A/N: A change in POV's for a bit. Unbeta'd.
Chapter 24
BPOV
There's always patrons here on Christmas Eve, whether it's a packed house or a couple lonely people here and there. This year it's been the latter. Tonight has been dull and I've hated nearly every minute of it. A busy bar keeps my mind busy. I don't think about my life and what's been happening or not happening in it. I concentrate only on making drinks and being a therapist to my customers if they need me to be.
Edward has been great, but also a little too much. I often catch him staring at me worriedly like I'm a thin piece of glass that'll crack or completely break at the slightest mention of anything related to Seth and that night. I'm a grown-ass woman who's had a shitty hand dealt to her in life, but many people go through similar things and survive. At least that's what I keep telling myself.
Did I go to work too early afterwards? Maybe. I know I had to go back at some point, so why not quickly immerse myself back into it?
To add to his constant presence, my poor truck started acting strange. It would start, but sputter like the need for gas when I had a full tank, then it wouldn't start at all the next time I tried at his house. Edward quickly said he'd drive me wherever I needed to go and pick me up from work. I let him because I needed some way to get around and I love him. I crave his presence, but I also wish he'd give me a little more space.
Why am I uncertain of what I really want? Why can't I just pick one and everything be okay?
I told Edward that the bar wasn't busy my second night back. I know he knows I was lying, but I didn't want to worry him anymore than he already was. It was a packed house and I welcomed it. A downside to the business is that sometimes you need to cut people off that in no way want to be and then get angry because you're shitting on their parade, or someone or more than one gets a little handsy. Unfortunately for me, there were both types and all through the night at that. I got into a small fight, slapping and then front kicking him in the stomach before Felix and Amun, the bouncers made it over.
I got sent home because it was getting too rowdy and I'd already struck a customer, no matter if I was in the right. Sam supported me, but as it was his bar, he had the difficult task of making those kinds of decisions.
Now I sit beside Edward on our way back to his house where I'm supposed to be staying the night again.
"You're awfully quiet tonight," he says, breaking me out of my thoughts. "Everything okay?"
I sigh and look down from the passenger window to my hands in my lap, then look over at him. This is going to suck. "Yes and no."
"Okay?" He asks when I don't elaborate fast enough.
"I think I need to stay at my house tonight… alone."
A/N: Whatcha think?
