Leaving the men to eye one another, I hurried to the bathroom. Dylan never followed, just like I hoped. As he focused his jealous attention on Nick who was likely ignoring him now, I slipped out a backdoor and ran for the bus. If I missed it, I’d need to walk three miles. No way could I reach Denny’s before Aaron left.
Even running full speed, I reached the bus stop in time to see it disappearing around a corner. Panic and depression ate at me, but I started walking towards the restaurant. I was going to see Aaron tonight and I wasn’t letting Dylan or fate stop me.
Chapter Eight - Aaron
I’d been stood up once in my life and it was a girl I didn’t really like. We’d both been pretty drunk when we agreed to meet the next day for lunch. I hadn’t wanted to see her again once the beer goggles wore off, but didn’t have the heart to stand her up. She hadn’t suffered from the same weakness and never showed.
Getting stood up that day was a relief. Having Lark not show was like someone kicking me in the balls while tearing out my heart and crapping on it.
My muse might have a million great reasons to stay away. I focused on the one reason I couldn’t bear. She hadn’t wanted me. Despite all the smiles when Jade set up this dinner, Lark might only be playing along. Maybe she knew I wanted her and she simply wanted a finished tattoo. Was this her not so subtle way of making a point?
As I waited for nearly an hour, the waitress must have asked me thirty times if I wanted something or if my friend was coming. The place was dead, but she clearly wanted me to put up or get out. I just smiled and played on my phone. Anyone would think I was content getting stood up. Inside, I was pissed and hurt and pissed some more. Not even pissed at Lark, but at myself for pining for a girl I didn’t know. Over the last few weeks, I’d affixed so many qualities onto her face and name. Lark could be anyone, but I’d made her my muse. My ideal girl who won my heart before our first kiss.
I was pissed at myself for being a fool. A weird obsessive fool to boot. No wonder the girl played it safe and stayed away.
A part of me wanted to go home and trash all of the paintings I’d made of her, but I knew I wouldn’t. Even if I couldn’t win her heart, she still inspired me. Despite her disinterest, Lark was still my fucking muse and I wasn’t trashing anything with her lovely face on it.
Eventually, I gave my waitress what she wanted and left. My Harley was the only vehicle in the main parking lot and it looked as lonely as I felt. Hell, I’d really hoped Lark was the one.
If any night was a good time to speed, it was this one and I raced out of the parking lot and towards Whiskey Kirk’s. I need a few beers and time alone in a booth while working Lark out of my system. While I considered calling Cooper to have him meet me and listen to me bitch, I knew he was home with Farah. The guy loved playing family man in his big suburban house. I suspected the playing part involved the couple running around naked most of the time.
Something was clearly wrong with the world when guys like Cooper and Judd were settled, or whipped as Vaughn like to put it, while I was alone. No one liked the idea of existing as half of a couple as much as me. My parents were still in love after decades together. Even now, their bickering possessed a gooey romantic vibe.
Despite only seeing Lark on a few occasions, I knew her face. Hell, I dreamed of that face. So when I raced past as she walked towards the restaurant, I only needed a glimpse to know it was her.
Turning the Harley around at the next light, I hurried back to where I’d seen her. Lark was making great time, but it would be another fifteen minutes before she reached Denny’s. I stopped the bike next to the spot where she was waiting for me. Clearly, she’d been walking for a while and was soaked with sweat.
“Hey,” I said, frowning at the sight of her flushed cheeks.
“I missed the bus.”
Turning off the Harley, I sighed. “We should have exchanged numbers so I could pick you up.” Noticing her backpack looking heavy with books, I frowned again. “Did you just get out of school?”
“I’m supposed to be studying. My brother was hanging around and I had to sneak off and I missed the bus.”
Lark was hot and tired and her hair was a mess from the long trek. She looked lovely though. Those pink cheeks made me wonder things. Mainly if they’d be so pink after hours of making love with me.
“I thought you were nineteen,” I said once my mind left the idea of us in bed.
“I am.”
“So why does your brother care where you go?”
Lark stared at me with those bright green eyes and waited to be scolded. I hated the look on her face and why it was there. Imagining the countless times she must have been beaten down over the years, I refused to be another disappointment.
“Wanna get some pulled pork over at Stucky’s?” I asked, climbing off the Harley.
Lark blinked hard like she was about to say no, but wasn’t sure how.
“Do you not like barbecue?” I asked.