The Loss (Heartache series #1) by Vicki Green Read Free Book Online Page B

hour. Well, I’ve been talking. Rambling really. By now, we’ve finished our food and are on our fourth beers. She seems more relaxed, more her, but I still have the feeling she’s hiding something.
    “That’s great, Jase.” She leans in a little so I follow until our faces are only a few inches away from each other’s. “Do you still have nightmares about…. About the accident?” She whispers.
    I hesitate, her unique scent filling the air around us, the beautiful flawless skin on her face and those green eyes that have haunted me for so long. “You cut your hair,” I blurt. What the fuck? I can’t seem to hold a decent conversation with her without saying something stupid or weird. A small laugh escapes her full lips, and she leans back into her seat, so I do the same. Subconsciously, she reaches up and takes a lock, twirling it with her fingers. “It’s a lot wavier but still the same blonde I remember.” Her fingers still wrapped in her hair, and her smile lowers.
    “I have changed, Jase, some. But deep down I’m still me,” she says quietly.
    “Cryptic much?” Her smile is back but not fully.
    “I think we’ve all changed in the last five years. It’ll be interesting at the reunion. I’m glad we got a chance to talk before then.” She untangles her fingers from her hair, and I watch as she reaches for her glass, bringing it up to her lips. My cock twitches when they form over the rim, and I swallow along with her as her throat constricts.
    “What about you? I’ve done all the talking. A lot,” I chuckle. “I hear you’ve gone far with your graphic design. I’m so proud of you. You did what you set out to do, followed your dream.” Her beautiful smile appears as she sets her glass down.
    “Oh! Yes. It’s been great. Not gonna lie, it was a lot of work but Bill….” My eyes widen with the name. Feelings of jealousy rage inside me but I have no right to feel this way. “Well, I had a lot of help.” She looks down and takes another drink of her beer.
    “Maybe but….” She looks back up and straight into my eyes. “Something tells me you worked hard, getting your degree in college. You have amazing talent, Al, always have. That’s something that you should be proud of. YOU did that.” Her smile is back full fledge now, and I’m feeling pretty good with that save.
    “How is your mom? I haven’t had a chance to scour the neighborhood yet,” she laughs.
    The neighborhood. How do I tell her I haven’t been back there since we left for college? How do I tell her what a scared fool I still am, that I can’t bear to see where the accident happened? She’ll think I’m an idiot, weak and petty. “She’s great. Dying to see you. You better get over there soon or she’ll freak.”
    She laughs and opens her mouth to speak when she gets a weird look on her face. She looks down, fumbles with something under the table and then frowns. “I have to go.” She takes out money and begins to set it on the table. Without thinking, I reach over and cover her hand with mine. The softness of her skin makes my cock twitch again.
    “I’ve got this, Al. No arguments.”
    She looks up, almost shyly, and smiles. She pulls her hand out from underneath mine in a jerk, grabs her purse and starts to get out of the booth. I follow her lead, my hand going into my pocket and counting my money then placing a wad on the table. “Let me walk you out.” I turn as she passes me, my hand instinctively moving to the small of her back, and we walk towards the front of the bar. “Hey!” Danny yells, and we both turn our heads.
    “I’m sorry, Danny. I’ll come by another time for our chat, okay?” He only winks at her and gives her a small wave. The awkwardness returns as I walk in front of her, opening the door and watch her walk out. I follow her, and we start to walk up the sidewalk towards the parking lot of my gym. We reach her car. She produces her keys and unlocks the door. Slowly, she turns around.