Maybe This Time (Maybe #1)(30)

“So beautiful,” he murmurs, pulling back onto the road.

“What was that for?” I ask, touching my lips.

“I’ve always wanted to kiss that smirk off your face,” he says, grinning.

“Well, you did just that.” Now it’s him looking smug.

He puts on some music, and a Nine Inch Nails song flares through the speakers.

“What music do you like?” he asks me.

“A bit of everything. But I mainly listen to rap music.”

“Rap?” he repeats, cringing.

“Yes, rap,” I say defensively. When he starts laughing I scowl.

“There is nothing wrong with rap music,” I tell him.

He lifts a shoulder in a shrug. “Just didn’t see you as a rap kinda girl.”

“What kinda girl am I?”

“Mine,” he says, smiling. I stare at his profile for a moment, a feeling of contentment taking over me. This moody, amazing, sexy, sweet man is all mine.

“Does that caveman shit work on other women?” I ask.

“I wouldn’t know, you’re the first one I’ve ever felt possessive of,” he says.

“Hmm.”

“What are you thinking about?” he asks, turning his head to me.

“You.”

“What about me?” he asks.

“Are you ever going to tell me how you got the scar?” I decide to ask.

Reid is silent for a few minutes before answering. “I’ll tell you when I’m ready, okay?”

“Okay.” I smile when he takes my hand into one of his, threading our fingers together. I know this is him telling me, although he may need time, he isn’t going to shut me out, and I appreciate it.

When we arrive at the bar, I find that it’s actually pretty busy. Poor Ryan.

“Maybe you should hire someone else?” I tell Reid, eyeing all the cars parked out front.

“Yeah, I had a few people apply,” he says, opening the door for me to enter.

“What about Xander or Dash?” I ask.

“Dash is a full time mechanic, I don’t think he would wanna work at the bar. I can ask Xander,” he says. We walk up to the bar, and I offer Ryan an apologetic smile. Reid was meant to work tonight, but insisted on taking me out to dinner, and Ryan said it was no problem. I tie my hair up in a ponytail, and wash my hands before starting to serve the few customers still waiting. Reid heads into the back, needing to stock up on a few things.

“How was dinner?” Ryan asks in between customers.

I make a vodka sunrise as I answer. “It was good!”

“Didn’t even bring any back for me,” he sulks.

“You guys should start serving food here. Like chips, battered prawns and club sandwiches,” I tell him, hoping for this outcome on one or more occasions.

Ryan chuckles. “We should, shouldn’t we? I’m sure if you ask Reid he might.”

Speaking of the devil, Reid walks out of the office, holding a stack of bottles and putting them in the fridge. When he bends over I get a nice view of his ass, which I happily ogle. I sigh in admiration, until Ryan nudges me, and gestures to a waiting customer.

“What can I get you?” I ask the woman. She has red hair, and bright pink lipstick on, most of it smudged onto her chin. Classy.

“Nothing here I haven’t had before, sweetheart,” she purrs, her eyes on Reid’s ass.

“I’m sure there’s no one you haven’t had, now get your eyes off my man’s ass,” I tell her calmly, facing her head on.

Her eyes widen in surprise, and then narrow. “Never knew he liked them so young.”

“Yeah, I guess his taste has improved,” I mutter. She laughs, more like a cackle, and I’m about to tell her to fly off on her broom when my brother walks in.

“Xander, what happened?” I ask, running over to him. He's definitely been in a fight. His knuckles are bloody and battered, and his lip is cut and swollen.

He shrugs, playing off my concern. “Don’t worry about it, sis, just a small incident.” Reid walks over and tells Xander to go into the office.

“Reid…”

“Stay here, beauty, let me talk to him,” he says softly, looking concerned. Ryan gently takes my arm and leads me back behind the bar. I see him do a double take when he takes in the face of the girl I was about to serve before.

“What the f*ck are you doing here?” he growls at her, his face contorting in anger.

She puts her hands up in submission. “I’m just here for a drink.”

“You’re never just here for a drink,” Ryan says, calming down.

“You think he was gonna take me back after what happened?” she asks dryly.

“No, I guess not,” Ryan says, reluctance in his tone. He pours her a drink anyway, and doesn’t say another word to her.

“I still care about him, Ryan,” she says, her eyes softening. She wait for Ryan to respond, but after he gives her nothing, she turns her back on us and leaves.

“What was that about?” I ask him, pissed that I’m left in the dark again. When he doesn’t reply I storm to the office. Just as I pull the door open, Xander walks out, bumping into me.

“You okay?” I ask gently, lifting my hand to touch his face.