Strut the Mall (Love at Westbrook Mall #4)

35. Pay for Play

35

Pay for Play

Tonight was supposed to be fabulous, the next step to a love confession. I wasn’t going to let my ex derail that.

I stabbed the darts into the board so I wasn’t tempted to aim them at his head.

What the hell was he doing here? He didn’t have a DJ gig. Zack made sure of it. I didn’t see a date, and I seriously doubted he was here to drink our breakup blues away.

He scanned the bar, spotting me. He dipped his shoulder and swiped a hand through his stiff hair to peek at me.

I clenched my jaw. That asshole was posing. The smooth guy with a six-pack act wasn’t going to work on me now. I shook my head and followed Shelby and Harvey to our table.

No more posting my location in real time. That was sloppy on my part.

“Hey, wait up.” Theo called, his shoes squeaking as he hurried across the bar.

Couldn’t he take a hint?

“Go ahead. Ignore him,” I told my friends.

They exchanged an uneasy look and glanced behind us, probably at the exit. Maybe we could get those pretzels to go.

Theo trotted to a stop behind me. “What, you’ll talk to Anon3000 but not me?”

I gasped and whipped around. “Theo…” My bones hurt as if he’d tightened a corset down to my core.

Zack was right there, six feet away and walking closer. My kinda fake boyfriend, my ex, and I exchanged charged glances. Theo was selfish, but hopefully, he wouldn’t out my side gig—at least not before I could explain it to Zack in private.

I stepped between them. “Please, we don’t need to do this.”

No one had to fight or pretend. Once I had a few minutes alone with Zack, I could explain what I did for cash, Theo could find a new sugar mama girlfriend, and we could all go live our dreams of making an honest go at happiness.

My ex shrugged defensively. “You’re the one who can’t let me go.”

I laughed sharply. “I’m sorry, what?”

“Walking around in front of my store, posting with your new guy in my bar.”

“It’s not your bar. He worked here.” I gestured to the bouncers.

“The only reason you know this bar is because of me. My gig.” He sighed and sidled up to me for some semblance of privacy. “Listen, if you want my attention, you’ve got it. Just let me know when you’re done punishing me and playing with him.” He eyed Zack.

My fake boyfriend hesitated upon his approach, silently asking if I wanted him to step in. An invisible corset tightened on my ribs. This wasn’t a game. But we were fooling his family, and hell, maybe ourselves into thinking we had a future together.

The sad thing was, my arrangement with Zack was more fulfilling than any relationship I’d been in, platonic or romantic. It was more sincere than the drama-filled declarations on reality shows, more beautiful than every couple's selfie I used to swipe through on socials. Somehow, in a few weeks, he’d become my best friend. I could rely on him, laugh with him, and love him without the fear he’d run off the minute he saw me without makeup. Although maybe he wouldn't be as steady if he knew what I did with my feet.

“Zack’s a good man,” I said, raising my chin. Even if I wasn’t the ‘best’ woman by some standards.

Theo scoffed. “You talk to lots of good men. I’m the only one you fell in love with.”

Of course I thought I loved him; he was my first real relationship. But my soulmate wasn’t going to be some self-absorbed, disrespectful user.

“I was young. I still am. But I’m a little wiser when it comes to who I spend my time with.” I crossed my arms. “You betrayed my trust. I found someone else. It’s done.”

“Come on. He’s nowhere near your standards. Look at his haircut,” Theo said.

Zack tensed when we glanced at him in unison.

My standards weren’t based on stupid stuff like haircuts. I loved that he was a little rough around the edges.

“He’s hot. He’s fit. And he makes me laugh. I like who I am when I’m with him.” I smiled at Zack, then glared at my ex. ”But even if something happened, and he left, you and I are never getting back together. I’m not playing hard-to-get. That’s it.”

I turned to walk away, but he grabbed my arm. “Nicole—”

Zack gripped the front of his shirt and yanked him away. “Don’t touch my girlfriend.”

My breath hitched. “Zack…”

Theo scowled. “I can talk to my ex. Geez, if you’re the jealous type, you really aren’t gonna last.”

“Shut the hell up,” I snapped.

Zack threw him back, then Theo lunged toward him, talking shit. I tried to keep them apart and shout some sense into him, but my ex was an idiot.

Shelby rolled up her sleeves and marched over like she intended to throw her own hands. “Stop being mean to my cousin and friend.”

Harvey reeled her in with an incredulous smile. “Hold on, sugarplum.”

Our waitress waved her notebook like a white flag. “No fighting inside. You know that, Zack.”

“It’s fine. We’re fine.” He huffed and shook out his arms like he would’ve loved to take a real swing. “You wanna go outside, man?”

“No, forget it.” Theo popped his collar and sauntered away. “Call me when you dump him.”

“Don’t hold your breath. And unfollow me, while you’re at it," I said.

He had the nerve to look stung. The nerve. After he showed up in the evidence of his betrayal. Then, he stomped off in them.

Whatever. “I hope him and those shoes will be very happy together,” I muttered, brushing the wrinkles from Zack’s shirt.

“Who was that guy?” Shelby huffed.

“My ex," I said with disdain. How had I ever been with him?

Harvey frowned and stroked Shelby’s hair. “Are you okay?”

When she looked at me, I started. Was he actually asking me?

“I’m fine, yeah. Are you okay?” I asked Zack.

“Yeah, I just need to cool off for a minute.” He wiped his face and headed for the doors.

“Wait.” I caught his wrist and his gaze. “You’re not going after him again, right?”

He frowned and shook his head. “What was he talking about, Nic? Jealousy and good men and…”

My heartbeat slowed. The bare strip of skin on my midriff seemed way too vulnerable now. He could cut me open or stitch me back together. But I had to be honest with him.

“I’ll tell you everything after this,” I whispered.

He paled. “There’s something to tell?”

Something. Yes.

I only hoped it wouldn’t cost me everything I wanted.