***Chapter Twenty-Seven***
6 came rather fast, and we were off to the bar. Juliana tagged along tonight, completing our group dynamic. It bugged me though, because this time on the drive there, she sat on Drew’s lap. Normally, that wouldn’t bother me, but today it did. My feelings have been unlocked fully, and it didn’t help that they were practically making out right next to me. It’s like Drew was doing this on purpose or something. Was he trying to get under my skin? Because if he was, it worked like a charm.
We got to the bar and went in the same way we did last time. I wanted to dance my heart out since I did little of anything last time, but I sat at the bar fuming. My eyes couldn’t stop looking at Drew with Juliana. It’s almost as if he were taunting me. Shoving their relationship down my throat. I’d be ok if Keegan was here, but he wasn’t anywhere to be found either. Not that he knew we were coming, anyway. My mind was screaming for me to go over to them and break up whatever it was they had going on. I resisted, though. Drew wasn’t my boyfriend. I couldn’t be jealous. Could I?
Walking over to me, Cam saw how much I was fuming. My leg shook violently as I sat with my arms crossed. It wasn’t a pretty sight for anyone to see. I’m sure I looked ridiculous.
“Anna, relax for a minute.” He tried to calm me.
Sighing, I dropped my arms to look at him. “I’m trying. I shouldn’t be acting like this. It’s not like he promised me anything.” I shrug, still fuming on the inside.
Cameron looked up with a smile spreading across his face. “Uh-oh, I think you’ll be happy to see a certain someone walking over.” He points.
My eyes follow his finger to see a smiling Keegan walking over to us. That didn’t make me happy and instead more paranoid than before. I couldn’t tell him about the kiss, either. He would be a good distraction. Something I desperately needed at the moment. We wouldn’t do anything crazy, but seeing him was just the thing I needed to relax. It’s better than watching Drew fawn all over Juliana like some kind of wild animal, that’s for sure.
I look at Cam, not confident about this. “What about the kiss?” I wonder.
“Just relax and have fun with Keegan. You deserve it,” he said before walking away.
Keegan made it over to me with this gentle smile on his face. That face warmed me up a little. I haven’t seen him in a few days. Coming to the bar seemed like the most practical thing to do if I wanted to see his face more frequently. It is his place of work and he never seemed to mind when I came here. Besides, I should refocus on forgetting Drew. He’s clearly forgotten about me after an amazing kiss.
Standing up, I embrace Keegan tightly as he does the same to me. Usually, I’d melt at how big and strong he was, but today it was nothing. I felt nothing, and I didn’t want to admit that to myself. It’ll only give Drew more power than he needed. Which, if I’m being honest, he already had all the power. My goal was to try not to think about it. Keegan was here. I need to give him my undivided attention.
“I know that rainbow colored hair anywhere,” he smirks at me.
Smiling, I wave to him. “Hey Keegan,” I say dryly.
He looked at me with a worried expression. “What’s wrong? Did someone mess with you? I’ll kill ‘em.”
Laughing, I shake my head, thankful for his concern. “No, no, just life, ya know?” I couldn’t tell him about the kiss.
He understood, not asking any further questions. “Here, follow me.” Is all he says.
I didn’t know where he wanted to go, but I took his hand, anyway. Cutting through the crowd of people, he took me through this door with a bunch of stairs. The light kept flickering on and off, which scared me as well. Keegan reassured me it was okay, though. I didn’t take any chances, latching onto him as we climb to reach another door. Still confused, I waited for him to open it and smiled at the view.
Apparently, he took me to the top of the bar on the roof. You could see the whole county from here and it looked beautiful. This sense of calmness washed over me as the wind blew against my cheeks. It almost made me forget about whatever was going on with Drew. Almost, but it was nice to relax for a minute. Cameron told me too, and he was right.
Keegan stood beside me, taking in the view as well. “Isn’t it gorgeous?” He says. “I like to come up here on my breaks and just stare.”
I look at him to agree. “It’s beautiful. It definitely calmed me down.” I look back over.
“Are you ok?” He asks me softly.
Whatever that kiss did to me brought up a new side of myself. I walk over to Keegan and wrap my arms around him. His hands don’t waste a second to grab at the middle of my back, pulling me closer to him. It’s not the first time we’ve been so close to one another, but this time it felt different. It felt different because, once again, I felt nothing. Nothing, but I didn’t let it stop me from staying here like this. Comfort was something my body could use.
Looking up at him, I give him a small smile. “I’m ok now that I saw your face.” I’m so cheesy.
That made him chuckle, though. “Now you’re just teasing me,” he pulls me closer. “Are we still on for that date I want to take you on?”
I giggle. “Of course we are. I wouldn’t miss it for the world.”
We did not know when that would happen, but I’m still going to go. If Drew was now going to brush me off, there wasn’t anything stopping me from seeing Keegan. Drew said he wasn’t a nice guy, but I’m thinking that was a lie. Besides, he’s suddenly so close to Juliana now. There was nothing more for him to worry about. He was going to do his thing and I’ll do mine.
We stayed up on the roof for a few more minutes before heading back down. I dragged Keegan to the dance floor with me and was impressed with some of his moves. It even shocked me he wanted to dance. Most guys would be like that’s not my thing, but not Keegan. He gladly came onto the floor with me and we had a good time. It was just what I needed to relax.
After dancing, Keegan came over to the pool table with me to teach me how to shoot pool. Everyone joined in, including Drew, while Keegan taught me how. Now, this is where Drew confused me. One minute he’s ignoring me, the next he’s giving Keegan a death glare. All because he had his arms around me as he showed me proper alignment. We hit the ball in together and I couldn’t help but hug him tightly.
“Keegan, you’re the best! I can play pool now,” I bragged as he laughed with me.
He noticed Drew’s gaze as Drew looked away the minute Keegan spotted him. “You know something,” he spoke. “I have a feeling that guy doesn’t like you and me being close.”
I looked at him, confused. “Who Drew? I don’t know, he’s always scowling.” For the most part.
He chuckled. “He used to be cool with me, but ever since I started talking to you, he’s…cold.” Keegan informed.
That was news to me. “You guys were cool?” From the way Drew spoke, it didn’t seem like it.
He nods. “I mean, not best friends, but he never looked at me like he wanted to rip my guts out.”
I didn’t want to say anything, but it’s true what he says. Drew has a knack for looking at people. People that are guys who I talk to in a strange way. He did it with Cameron when they first met until he realized Cameron wasn’t into me. Now he’s doing with Keegan and repeatedly tries to tell me he’s not a good guy. Whatever his issue was, he needed to figure it out. He can’t possibly be jealous of Keegan whilst still entertaining Juliana. If he had feelings, he needed to speak up. God knows I want to.
Disregarding it, I continue to play pool poorly with Keegan, and until everyone wants to leave. We were still going to go on our date at some point, but tonight was fun with him. The car ride, not so much. It was awkward as I sat between Cameron and Drew, with Juliana on his lap. She had fallen asleep, so there wasn’t any mushy stuff this time, but I could feel the tension rising between us. Neither of us wanted to speak or even look in the others direction. We were both being stubborn, and it was going to get us nowhere.
Why did we even have to kiss?
***
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