11. Roxy

Chapter 11

Roxy

A week of watching Gage come into the bar and drinking every night has me worried. It’s not like he’s getting drunk, but he’s definitely drinking more than he usually does. But it’s not just the drinking that’s bothering me, it’s the fact that he’s said so little to me.

I’ve caught him staring at me and when I do, he turns away from me. He barely talks to me and when he does, it’s usually something really simple and he walks away from me. I don’t know what to think about it. He’s never treated me this way, not in the three years I’ve known him. He may be short and sometimes even a dick to others, but he’s always been gentle with me. Even Cat has been asking me what is going on with us. I tell her nothing, but it’s only because I don’t really have a clue what is bothering him.

I walk from behind the bar to where he’s sitting. He’s parked at his favorite booth and I can tell he’s already had a drink or two. I sit down across from him without even waiting to see if he’s all right with me joining him. I would’ve done it in the past and I refuse to think that our friendship has changed so much I can’t do the same now. He resituates himself in the seat and I can tell he’s uncomfortable. “What’s your beef with me, Gage?”

His look is guarded and he’s looking over my shoulder. He won’t even look me in the face. “Nothing,” he mutters.

I try to hide the pain from my face. I knock my knuckles on the table in front of him to get his attention. “You’re lying. Before now, I never would have thought that would happen. You’ve always been honest with me… until now.” I try to keep the emotion out of my voice, but that’s impossible. Gage means so much to me and the thought that I could be losing him almost destroys me. I need to tell him about the baby. But I can’t. Not like this.

Finally, he looks at me. “I’m not angry with you, if that’s what you’re asking. Though I should be. You couldn’t bring me a drink on your way over here?”

Gage is never rude to me—sometimes to others, but never to me. I know he’s doing it on purpose.

I want to get up and walk away, but how much our friendship means to me has me staying in my seat. “Is it that I’m pregnant? Well, get over it because I’m having this baby. I want him or her, and you acting like a dick to me isn’t going to change that.”

His scowl darkens and I know I was wrong. That’s not what he’s mad about. I’ve tried to figure it out all week and that’s all I could figure. I thought he was upset that I’m pregnant, but now I don’t know what his problem is.

I stand up from the table and lean over toward him. My intention is to let him know I mean business, that I’m not backing down. Our friendship is too important to me. “What is wrong with you?”

Gage’s gaze drops lower and I can feel it, like a heavy pressure that slides down my neck and over my cleavage. I’m sure I’m wrong, maybe misunderstanding his look, but when he keeps staring at my breasts, I lose all my conviction and straighten up. “I’ll get you that drink.” I tell him before I walk away.

I retreat to the bar, my heart feeling as if it’s broken in two. I no sooner get the mug out than Gage has his hand on my arm, pulling me toward Ranger’s office. He opens the door and shuts us inside. My mouth drops open in shock, watching him as he paces back and forth. I’m trying to catch up, from our conversation back in the bar to me walking away and to now, me standing with him in a closed office. I’m trying to figure out what in the world is wrong with him.

He comes toward me and walks me backwards until I’m against the closed door. “You want to know what’s wrong with me?”

His hands are on each side of my head and my head is tilted back so I can look up at him. His chest is heaving, almost like he’s been running. His nostrils are flared and I can see the tick in his jaw. He looks like a man that is barely hanging on and if I say anything it might put him over the edge. So I just stare up at him and wait. I’ve never seen him like this. It’s a little scary, but it’s a lot hot.

His voice is almost a growl. “I’ve been coming in night after night seeing you and knowing you’ve changed.”

I start to interrupt him. I want him to know that I’m still the same person, but he interrupts me and draws me even closer. His body is pressed to mine and I can feel my nipples harden at the contact. I bite my lip to hold in the whimper.

His hand goes around my neck, forcing my eyes to his. The hold he has on me would be scary if it was anybody else. With him, it’s exciting and fills my heads with way too many thoughts that I can’t be thinking right now.

He rubs the pad of his thumb across the pressure point of my neck. I know he can feel my pulse beating wildly. “You’re not that snarky, fearless girl anymore. You’re a woman and I want to treat you like one.”

I start to nod my head, but he holds me tighter, pushing his body against mine. The hard door is against my back and his body is pressed against my front. I can feel him then. His desire is pressed into my belly and I push against him, loving the feel of him like this. I don’t know how long this can last. He could change his mind and push me away at any minute, but shamelessly, I hold on to him, taking anything he’s willing to offer. All I want, all I’ve thought about is being in his arms again.

His hot breath runs over the skin on my neck as he leans down, giving me chills of excitement and desire. “The trouble is, once I recognized that you’re all woman, I can’t help looking at you like… a woman.”