Wreck Me (Nova #4)(81)
Author: Jessica Sorensen

“I know and I’m sorry.” His neck muscles work as he forces a lump down in his throat. “I just needed to text you so I would go through with it… So, please, will you let me drive us?”

I surrender, throwing my hands up in the air. “Fine, let me go back and talk to Benny real quick, and then we can hit the road. Charissa’s been texting me like crazy, wondering when we’re headed out there. She’ll probably only stop when I say we’re on our way.”

“Okay, see you in a few,” he offers me a tired smile before turning on his heels. But he spins back around and shovels a handful of peanuts from the bowl. “And, Avery, good luck.” His lips tug to a smile then he stuffs the peanuts in his mouth.

“Thanks,” I say with an uneven breath. “I’m going to need it.”

Once he’s out of the bar, I tell Tammy, the other bartender working today, that I’m getting ready to leave. Then I collect my purse, trudge upstairs, and rap on Benny’s office door. I’m super nervous to the point where I worry I’m going to have to use my purse for a barf bag. Before I can empty my stomach, though, Benny calls me in.

I square my shoulders before I enter. “Hey,” I greet him with a confident smile, even though I’m a bundle of nerves.

He peers up from the stack of folders and ruffled stack of papers in front of him, a smile curving at his lips. “Hey, Avery. I thought you were leaving for your birthday thing.”

“I am.” I grip the handle of my purse as I make my way past the metal filing cabinet and to the desk. “But I need to talk to you about something first.”

“Of course.” He scoots the folders aside and signals for me to have a seat, so I plop my ass down on the leather chair in front of his desk. “You can talk to me about anything.”

“I hope that’s true.” I cough to clear my throat. “I’ll just get straight to the point. I think I should start being paid for doing the extra accounting stuff and payroll I’ve been doing for the last couple of months.”

Apparently, when he meant I could talk to him about anything, he meant anything but a raise, because his kind expression promptly turns unfriendly. “I don’t think that’s possible. The bar’s really struggling.”

“Well, considering I keep track of your profits, I know that’s not true,” I tell him, irked that he’s flat out lying to me.

“Yeah, but I’ve got loans to pay off and a lot of debt, and a raise just isn’t possible.” He reclines in the chair and puts his hands behind his head. “Now, what you could do is dance a little bit more. That always brings in a lot of cash flow for me.”

“I don’t want to do that.” My tone is clipped. “I don’t even like doing it three times a week.”

“And I find that strange. It didn’t seem to bother you until recently, and it’s got me wondering why. What’s changed that you care so much about simply dancing on a counter? Or why you’re suddenly up here asking for more money when you never have before?”

“Nothing’s changed… I just feel like I should be paid for the work I do. And I’ve always hated dancing.”

He lowers his hands and sits up in the chair. “You know what I think? I think that all of this might stem from a new guy in your life.”

I give him a blank stare. “This isn’t about Tristan. He doesn’t even care what I do.” It’s a lie, but Benny doesn’t know that.

“I doubt that,” he replies, annoyed. “I’ve seen the way he looks at you.”

“I don’t want to have this conversation with you. I just came up here to ask if I could have a raise.”

“Well, if that’s all you want, then the answer is no,” he says tersely. “I’m sorry. I really wish I could, but it’s out of my hands right now. But perhaps in a few months or so.”

“Okay, then.” I rise from the chair, wanting to say more, put him in his place, but that would be risking mine and Tristan’s jobs so, I keep my mouth zipped.

“Avery.”

My muscles ravel into tight knots as I twist back around to face him. “Yes?”

As he stands from his chair and crosses the room in calculated strides, I suddenly feel like a cornered cat. Images of fire flash vividly through my mind.

“I know you’re under a lot of stress over money and Conner being out of jail.” He halts in front of me and gives my shoulder a squeeze. “I’m here for you. Whether it’s to talk or not.” He glances at my lips and then he dares a peek at my cleavage before his gaze skates back up to my face again. “I could help take care of you, you know. In fact, I’d love to.”

I’m not sure what he’s implying or how exactly he’ll take care of me, but I don’t give a shit. I just want to get out of this damn office so I can breathe again because the walls are closing in, melting away.

Everything was on fire, including me, and I deserved to burn.

“Thanks,” I say, thankful my voice is steady. Then I reach behind my back and fumble for the doorknob. “I have to go. I have that party to go to.”

He doesn’t move away, so I have to squeeze past him to leave. Once I’m out the door, I practically sprint down the stairs, customers gawking at me as I run across the bar toward the front door. Outside, I hunch over and inhale the fresh evening air as tears gush from my eyes.

“God fucking dammit,” I curse as I sniffle back the tears.

“Avery, what’s wrong?” Tristan asks from somewhere close by.

I stiffen. I should have had my meltdown somewhere where he couldn’t see me. “It’s nothing.” I hurry and rub the tears away with my hand then stand upright.

Tristan’s walking across the parking lot, past the parked cars and trucks with his eyes tuned on me. He’s changed into a grey T-shirt and black board shorts with a stripe down the side.

“What did he say to you?”

“It doesn’t matter.” I shake my shoulders out. Shake it off, Avery. Shake it off. “Let’s just go to the party.”

When he nears me, his gaze deliberately scrolls up my body as if he’s checking for visible injuries. “Did he touch you?”

“What!” I cry. “God, no, it wasn’t anything like that. I mean, he put a hand on my shoulder, but—”

“I’m going to punch him in the face,” Tristan growls, scaring the bejesus out of me. Then he strides past me for the entrance door of The Vibe.