When I'm With You (Little Hollow Series, #2)(11)

I rest my elbows on the counter and hang my head in my hands with a sigh. This morning has spooked me more than I thought. I just want to stay holed up in the apartment and never come out, but I’ll be safe in a room full of people, surely?

I jump and nearly pee my pants when the buzzer goes off, signaling someone is downstairs. I tense up and tiptoe over to the small window facing the front of the salon and breathe in a sigh of relief seeing it’s just Sam’s mom, Cindy.

I run down the apartment stairs and unlock the salon door, giving her a quick smile and invite her in. “Sam’s just in the shower, can I get you a drink?”

I tense, hoping she won’t ask for an alcoholic drink, I can’t be bothered arguing over the fact that I won’t ever feed her addiction, but looking at her now, I notice she looks sober. Well that’s unexpected.

Sam’s mom is an alcoholic and she likes to turn up from time to time to remind Sam what a shitty daughter she is, so I’m not holding my breath that this time will be any different.

She shakes her head, sending her red locks flying from side to side, and sits down on the edge of the sofa. I don’t know what to do with myself so I sit in the armchair and give her another quick smile, wishing Sam would hurry her ass up.

I sigh in relief as the shower turns off and a minute later, she comes walking out, her face turning neutral as she takes in her guest.

“To what do I owe the pleasure.”

“Well, it was good to see you again, Cindy, I’ll leave you two to it, I should go get myself ready.” I get up and give Sam a wide eyed look as I walk past her into the bathroom.

I turn on the shower but don’t get in, I know it’s sneaky but I press my ear up against the door. I can only really hear muffled bits of conversation. Something about a job and computers? It’s about time she sorted herself out and got herself a job.

I strain my ears as I hear Cindy’s voice rise, but I can’t hear anything more than mumbles.

It stops and I furrow my brow. What’s happening out there?

“You can go in the shower now, Keeley,” Sam shouts through.

I bang my knee on the corner of the wall as I jump back. “Fuckin’ wall! Ouch”

I rub my knee before pulling on my sexy shower cap so I don’t have to get my hair wet.

I dry off and put on my outfit after moisturizing my whole body, and spraying on some perfume. I still feel a little uneasy. I don’t want to go really, but I can’t deny that it’ll feel good to put on a little makeup and let my hair down for a beer or two with my best friend.

After loosely curling my hair and adding a blood red lipstick to my lips, I stand back and admire myself in the mirror. I’m not vain at all but I sure know how to rock the shit out of a pair of cut offs and combat boots.

I help Sam with her hair and I admire how good she looks a little dressed up. The thought that we both need this rolls through me as I grab my purse, and we head on out to the fundraiser.

“Fancy walking down? It’s a nice night,” she asks.

I tense up and try to not make a big deal out of the fact that I don’t want to be out walking when it’s getting dark. I’ve felt uneasy since Sam’s run in with a biker this morning and I can’t stop staring into the shadows, my heart rate picking up as the minutes tick by.

We make it to the community hall after what seems like ten long minutes, and I walk on in after Sam. Everyone is already halfway to being drunk, and it makes the journey to the bar that little bit longer.

“Samantha? Excuse me please, Samantha?” I cringe at Nora’s voice, she sounds like she’s going to tell us off like children so I don’t turn around to face her when Sam does. She continues telling us that her busy body friends wanted to say thanks for doing the decorating. Like we had a choice.

I stick my hand in the air and wave it toward the barman, ordering two much needed beers. We grab them and Sam leads us to a table in the corner, completely brushing Nora off as we do.

The table is in the perfect place to people watch, and we do just that. We laugh at how drunk everybody is but in the back of my mind, I can’t shake the feeling of being watched again, I’m driving myself crazy. I hate country music but when a certain song comes on, Sam starts tapping her fingers against her beer bottle and mouthing the words.

I roll my eyes and pull her up to dance. We soon get into a rhythm and get a little carried away, swinging each other around by our elbows. I’m about to suggest we go get another drink when I spot Lewis behind Sam, my eyes nearly bulge out of my head and I feel myself blush. I’m glad he’ll just chalk it up to the dancing.

“Mind if I cut in?” He asks Sam.

She looks at me before bowing and heading toward the bar, leaving us alone. He pulls me toward him by my hand and wraps an arm around my waist and I freeze, staring daggers at Sam, wishing for her to turn around and get me out of this situation with him.

“Hey,” he says, his breath fanning across my neck.

I look up at him. “Hey, I didn’t realize you were going to be here,” I say, acting indifferent, because I realize I mainly am.

I think I’ve finally decided that although he’s hot and extremely nice, he just doesn’t make me feel hot under the covers like he should.

He pulls away from me slightly. “Have you seen Connor yet?” I tense up, shit! I’d forgotten all about him coming here. I shake my head as I look around. “I hope you know what you’re doing, that girl deserves to be happy.”