Bait (Wake, #1)(114)

For an acoustic band, they were a lively group. Blake spent a lot of time with Micah out on the dance floor. Grant and I met again at the bar.

“So, you’re twins, huh?” he questioned.

“Yep,” I said.

“I think Blake and I are going to start trying for some kids. She was saying a few months ago that twins would be fun.” His face was ambivalent, and a forced kind of friendly. “She loves Foster. I learned tonight that you're his Godfather. I hadn’t realized. Hell, before yesterday I thought you were a woman.” He laughed and took the shot, which I hadn’t noticed, from behind his beer glass.

“A woman, huh?” I humored him. “Why would you think that?”

“Oh, I suppose it was just a misunderstanding.” He held a one up to Nate behind the bar asking for another shot. Grant gave me a questioning look as to ask if I wanted one, too. I nodded.

Nate poured them in front of us and we half-faced each other.

“Care to make a toast, Casey?”

Before he could make the toast I said, “Here's to misunderstandings.” He huffed and then tipped the liquor back, slapping the glass on the bar with a loud pop.

I watched him walk back to their table and take a seat, another drink in hand.

When I heard the beginning of D'Yer M'ker, the first song that we’d ever danced to in the very spot she was standing, I knew it was time for my next move.

Blake's body went rigid when she realized what song was playing.

She looked like a statue in the middle of the dance floor as I led Aly into my arms and began dancing to the song with her.

She was either going to hate me or crack. The warrior I'd seen on stage a little bit ago didn't seem as strong.

Holding Aly in my arms, my feet led me to face Blake and I mouthed the word “Bait.”





Thursday, December 31, 2009


WHEN MY FEET FINALLY moved, they took me to the ladies room. I sat in the stall for minutes trying to calm my pulse and get a grip. He was only trying to get under my skin.

It was working.

I hated the thought of him dancing with her. That particular song was simply the icing on the cake.

He’d been like that all night. At every opportunity, he was talking to us, to me, to Grant.

He loves this dress.

This place.

I watched them have a shot together at the bar, right after my husband had already had three. Still, Grant hadn't said anything or gave me the impression he was angry with me. He seemed pensive, like he was working something out. I knew what he was piecing together.

I wasn't in control of the situation anymore. The only thing I could do was hang in there, like his text said last night.

Was it a warning he’d sent? I'd taken it as a show of support.

I pulled out my phone and replied to it.

Me: Are you trying to hurt me?

I washed my hands and looked at myself in the mirror. My nose really was pink. Stupid nose.

Then Aly came into the room, not paying any attention, digging through her purse. When she was all the way in the room, and heard me pulling the paper towel out of the dispenser, she stopped, an evil smile crossed her face.

It was not what I needed at that moment.

When I saw her come in with Casey earlier, I almost lost the ability to walk. I did lose the ability to talk and stopped midsentence while speaking to Micah's mom.

And there she was again.

I took a long steadying breath. The look on her face told me she was going to enjoy a conversation with me. I'd thought it best to get out of there as soon as possible.

“Leaving so soon? I was hoping to talk to you,” she said coyly and walked herself to the counter, setting her purse down, continuing her search for whatever. I was gathering up my clutch to leave when she caught my gaze in the mirror.

“Your husband seems like a very nice guy,” she said as she found and lifted her lip gloss out of her big bag. Her fingers unscrewed the lid and then her eyes found mine again. “He and Casey sure do get along. Maybe we could all go out sometime? You know, when you're in town.” She began applying the scarlet color to her pouty mouth.

“I don't think so,” I replied and then turned to head for the door.

“I don't think you think at all.” She snapped and faced me when I had almost made it around her. “Do you?” Her voice sounded saccharine sweet, but her tone was anything but.

I stated, “Not tonight, Aly. You don't know what you're talking about.”

“Oh, I know exactly what I'm talking about. Exactly, what were you thinking when decided to cheat on your boyfriend-wait-fiancé-wait-husband? What were you thinking when you came here after Casey's mother died and then just left him like you did every other time? What were you thinking when you brought your husband here?” Her voice had risen and she was just shy of yelling at me. Yelling things that I knew way-f*cking-more about than she ever would.

She had good points, but it wasn't her business no matter how much she thought it was.

I collected myself and made sure my voice was calm when I spoke, “It would do you good to stay out of it. And while we’re on the subject of why we do what we do, why do you want a man who clearly doesn't want you? Hmmm?”

Her hand collided with my cheek. The slap was hard and loud and it echoed off the marble walls. I was shocked. I always thought she was rude and manipulative, but I never thought she would be ballsy enough to hit me.