Falling (Fading Series) by E.K. Blair Read Free Book Online Page A

and warns, “Watch out for this dipshit, and don’t let him hook you up with anyone. His matchmaking skills suck balls.”
    “Find your own ass, Gav. I’m not your fuckin’ hookup,” I let him know because I’m not into his game tonight.
    “Not anymore. What the hell has happened to you lately?”
    “Nothing. Just sick of wasting my time.”
    I take a swig of my beer while Gavin tells Jase that I’ve been acting like a pussy, so I clip him and say, “Don’t waste your time buddying up with Jase.”
    “Sad. I guess it’s just me trying to get laid, huh?”
    “Sorry. Looks like it,” Jase tells him, laughing.
    “Are these the same guys that played here last week?” Gavin questions.
    “Yeah, they’re gonna be playing here every Saturday now. They just signed a contract earlier.”
    “They looking for a label?”
    “Ask this guy. I have no clue,” I say as I tip the neck of my bottle towards Jase.
    “You know them?” he asks Jase.
    “Yeah, but I dunno,” Jase responds. “I only know Mark and just met the drummer.”
    “This is Mark’s guy,” I tell Gavin.
    He gives me a nod then says to Jase, “Yeah, I met Mark the other day. Cool guy.”
    I turn away from them and spot annoyance. Gina. She’s here. I don’t even say anything when I walk away and head toward her to see why she’s here. She texted me the other day, but I ignored it. So seeing her here, when she knows this is my bar, winds me up a bit.
    Weaving through all the people, I see her turn and spot me. Her smile grows along with my irritation.
    “Hey, you,” she says as she slides herself up next to me.
    “What are you doing here, Gina?”
    “Just wanted to see what you were up to,” she flirts as she runs her hand down my stomach, straight towards my pants.
    I grab her wrist and stop her, snapping, “If I were up to anything that had to do with you, you would know about it. You being here is just desperate.” I suddenly feel like crap for my harsh words. But part of me, the big part of me that used to use people like I used her, pangs with regret.
    She doesn’t respond, and I know I just humiliated her, so I let go of her wrist and say, “Look, I’m sorry. I’m a dick, I know. But I need you to leave,” before walking away and back to the bar.
    “What the hell is up with you? That chick was all over your nuts,” Gavin says when I approach, knowing damn well who Gina is.
    Ignoring him, I lean over the bar and holler, “Mel, I’ll be up in my office. I’ll come down later, okay?”
    “Yeah, no problem, Ry,” she says as she’s mixing a drink.
    Gavin catches my arm and questions, “Dude, seriously? What the hell is going on with you?”
    Jerking out of his grip, I tell him, “Not in the mood.”
    “You haven’t been for a couple weeks.”
    “You wouldn’t get it, man,” I exhaust and then walk up to my office.
    Shutting the door behind me, I flop down in the chair, and close my eyes.
    “You’re the one that called 911, correct?”
    “Where are they taking her?”
    “You know her?”
    “Is she gonna be okay?”
    “Take your time. It’s important that we get a detailed account of everything that occurred. Everything you saw.”
    My eyes pop open, wanting to escape the scene that keeps creeping in. The rouse of my stomach weighs heavy when realization hits. My actions, though acted out on a totally different scope, are the same as that fucker who raped that girl. We both used someone to satisfy some twisted piece of our self with completely selfish intent. I’ve used so many people just to numb the ache I feel. Fuck.
    I wonder how many girls I’ve hurt. I know of one for sure. She’s downstairs, and I just made it worse after throwing my words at her. What’s wrong with me?
    I’m restless. It doesn’t matter where I am, it follows me. But I need to move, so I head back down, not knowing what else to do with myself. Mel can see right through me, telling me to go home. I say a few quick words to Jase and