Part 6 (1/2)

”Great. They have awesome burgers.” I dig in my pocket for my wallet, but she shakes her head.

”I got this one.” Her lips curl just barely.

Not wanting to p.i.s.s her off, I don't argue her paying, knowing I can take care of it before she gets to the bar. ”Thanks.” There's a lull and silence between us. For the first time, her presence makes me uncomfortable. She's finding out too much about me, and I'm thinking I need to shut the gate before I lay it all out for her. ”Don't forget, garage four. If you need me, call, okay?”

She nods. ”Don't worry, I'm not afraid to ask where Wild Card is,” she jokes, lightening the mood between us. ”You'll have to tell me how you got that name.” She begins to leave.

”Would you rather I show you?” I call out to her and she flips around, walking backward.

”Maybe.” She shrugs her shoulders and my hand covers my heart when she circles back around again. I swear the girl knows exactly how to handle me. Just like Carly. My heart pinches and I step forward.

BY THE TIME I'm out of Rob's view, I can barely breathe. I place my hands on the fence, taking deep breaths in and out. The situation was intense and more than some rivalry on who can be best in a d.a.m.n drag race. There was an underlying hurt between the three of them and I'm positive it has something to do with whatever haunts Rob every day.

The bar is crowded by the time I make my way there. Standing in line, I wait patiently, acting as though I don't notice the stares and hushed voices. I just want to crawl into a hole and disappear, but that's not an option so I act as though I'm holding up just fine. As if I know what everyone else does around here, even if I'm in the corner of a very dark room, facing the wall.

”Hey, are you Wild Card's girlfriend?” A pet.i.te blonde comes up to me and she can't be more than eighteen.

”No.” She's barely clothed with her half s.h.i.+rt and shorts that don't cover her a.s.s. Please don't tell me this young girl has some sort of past with Rob. I'll lose all respect for him.

A wide smile encompa.s.ses her face and a bubble pops out of her mouth. Snap. ”Great. So you don't mind?”

”Like I said, I'm not his girlfriend.” I interrupt her, hoping she leaves me alone. My eyes catch the guy and girl Rob just had the run in with. The girl stares over at me and I turn my head. There's more than just them, a whole group of them surround three tables. Girls and guys chatting and laughing except for the girl. A leggy brunette sits in the guy's lap and he tips his beer to his lips almost lost in thought.

I dodge to the side to know how many more people are in front of me. Two. Doable for me to grab the burgers and get the h.e.l.l out of this bar. After a little ignoring the girl goes away, probably in search of Rob. He's not mine; I can't claim him. I just hope he has higher standards than jail bait.

Finally, I reach the front of the line and a girl takes my order. Then she c.o.c.ks her head at the order again.

”Cheeseburger with extra cheese, add jalapeos, no lettuce?”

I double-check the order with the text Rob sent me. ”Yeah that's it.” She waves her hand in front of me in recognition of the order.

”For Rob? Wild Card?” Jesus, does anyone in this place not know who he is?

”Yeah.” She smiles, pus.h.i.+ng my hand full of money back from the counter.

”He texted Deb and told her he'd come by and pay for it.” She points down and I follow her finger to a middle-aged woman chatting with Dan.

”Please let me pay for it.” I inch forward across the edge, but her head shakes.

”Nope. Deb was clear and we don't cross Deb.” She cringes as though I should just let it go and continue on my way.

Dan lifts his hand and waves over to me, and Deb glances to find who grabbed his attention. She smiles and they whisper back and forth to each other. Deb does a second peek at me, her smile a little wider as she nods her head at whatever Dan is whispering to her.

”Are they married?” I ask the girl after she finishes announcing my order over the microphone.

”Yep.” The girl peers over my shoulder at the long line.

”Oh, sorry.” I stuff my money back in my purse, grab my number and slide to the side.

”Good luck with Rob, he's a sweetheart,” she says and I tilt my head.

”Are we talking about the same guy?” I joke and she laughs. Seriously, I was wondering if she was being sarcastic, but I'm not going to bother her with such a long line.

I lean against the wall of the bar, waiting for my number to be called. It's a cool place and their music choice is spot on. Maybe my dad would enjoy coming here, especially since they play his band along with most of his friends. Before I realize it, I'm singing the lyrics to myself and not paying attention to my surroundings.

”Hi.” The cute redhead from outside stands in front of me.

”Hi.” My eyes veer anywhere but at her.

”I'm Nora. Nora McConnell.” She twists her fingers, weaving them in and out with each other.

”I'm Paige Kensington.” I smile and she studies me for an uncomfortable second.

”I'm Carly McConnell's sister.” My shoulders slump and this girl believes I should know who she's talking about.

”I don't know a Carly. Is she here?” The girl steps back and her eyebrows furrow.

”No. You're Robbie's girlfriend, right?” she clarifies and I wish she'd be more forthcoming in exactly what she wants from me.

”I'm his roommate.”

”Oh, I may have s.p.a.ced out when I saw you. It's weird seeing him with someone else.” Her words shock me because you'd think maybe she was an ex, but she's too young. At least I hope so. She peers back to her table of friends and then back to me. ”Do you mind meeting me outside after you get your food?” I narrow my eyes at her because I'm slightly terrified she has a secret plan to kill me. d.a.m.n that crime show spree I've been on recently. Makes my mind go crazy.

”Sure,” I agree. I desperately want more information about Rob and I'm pretty sure this girl's got the info.

”I'll be watching you.” Creepy as all h.e.l.l, but she walks away. Back to the table. When she sits down, no one even notices she was gone, or acknowledges her existence.

Five minutes later, they call my number and the girl behind the counter hands the bag over to me. She leans over the counter and lowers her voice. ”Tell Rob, he's got this.” She winks and I'm wondering how much she knows of Rob. Then again, there's no jealousy regarding me bringing him food.

”I will.” I hold up the bag in the air. ”Thank you.”

When I step away, my eyes automatically flick to the three tables in the back and I find Nora's seat empty. Why is this some incognito secret mission to talk to me? I'm not even a step out of the bar and I spot her on the side. I follow her down a dark narrow path between two buildings. Not exactly my smartest move now that I think of it. What am I going to do, suffocate her with a hamburger if she attacks me?

She stops at the end, sidestepping so we are desolate from everyone else. My phone dings again, a text from Rob asking where the food is. Hurriedly, I hammer one back to tell him it should be done in about ten.

”Nora, why exactly are you leading me away from everyone?” I try to remain in the sights of anyone walking by so if she does come after me, at least I'm not lying somewhere no one can find me.

”How is Robbie?” Seriously? Is she trying to find out if he's available?

”Ask him yourself. I'm done with this detective s.h.i.+t.” I begin to flee and she grabs my arm. Spinning around, I get angry. ”Why do you want to speak to me?” My voice is cold and stern so she knows I'm done with this game playing.

”I told you, I'm Nora McConnell, Carly's sister.” She sounds like a scratched CD.

”I don't know who Carly is. Do you want to enlighten me?” I cross my arms over my chest and the girl's face drops.

”He never told you?” Her shoulders slump and she kicks the gravel down with her shoe.

”Who? Rob? I told you, I'm his roommate.” I'm hoping this clueless act I'm portraying profits me with more information.

”I know, but you seem close. I mean the way he took your hand. I a.s.sume when you said roommate, you meant more.”