with Arrow, the two of them laughing about something. When everyone is served, I walk to the tables and collect the glasses, piling as many as I can without dropping them. I carry them to the back, almost running into Tag, another guy who works here.
“Need some help?” he asks, eyeing the huge stack.
“No, I’ve got this. But thanks,” I reply, smiling up at him. “You can man the bar though.”
He smiles crookedly. “Already giving out orders, hmmmm?”
“What? Trust me, you haven’t seen me take control yet.” I smirk, giving him a wink for good measure.
He laughs loudly, shakes his head, and walks to the bar. I stack the glasses next to the sink, then tidy up the station before returning out front. I watch as Arrow sips his drink, his gaze never leaving me.
“Slow day at the office?” I ask, leaning my elbows down in the bar.
He shrugs his broad shoulders. “Have to babysit you, so thought I might as well have a drink while I do it.”
My smile drops. “You don’t have to babysit me, you only have to pick me up. Two hours from now, might I add. And where’s Rake?”
“Out,” he replies. “I told you he’s on a run.”
“On a run with who?” I ask, watching as Arrow licks some whiskey off his full, firm lips.
My mouth suddenly feels parched.
I turn to Tracker, much safer territory. “Want another beer?”
“Yes, please,” he replies, sliding his empty bottle to me. “Where’s Lana tonight?”
“On a date,” I reply, not looking up.
“With who?” he asks quietly. “I didn’t know she was seeing anyone.”
I reach down to the fridge and pull out another beer before I answer. “She wasn’t. Now she is.”
She wasn’t, not really. Some guy asked her out and she was forcing herself to go, determined to forget Tracker—but he didn’t need to know that.
A group of women walk in, about six of them. Only two are beautiful, but I see the men around me staring at all of them. Must be the cheerleader effect in action. Irish calls two women over—the good-looking ones, of course—and one instantly sits on his lap, the other on Vinnie’s. I look to Arrow and raise a brow, wondering when he is going to get his man-whore on like the rest of them. When Tracker pulls a middling blonde onto his lap, I judge him.
Hard.
“Tracker—”
“Not your business, Anna,” Arrow cuts in. I snap my mouth shut and glare at Arrow, but still can’t ignore what Tracker’s doing. I don’t even like Allie—you could actually say I hated her—but if you don’t want a woman, or a man, you end it with them. You don’t cheat. There’s no honor or loyalty in cheating. Just don’t be with that person if you’re not happy—it’s as simple as that. I’ve been cheated on before, and it hurts. There’s a moment, if only for an instant, when you wonder what you didn’t have that the cheater felt the need to seek elsewhere. I had that moment. Then, when my self-respect kicked in seconds later, I realized it wasn’t my fault but his. I wasn’t the one being disloyal for whatever reason; I’m more honest than that.
I walk away from Tracker and his new friend, who is now straddling him, and stand at the opposite side of the bar. If Tracker ever mans up, dumps Allie, and goes after Lana, there is no way in hell I’m going to be on his side when I see him acting like this. I get drinks for a few rowdy women out for a divorce party, then grit my teeth as I watch the divorcée herself strut over to Arrow after a few shots of liquid courage. I lean back on the bar, cross my arms over my chest, and watch the show.
I need to remind myself that Arrow is not and never will be the man for me.
