Redeem Me: Oakville Series:Book Four (9 page)

“I’m going to take a shower. It would be a smart move on your part not to be here when I get out,” she states. Not waiting for a response, she rushes to her bathroom and slams the door.

When I hear the shower start, I grab the pillow and scream into it. “FUCK!” Why do I always fuck everything up? I groan out loud. I would rather die than cause this woman an ounce of pain, but the last twenty-four hours, that’s all I seem to be doing.

Standing up, the towel falls to the floor and I realize I have no clean clothes here. Could this day get any worse? I secure the towel around my waist and seek out last night’s clothes. Rifling through my puke-stained clothes on the floor, I find my keys and on my way to the door, hoping there’s no one in the hallway to see me like this.

After a long, cold shower, I decide to walk to KC’s. Tonight is the first night Fallen Angels is opening up for us, so everyone is probably there rehearsing. Playing is exactly what I need right now. Everything else melts away when I’m on stage—all the heartache, regret, and guilt.

I walk into the bar and all eyes fall on me, but the pair I notice first are dark brown and remind me of my greatest regret. Kyle pulls out the stool next to him and doesn’t bother to hide the smirk on his face.

“Haven’t seen you tie one on like that in a very long time. Want to talk about what’s bothering you?” he asks. I know he’s being sincere, that he’s concerned, but there’s nothing to say.

“Not really, man.” He nods his head slowly. He knows me better than anyone, so the fact that I’m tight-lipped about my problems is nothing out of the ordinary.

“So, should I worry about my wife and Holly wanting to kill you because you’re fucking around with their friend?” he asks with a laugh. I forgot about the wrath that will come down on my ass if I screw things up with Chelsie, but nothing happened between us. No promises were made.

“Nothing happened, and after today, nothing ever will.”

“Don’t be too sure of that. I see the way the two of you look at each other. There’s something there, ya’ll are just too damn pigheaded to do anything about it,” Kyle states. He’s right to a point, but fear and the fact that she’s pissed is what’s holding me back, not the fact that I’m stubborn.

Chelsie

I
wish I could tell Amber and Holly I’m not up to hanging out tonight. I know Angel will be at the bar, and seeing him again so soon isn’t a good idea. I’m still so pissed off at him and afraid I’ll throat punch him if he tries to speak to me. Unfortunately, I’m not left with much of a choice. I either need to get over it, or learn to deal with the fact that he’s so closed up. We are always around each other, either at work or with friends. He’s a constant. There’s no way around it. I bite the bullet and get ready to go.

The girls are already waiting for me when I arrive. They call out and wave me over to their table. Glancing toward the bar, I see Angel talking to Kyle. Fighting the ache in my chest, I slap a smile on my face and hope no one sees anything more than the usual, happy-go-lucky Chelsie. I love these girls and I know I can tell them anything, but I’m just not ready to dissect the cluster fuck that is Angel and I. Thankfully, a pitcher of appletinis is waiting on the table. A few drinks is exactly what I need right now.

After quite a few drinks and great conversation with my besties, I’m starting to feel better. That is, until I see Angel all cozy, chatting it up with Kayleigh. What the fuck? I should’ve known his dick would have been all up in her, too. Is it too much to ask to have an employee that hasn’t been fucked by the guy I want and can’t have? My blood boils as I watch the two of them talk and laugh. I want to kick him in the balls so hard, his future kids will feel it. A better idea comes to mind when I see the guys from Fallen Angels come off the stage after their rehearsal. Dallas is gorgeous, and the total opposite of Angel. His boy next door looks mixed with his rock hard body would get any woman’s motor going. Angel’s gonna get everything he’s been giving me tenfold. This bitch ain’t playing.

I down the remainder of my drink and the shot sitting next to it before climbing out of the booth. Walking as straight as I can, I pass Angel without even a glance his way and head straight to Dallas. “Hey, I was wondering if you’d like to dance?” I ask. Right to the point. A smile crosses his face as his buddies hoot and holler behind him.

“Sure would,” he says as he stands up and takes my hand in his. We turn and head toward the dance floor. This time, I do look at Angel, and I give him my sweetest, most innocent smile.

Before we get to the dance floor, I stop at the jukebox and search for the perfect song for what I have in mind. When I get to
Pony
by Genuwine, I smile. I’m gonna have that boy wishing he was the asshole he pretends to be and just fucked me while he had the chance.

Angel

H
er sweet smile doesn’t fool me one bit. Does she really think dancing with Pretty Boy’s gonna make me jealous enough to spill my guts to her? She better think again. She saunters her fine little ass past me to the jukebox with Pretty Boy in tow, his eyes glued to it. If he doesn’t mind his manners, my fist will be meeting his face.

Chelsie looks through the songs carefully and smiles as Dallas hands her a dollar to feed in the machine. She glances over her shoulder at me as she presses the buttons for her selection. As the song begins to play, I laugh. I mean, really? This girl’s pulling out all the stops, not that it’s gonna change anything.

She pulls him to the center of the dance floor and turns her back to his front. Gripping her hips, he pulls her back against him, and she starts grinding against his crotch in rhythm to the song. Damn, I didn’t realize she could move like that. She looks like something straight out of a strip club—her movements so graceful, yet downright dirty. She raises her arms above her head and slowly grinds her ass against him some more as he runs his hands down her arms. When he grazes the sides of her breasts, I jump off the stool, barely containing the anger building in the pit of my stomach.
I’m not jealous. She’s not mine. I have no feelings for her.
I keep repeating the words over and over as I watch the two of them practically fuck with their clothes on.

Everyone in the bar is watching them now. Whistles and catcalls are almost as loud as the music. There isn’t a pair of male eyes not fixed on the hot movements of her perfect body. Paul and Kyle keep looking from me to them. Most likely making sure I stay calm, but there’s no reason not to be calm.
I’m not jealous. She’s not mine. I have no feelings for her.

Slowly, she turns around to face him, their crotches now rubbing together. My fists clench at my sides, resisting the urge to grab the fucker by the throat and chuck him across the bar.
I’m not jealous. She’s not mine. I have no feelings for her.
His hands run all over her body, and I feel like a rubber band about to snap.
I’m not jealous. She’s not mine. I have no feelings for her.
I grab ahold of the bar so tightly, my hands hurt. Chelsie throws her head back and Dallas moves in closer, trailing kisses down her neck.
I’m not jealous. She’s not mine—

“Fuck that!” I snap. Kyle and Paul try to grab ahold of me, but I’m moving too fast. I have no idea what I’m going to say or do, but this shit isn’t going to fly with me. I storm over to where they are pawing all over one another and loudly clear my throat. “I need to talk to you, sweet pea. NOW.” She looks at me, and smiles. Fucking smiles.

“There’s nothing to talk about, Angel,” she says sweetly, then moves in closer, her lips almost touching my ear. “Don’t bother. My V-card is no longer in your hands. I found someone more than happy to take it from me,” she whispers, then pushes me away and goes back to her boy toy. What the fuck was that? Is she out of her goddamn mind?

I remain rooted in place with my mouth hanging open like a fucking moron, but I can’t seem to move. My blood pounds in my ears as my face grows so hot, it could start a fire right now. I don’t remember ever being this pissed off in my entire life. If she gives herself away, it’s not going to be to some random fucktard who doesn’t give a shit about her. Doesn’t she ever listen? I told her it should be with someone who loves her. It should be with me. Shit, I love her, and I’ll be damned if this fucker’s gonna lay another finger on my girl.

I step closer to them and grab Chelsie’s arm. She squirms out of my grasp and rears back, slapping me. I rub my cheek in an attempt to ease the stinging pain. We just stand there staring into each other’s eyes, neither one of us wanting to be the one to give in first. Paul and Kyle each grab one of my arms and pull me off the dance floor toward the office. I glance over my shoulder and see that Chelsie’s still standing there watching me.

“What the fuck was that?” Paul questions when they get me back to Kyle’s office. They don’t seem pissed, just surprised. Can’t say I blame them, seeing as I surprised the fuck out of myself.

“Seeing those two all up on each other made me snap. I couldn’t control myself,” I say, trying to explain, but I don’t think I’m doing a very good job. They both look at each other and smile.

“What the hell’s so funny?”

“We’ve both been there man. We know exactly how you feel,” Kyle says, still laughing.

“Question is, are you ready to finally admit why that little show pissed you off so much?” Paul teases. Fuckers.

“There’s nothing to admit. Seeing his hands all over a girl I’m interested in pissed me off. Simple as that,” I state. They both glare at me, neither of them buying the line of bullshit I just tried to sell. How could they when I don’t believe it myself?

“You are the densest motherfucker I have ever known,” Kyle barks as he fists his hair in frustration. “Why can’t you just admit you’re in love with this girl?” He throws his hands up, surrendering.

“What if she doesn’t love me? What if my history is too much for her to see past?” I question. I look at the floor, embarrassed to be sounding like such a fucking pussy. Paul stands next to me and places his hand on my shoulder.

“We know it’s scary. If you truly love her, you need to tell her. Take the risk. I promise it’s worth it.” Paul says sounding serious. I don’t know if I can do this.