Mark chuckled a little to himself as he saw her look towards the door once again.
"Don't worry, he's coming," he said.
She looked at him annoyed.
"I don't know what you're talking about," she said.
"Stop pretending. You're looking at the door every five seconds," he said.
"Am not!" She raised her voice.
He just shook his head and laughed.
She turned her head as she heard someone enter the bar. Sure enough, it was Roman, but he wasn't alone. Seth and Dean were with him. Her heart dropped and she turned her head away, pretending not to have noticed them enter.
"Hey there, strange lady," Dean said as he approached the bar.
"Hi Dean," she said without looking at him.
"Three beers," Dean said.
Mark opened the beers and handed them to him.
"You know, you're more than welcome to come talk with us," Dean said.
She turned her head a bit and looked towards the table where Roman and Seth were sitting.
"I don't think so," she said.
"I know he would like it," he said.
"No thanks, I'm good," she said.
He shrugged his shoulders, grabbed the beers and went back to the table. She turned her attention towards Mark.
"Do you think he'll finally get that I'm not interested if I kiss Dean again?" She asked.
"Zola..." Mark started.
"Or maybe I should move in on Seth just to prove my point a little better," she said.
"Stop it," he said.
"Or do them both," she said.
"Stop it!" He yelled and slammed his hand down on the counter.
Everyone's attention went towards the bar to see what was going on. She felt embarrased. He stared her in the eyes but didn't say anything else. She knew he had had enough so she left him and walked towards the bathroom. Roman got up and walked towards the bar.
"What was that all about?" Roman asked.
"I can't deal with is anymore. I'm so tired of her denying how she feels about you and so tired of seeing her try to fuck it up on purpuse," Mark answered. "And why on earth would you bring your boys in here with you? It's not helping your case."
"I didn't invite them. They invited themselves. It's not like I can deny them going to a public bar," Roman said.
"I'm sorry. It's just... I'm just so tired of it all today," Mark said.
"Me too," Roman said.
He left the bar and walked towards the bathroom and waited for her outside the door. Her eyes widened as she opened the door to find him there. He gently pushed her back in and locked the door.
"What? You want another quickie in here?" She asked and smirked.
He didn't answer. He just wrapped his arms around her and pulled her in to hold her tight. For whatever reason she didn't fight him this time. She allowed herself to be held. She felt so safe in his arms.
"I missed you," he said down in her hair.
She didn't answer. The words were right there on the tip of her tongue but they didn't leave her mouth. She wanted to tell him that she missed him too. Instead she just pushed her way out of his arms and looked at him. His eyes were wet.
"What's up with you today?" She asked.
"Mark told me the other night," he answered.
"Told you what?" She asked.
"Everything. What happened to you. About Daniel, about what he did to you," he answered.
Her eyes turned hard. She pushed him hard and walked pass him. He tried to grab her arm but she was too fast. She unlocked the door and stormed towards the bar. Mark turned around and was completely taken by surprise as she slapped him across the face.
"You told him? You fucking told him?" She shouted.
Mark hurried around the bar to her.
"Not here," he said in a low voice as he grabbed her wrist and pulled her out in the back.
She let herself drop down on a chair and started crying. Mark went over to her and put his arms around her.
"You had no right," she sobbed.
"I know but I couldn't take it anymore. You weren't about to tell him and he needed to know why you act the way you do," he said.
"No, he didn't," she sobbed.
"Look at me, sweetheart," he said.
She looked at him through the tears.
"He seems to really care about you and wants to know you better. Your story didn't scare him away. He's here, isn't he?" He said.
She just nodded. She didn't know what to say.
"You want me to bring him in here so you can talk?" He asked.
"No!" She hissed.
She still wasn't ready for that. Mark got up and walked over to a cabinet. He opened it and took out a bottle of whiskey and a shot glass.
"My private stash," he said as he poured a whiskey and handed her the glass.
She quickly downed it.
"One more?" He asked.
She nodded and he refilled the glass which she downed just as fast.
"Feeling better now?" He asked.
"I don't know," she answered.
She rolled the glass around between her fingers while thinking a little. Finally she looked up at him.
"Mind if I sing a song again?" She asked.
"Not at all," he answered and smiled.
She walked to the stage while Mark got the song ready.
"Looks like your girl is up," Dean said.
Roman and Seth turned their heads to look at her.
Do you know what it's like when
You're scared to see yourself
Do you know what it's like when
You wish you were someone else
Who didn't need your help to get by
Do you know what it's like to wanna surrender
I don't wanna feel like this tomorrow
I don't wanna live like this today
Make me feel better
I wanna feel better
Stay with me here now
And never surrender
Roman's eyes were glued on her. She looked back at him. He sent her a little smile.
"Are you sure you can handle this?" Seth asked.
"I'm sure," Roman answered.
Do you know what it's like when
You're not who you wanna be
Do you know what it's like to
Be your own worst enemy
Who sees the things in me I can't hide
Do you know what it's like to wanna surrender
I don't wanna feel like this tomorrow
I don't wanna live like this today
Make me feel better
I wanna feel better
Stay with me here now
And never surrender
"She sure has a lovely voice," Dean said.
"I know," Roman said.
"I think she's singing to you," Dean said.
"Oh, I know she is," Roman said.
Make me feel better
You make me feel better
You make me feel better
Put me back together
I don't wanna feel like this tomorrow
I don't wanna live like this today
Make me feel better
I wanna feel better
Stay with me here now
And never surrender
Put me back together
Never surrender
Make me feel better
I need to feel better
Stay with me here now
And never surrender
Everyone in there clapped as the song finished. She took a little bow and walked back to the bar where Mark was waiting for her.
"Wonderful," he said.
"Thanks," she said.
"He's looking at you. Want me to wave him over?" He asked.
"No. I can't handle this. You're right, I shouldn't be acting out and jumping on every other man to prove my point but I shouldn't drag him into my shitty life either," she said.
"You're not dragging him anywhere. He's jumping in voluntary," he said.
She turned her head and looked at him. He was still looking at her, smiling, as if he was waiting for her move. She turned her head again and looked at Mark.
"He sure is cute, isn't he?" She asked.
"He is," he answered.
She sighed.
"I'm gonna go home. I can't think straight in here," she said.
She walked out of the bar. Outside she stopped to take a deep breath. Everything had been turned upside down inside her the past week and she felt more confused than ever. She jumped when she felt a hand on her shoulder.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to scare you," Roman said.
"It's okay," she said as she turned to look at him.
"Don't go," he said.
"I have to," she said.
He grabbed her hand.
"Let me walk you home then," he said.
"I don't think that's a good idea," she said.
He took a step closer, still holding her hand. She didn't back down.
"I'm gonna continue chasing you, no matter how far you run," he said and smiled.
"I kind of figured that out by now," she said.
He took one more step, closing the gap between them, leaning his forehead down on her forehead.
"You're not gonna push me away this time?" He asked.
"I'm trying," she said, making him chuckle a little.
He put his free hand behind her head and kissed her. She didn't push him away. She parted her lips and invited him inside. For a while they just stood there kissing, sharing a tender moment. When he finally pulled back from her again, he was smiling. She couldn't help but smile back at him. What was it about this guy that made her so weak? She couldn't find any answer.
"I still need to go though," she said as she slowly backed away from him.
"I'll be here tomorrow again, waiting for you," he said as he watched her back away.
"Yeah, I bet you will," she said before turning around and walking away.