29. Lexie

Chapter 29

Lexie

O liver's words kept echoing in my mind.

I love you.

He'd said it. Not spoken around it, not hinted at it. He'd actually said the words.

But did he mean them? That was the real question.

Before the pregnancy, Oliver would show up to the Pig maybe three times a week. Now he was coming in every shift I worked. Granted, he stayed in the office most of the time and didn't bother me much, but still. I knew that he was watching out for me. I found it a little irritating, but I also found it a bit sweet.

I worked out my two weeks at the grocery store, leaving Oliver's grandmother with a teary-eyed hug. She'd taken a chance on me, and I hoped I'd proven myself useful for her, if even for a short time.

I'd been having a weird feeling lately whenever Gillian and I were headed to the Pig, like someone was following us. After Dick had showed up there, I guess I was worried that he'd do it again someday. Seeing how things had ended, I wouldn't be surprised if Dick showed up in places when I least expected it.

Gillian dropped me off, frowning at the look on my face.

"You look pale," she said. "Are you sure you're okay? Did you eat this morning?"

I winced. "I didn't have time."

Gillian opened her mouth, likely to scold me, but I held up a hand.

"I promise I'll eat at work," I told her. And I meant it. I wanted to do right by this baby, and taking care of myself was part of that.

She nodded, but she was still frowning when I shut the door and walked inside.

Krista met me inside. "Thank God you're here. The bar is full already. Tourists," she said that last part as if there were rats sitting at the bar instead of patrons.

I chuckled. "Let me grab a bite and then I'll get started."

"Of course." She looked down at my swollen belly. "Gotta keep that baby fed."

Krista smiled at me brightly and I smiled back. She'd become a friend in the months that I'd worked at the Pig.

I headed back to the kitchen and peeked around the corner at the cook, Larry.

"Larry," I called in a sing-song voice. "Could I have some bacon loaded fries?"

He looked up, slight irritation on his face until he saw who it was. He broke into an instant smile.

"Anything for you, sweetheart."

Larry and I got along great. I was always helpful in the kitchen whenever they got slammed, and I always treated him with high regard and respect.

He wasted no time cooking my food, and I hurriedly ate, not allowing the fries to cool down first. I breathed in and out quickly trying not to burn my tongue, my cheeks puffing out.

When I was about halfway finished, Raoul came back, a worried look on his face.

"Raoul, what's wrong?" I asked, rubbing my hands on my apron.

"I'm so behind," he gasped, and my shoulders slumped in relief. A part of me had been worried that Dick had shown up again. "I have like ten drinks to make and more orders are coming in?—"

I cut him off with a hand on his shoulder. "It's okay, Raoul. I'm ready. Tell me what drinks you need."

He rattled them off and I scribbled them down on my server book. "Got it. I'll make all the drinks, don't worry. You grab the orders then tell me where they go. Okay?"

He sighed. "Thank God for you, Lex." He hurried off to get the orders and I all but jogged toward the bar. Krista was behind it, pouring drinks expertly.

"I'm helping Raoul get caught up, but I'll help you next, promise," I told her. Krista nodded curtly in response. She was in the zone.

I managed to pour all of Raoul's drinks before he got back and he hugged me quickly from behind.

"You're the best, Lex. I hope you never leave."

I swallowed hard, not wanting to tell him that I was planning to get out of here as soon as possible.

I just smiled at him. "Thanks. I try."

He rushed off to deliver the drinks. Raoul and Krista had both been angels about my pregnancy, doing most of the running around and making sure I took frequent breaks to get off my feet.

Krista and I focused on the patrons sitting at the bar as Raoul worked the tables, and by the time we were finished, it was nearly two in the morning. Time had flown by, and I was absolutely exhausted, but our tips were great and that gave me a big boost.

I was cleaning the outside of the bar when the door dinged. We weren't quite closed yet, and if someone just wanted a quick drink, I'd be happy to serve them. Raoul and Krista had already left, and I was the last one in the building.

At least, I thought I was. We had been so busy all night I had no idea if Oliver was back in the office.

I turned around and my mouth dropped open in shock. Dick stood there, swaying on his feet.

"Come back to me," he slurred, and this time, there wasn't anger in his voice, only hurt.

I braced myself against the bar, my heart pounding, fear settling in. "Dick," I said softly. "You're drunk. Let me call you a cab."

I was scared, knowing his mood could change in a second, especially when he was inebriated. But I hoped I'd be able to talk him into leaving before I'd need to call the cops. I wished with all my might that Raoul and Krista were still there.

"Our anniversary is tomorrow," he said, getting closer to me. "Come home with me," he pleaded, his eyes wet.

"Dick. You can't keep doing this."

He glanced down at my stomach, his eyes showing recognition "You're pregnant. Is it mine?"

"No, Dick," I replied quickly, and he frowned, getting even closer. I kept my hands on the bar, hoping that I could sprint sideways if he got too close.

"So who have you been sleeping with then?" he demanded, but again, he didn't seem angry .

"Dick—"

"I don't care," he cut me off. "I'll raise the baby as my own. We're perfect together, Lex. We work well together. I want you back in my life. I want you back so badly."

"You don't love me," I said flatly. "And I don't love you."

He scoffed. "What is love, anyway? Didn't you once tell me that love was just a fairy tale? Just something that people prayed for, but they never got?"

I bit my lip. He was right. I used to think that, after Oliver broke up with me. I thought that settling for Dick was the only way I could have stability. But now that Oliver was back in my life things were different. Even though I was angry at him, I no longer believed that love was just a fairy tale. I knew it was real, even if it hurt.

"I don't believe that anymore," I told him, being completely honest. Dick might have been bad for me, hell, we were bad for each other, but there were moments when he was sweet to me. He deserved to know the truth. "I'm in love with someone else."

"That bastard who threw me out?" Dick shot back as he grabbed my arm, dragging me toward the door. In that moment, all the breath seemed to go out of my body.

"Help!" I screamed, hoping that Larry might still be in the kitchen, that somebody, anybody, would hear me.

This Dick was a different man, a dangerous one. He was showing another side of himself, one I had suspected lurked beneath the surface all along.

My instinct to protect my baby kicked in, and I wrenched away from him, running toward the back exit.

I was going to make it. I could see the door of the exit; it was so close.

Dick grabbed me around the waist, and I screamed again.

My head spun. What was I going to do?