Damaged But Not Broken (New Adult Rockers) by W.H. Vega

lunch date?” she mocks, her hands on her hips. I see Abby
standing behind her, eyeing me with obvious distaste.
    “No, actually. We were saying that
it’s probably best that we don’t hang out anymore.”
    “Really?”
    “Yes. You know, since you and I are
engaged. I figured you wouldn’t appreciate your fiancé hanging out with another
woman.”
    “I wouldn’t,’’ she snapped, “but
what do you think I am? A jealous bitch?”
    If the shoe fits…
    I don’t answer right away and
Savannah gasps in anger. “I’m not jealous of her ,” she scoffs, gesturing
in Paige’s direction. I notice that Paige is now nursing a drink as Ryan talks
to her.
    Asshole.
    I turn my attention back to
Savannah.
    “You better get your priorities in
order, Blake Evans,” Savannah says, her voice cold as ice. “Any guy in this bar
would be damn lucky to have me.  And I will not have my fiancé chasing after
some old flame, or starting up some bull shit friendship.”
    “Don’t go there, Savannah,” I warn,
my voice heated with anger. “I told you there was nothing going on and we
aren’t going to hang out.” I pause, because my blood is boiling, and I’m
furious because I do care about Paige, and I’m pissed that I can’t spend
time with her. “But I’m not apologizing for being friendly to someone I was
close to years ago!”
    “Years ago,” Savannah spits, “I’m here now! ”
    Abby has now turned her back to us
and is pretending to scope out the rest of the club but I know she’s hanging on
our every word.
    “And I’ll be damned if you’re going
to hang around with that blonde piece of trash,” Savannah continues.
    Savannah has gone too far now. For
one, Paige is anything but trash, and Savannah looks like a streetwalker
tonight when compared to Paige’s simple dress.
    “Are you finished now?” I ask,
gripping the table to control myself.
    Savannah looks back at Paige who is
talking to Ryan, but keeps throwing glances our way. “It appears so,” she says,
gathering her purse. “Let’s go home.”
    “I’m not going anywhere with you
right now,” I growl. “Go out and enjoy the rest of the night with Abby. I’m
going to get Ryan, and we’ll make our way home.”
    Savannah puts her hands on her
hips. “I’m not leaving you alone here with her.”
    At that precise moment, Kenny comes
walking up, his arm around Paige.
    “Hey Blake, what did you think of
my girl?" He beams. "Great, right?”
    I can feel Savannah stiffen next to
me.
    “Yes, she was great, Kenny.” I
smile at Paige, who blushes, embarrassed.
    “Oh, hi Savannah,” Kenny says, “I
didn’t see you there. Not sure if you’ve met my daughter, Paige.”
    Savannah gives Paige a cold smile
that infuriates me.
    “So nice to meet you,” she says
sourly, extending her hand.
    I can see confusion cross Paige’s
face, and she bites the inside of her lip as if deciding what to do.
    “Likewise,” Paige says evenly,
shaking Savannah’s hand.
    Savannah doesn’t miss a beat,
noticing Paige’s equally cool greeting.
    “Blake,” Savannah says, giving me
an obvious look that she wants us to leave together.
    “See you in a bit,” I say, giving
Savannah a this-conversation-is-over look.
    “Whatever,” she hisses, she turns
on her heel and stomps out of the bar with Abby in tow.
    Kenny doesn’t notice anything, and
turns to Paige. “So do you want to come with me, honey or stay longer and hang
out?”
    Paige studies me, and I can tell
something has changed.
    “No, I’ll go with you.” She
decides.
    “Paige!” I call as she starts to
walk away.
    “Don’t,” she warns, her voice hard.
Her eyes are filled with hurt and confusion.
    I want to follow her, to go after
her and explain things.
    But I don’t.
    Instead I watch her leave, feeling
like I’m losing her all over again.
     
    SEVEN
    Paige
    Pain of Past
     
    I ride back home with my father
after my set at the Clipper. My father doesn’t pick up on my mood and that is a
good