Pivotal Moments (In Time #1) (13 page)

I gave her a tight smile, and then stared at tiled floor. I couldn’t let her see it, but maybe Renee was right. I had nothing to hold Teagan’s interest in the long run.

Cassia cleared her throat, an expectant look on her face.

“Sure, okay,” I said, trying to sound convincing. “He’s with me.” But for how long? I added silently. I had to put some emotional distance between us; my self-esteem couldn’t take a blow like what was coming.

Cassia eyed me suspiciously. “I don’t believe you.” She sighed. “Look, I don’t have time to get into this with you right now. The boys are all waiting for us, and our food is probably there now.” She jerked her head in the direction of our table. “Let’s go back.” She pointed at me again. “But this is not a finished discussion. Understood?”

I nodded, but I had no intention of continuing this conversation. For all I knew about Teagan, I could be a game to pass the time while he was on break.

A flash of pain raced through my heart. Just the thought made me want to cry. I didn’t—couldn’t—measure up to Renee. I had to wonder if he had any other scratches out there, and what they were like.

They’re probably all just as beautiful, I thought bitterly.

I followed Cassia back to the table, and stopped dead in my tracks. At some point, Renee must have passed us while we were talking and planted herself in my seat, resting her hand on Teagan’s upper arm and leaning in as she whispered something to him. He let out a bark of laughter, and I’ll admit, I saw red. Who did she think she was, poaching on my guy? And for that matter, why was Teagan allowing this display of familiarity?

I walked over to the table. I’ll give him credit; my traitorous boyfriend noticed me immediately and flashed me a tender smile. It faded as he took me in. “Aislinn, honey, what’s wrong?” Concern and worry were written all over his face and tone.

I glanced between Renee’s hand still on his arm and how close she was sitting to him, then I finally shrugged. What was I supposed to say? It’s not like I could admit my self-confidence issues in front of everyone. I wanted to maintain just a little pride today.

Teagan reached out until his hand closed around mine, giving me a worried frown. He tugged me to him and pulled me down onto his lap, wrapping an arm tightly around my waist. As he pressed a soft kiss to my ear, Renee glared at me.

Well, at least I had this over her.

I sighed quietly and leaned my head against his, closing my eyes in brief contentment. It didn’t escape my notice how some of my anxiety eased at his display of affection. As his free hand softly stroked my arm, I settled deeper into his chest.

“What’s wrong, sweetheart?” he asked me again, his voice low.

Renee was still glowering at us, and I couldn’t contain a little smirk of triumph at her jealousy. Her face turned bright red. Yeah, it helped a little. But I was still upset.

A squeeze around my waist pulled my attention back. Frustration lined Teagan’s face. I raised an eyebrow.

“You’re doing it again,” he said. “You’re sitting in your head.” He let out a sigh. “I thought you were going to work on that.”

I stiffened. Whether he meant to or not, he had just put me on the spot. I flushed. This was private. “I’m fine, Teagan,” I ground out.

He opened his mouth to say something, but was interrupted.

“It’s Teeg,” Renee snipped.

I glared at her. “What?”

“He doesn’t like to be called Teagan. He prefers Teeg,” she said, condescension dripping from her voice.

I turned to him. “Is that true?”

He shrugged and smiled. “Usually, yes. But there’s something about the way you say it…I like it when you call me Teagan.” I was pretty sure of the sincerity in his tone, but I couldn’t trust myself anymore.

“You never let me call you that,” Renee said, pouting.

Teagan rolled his eyes. “Because you’re not Aislinn,” he stated matter-of-factly.

Renee flushed, then sat up and smirked. “Well, you sure weren’t complaining week before last, when you came to my place.” She shot me a smug look. “When you left the next morning, you had a smile on your face.”

I reeled like I’d been slapped. He had been with her that soon before he asked me to go out with him? I knew it had happened before he met me, but it didn’t stop the anxiety from forming.

Teagan’s arms tightened around me. “What the fuck, Renee?” He pulled me closer to his chest. “What the hell are you trying to do? Cut this shit out!”

Renee rolled her eyes. The table had fallen silent. Troy and Cassia were watching sympathetically. Kevin was sitting back in his seat, beer bottle in hand, an amused look on his face. Tom looked on thoughtfully, a small frown playing about his lips. I squirmed under their scrutiny.

“Why should I stop?” she cried. “You don’t want her to know what you were doing the night before you left with Connor?” She laughed. “And I guess you aren’t going to tell her about all your other friends, are you?

“That’s enough, Renee,” Troy said in a firm tone. I gave him a grateful smile.

Renee jumped out of her seat. “You know what? This is bullshit!” She gestured to Teagan and me. “You’re treating her like she’s something special, but we all know he’ll be calling when he gets back. You know it, I know it…admit it.” She looked around the table, glowering at each of us. “She’s nothing.”

Troy stood up, palms flat on the table. “I said enough. Shut up, or leave.”

She turned to Teagan. “Teeg…baby?”

He kept his gaze locked on me, refusing to look at her. “I don’t want to hear it. I don’t know what the fuck your problem is, but you’re not going to act like this around Aislinn. You heard Troy, he was pretty damn clear.”

Turning his gaze to her, he narrowed his eyes at her in a steely glare. “I can promise you this, though. I’m with Aislinn, feet first, all the way. There won’t be any calls or invitations…to you or anyone else.” I would have been a fool not feel a small measure of comfort at his words.

“But—”

“No buts. I don’t know what you think was going to happen, but I told you straight up what we were. I never lied to you. I never gave you a reason to think it’d be anything more than it was.”

“Whatever,” she grumbled. “You’ll be back. As soon as you get bored, you’ll come calling me.” Smug confidence radiated off her. “I’ll be right here, waiting.”

Teagan shook his head. “Don’t bother.”

I should have been over the moon at his words, but I didn’t know what to think or feel. I wasn’t so naïve that I thought Teagan was an angel. In fact, I was on the verge of thinking he was a player. If that was the case, what should I expect in our relationship? Teagan was a grown man with needs. Needs I wasn’t ready or able to satisfy.

A pit settled in my stomach.

Renee snatched her purse up, tossed me one last withering glare, and then stormed out of the restaurant. The table was silent until Teagan sighed, rubbing my arm again. “I’m sorry,” he whispered so only I could hear him. “If I’d known she’d be here, we wouldn’t have come.”

“I think we should head home, Troy,” Cassia said quietly. “It’s getting late, and they have a long drive ahead of them.”

Troy nodded and stood. “Yeah. Plus, I have to be at work early tomorrow.”

It was obvious dinner was over, made awkward by the scene that had taken place.

He held out his hand to me. I stood and placed my hand in his. He shook it firmly, giving me a kind smile. “It was good to meet you, Ash. Hope to see you around in the fall.”

I gave him a small smile. “Yeah, me too.” And I meant it.

Cassia came around the table and gave me a hug while the guys did their one-armed, beat on the back thing they do. Her action took me by surprise, but her whispered words surprised me further.

“You’re already starting,” she said quietly. “You can’t do that.”

I pulled away, frowning. “What are you talking about?”

She gestured toward Teagan. “You’re letting someone from his past interfere with your future.” I began to shake my head, but she held up a hand. “He obviously cares about you, or he wouldn’t have brought you here. So, keep that in mind before you decide to kick him to the curb.”

I stared at her in shock. “What? No! I’m not—”

“Bullshit. You are. You have been ever since Renee cornered you.”

I glanced at Teagan and stilled. He was standing next to Troy, watching me with a soft smile. I wanted so badly to go over to him…but what if Renee was right?

“Aislinn?”

I brought my attention back to Cassia. “Yeah?”

“Whatever it is you’re thinking, don’t,” she said firmly. “Kevin should have his ass kicked for bringing Renee. He knew Teeg was going to bring you along.”

My jaw dropped. I hadn’t been expecting that. “What?”

“Kevin’s a dick. He does shit like this all the time. But he’s crossed a line.” She nodded toward Teagan, who was having a low conversation with Troy, an angry frown on his face. “I wouldn’t want to be him next weekend,” Cassia said.

“Why are you so sure about me and him?” I asked.

She smiled. “’Cuz, sweetie…he’s never made plans for us to meet anyone he’s dated. We’ve just run into them along the way.”

“What?”

“Yeah. The other two he dated, we just ran into while he was out with them. He never actually introduced us.” She paused, a thoughtful look on her face. “I’ve known Teeg since the first week he got here. He and Troy were friends right from the start. I’ve never seen him with a girl like he is with you.”

I flushed, a small bit of hope flaring within me. Could what she be saying be true? I was so scared to believe it.

“Cass, let’s get going, babe,” Troy called out.

“Okay, baby.” She turned back to me. “Just trust in what he has to offer you. Give it a chance,” she said, her tone earnest.

I nodded. The grin she flashed in response was so wide and so happy; I couldn’t help but smile in return. She reached over and hugged me again.

“You won’t regret it, I promise. Teeg’s a good guy who already adores you. Don’t quit on him, and I have a feeling he’ll more than make it worth your while,” she said with a smug grin.

“Make what worth whose while?” Troy asked.

I jumped as Teagan slipped his arms around my waist from behind, and he chuckled, tightening his grip. Inhaling his unique scent, I began to relax.

“We were just talking about Teeg, and how he is now that he’s with Aislinn,” Cassia said calmly.

My jaw almost hit the floor. She was going to tell him what we said? Oh, my God—I’m pretty sure that violated, like, six different chick laws.

“Oh? And how is that?” Teagan asked. He pressed a gentle kiss to my neck, just below my jaw. I didn’t try to suppress the shiver. His lips formed into a smile against my skin, and he sighed.

Cassia laughed. “Exactly like that, dude.” Smiling, she said, “You were never like this with the others, all affectionate and stuff. This time is definitely different.”

Teagan nuzzled my jaw with his nose before pressing a gentle kiss on my cheek. “Yeah, you’re right.”

“I know I am,” she said, her smug tone speaking volumes.

Troy looked on with amusement, shaking his head. “All right, Miss Meddler, let’s get home.”

I watched as they exchanged tender smiles and felt a surge of jealous want. The two of them seemed so in tune with each other, so at ease.

“I’m not meddling,” she defended. “I’m just stating my observations.”

Troy laughed and said, “You’re meddling.” Turning his attention back to me, he added, “We’re out of here. Call us when you start school, okay?”

I nodded.

“All right, man,” Teagan said as he moved to my side and draped an arm over my shoulders. “Get out of here. I’ll see you next week.”

At Cassia’s pointed look, I gave a strained smile. I understood; I just wasn’t sure I was strong enough to trust Teagan. But I wanted to, dammit.

After Cassia and Troy left, Tom came over and said his goodbye. It was after he left that Kevin cleared his throat and Teagan stiffened.

“So…okay, dude. Look, I’m sorry. I didn’t realize you were bringing your girl tonight,” Kevin explained quickly, holding out a hand. “Renee heard you were going to be in town this evening. She wanted me to bring her along.”

Teagan scowled. “Bullshit. You knew I had Aislinn with me, dude. What happened here tonight?—Not cool.” He dropped his arm from around me and took a step toward Kevin, clenching and unclenching his fists, forearm muscles bunching and releasing with each movement. It was both mesmerizing and nerve-racking. His jaw tightened and his body coiled, waiting for a reason to unleash. I needed to diffuse this, quickly.

I reached out and laid a hand on his arm. “Teagan,” I said softly, “please don’t.”

The fierce look in his stormy eyes had me fighting the urge to step away. He’d never hurt me—but this Teagan was intimidating as hell. “No, baby. He disrespected you. I’m not going to let that shit slide.” He nodded in Kevin’s direction, and the other man paled. “He knew you were going to be here with me, and he brought Renee anyway.” Teagan shook his head. “What kind of man would I be to just let that shit go?”