Chapter 3: Beautifully Broken

Rex

Shit.

I take a step forward.

A friend of hers places a hand on her back, rubs up and down. Leans over and speaks into her ear. Another woman scoots closer, resting a hand on her arm and another reaches across the table, doing the same. Her friends are comforting her, offering her support for whatever is going on in her life to make her break down in tears in a public place.

What am I doing? I don't know her. Yet I want to go console her. Cheer her up. Figure out what's making her sad and fix it.

She's here at The Flying Goat, with what looks like a group of friends out for drinks which means it's supposed to be a happy time for her. So, what is happening that's causing her to stand here and cry? Better question is, why do I care so much? It's not that I lack compassion, but typically if I see someone upset, but they clearly have a support system surrounding them, I wouldn't think of it again.

But this beautifully broken girl, I can't tear my eyes away from her. I still haven't moved from my place, staring at her and wishing like hell I had the right to storm over to her and slay all her dragons.

Whatever this feeling is, it's completely new and I'm not sure I'm on board with feeling it. I've managed to go my entire life without attaching myself to another person and don't plan to start now. Instead of following every instinct screaming at me to do the opposite, I turn on my heel and head toward the back of the bar to sign out and head home.

Her people are with her. They'll take care of her.

Only.

I don't make it very far.

Standing outside of Ethan's office, I tilt my head to the ceiling and cup the back of my head with my hands. Blow out a few breaths and growl low in my throat.

Fuck me but I'm actually considering going back out there just to see what the hell is wrong with her. No, I'm not considering it. I'm doing it, if the fact that my legs are eating up the distance between us rapidly has any merit.

"Come with me," I demand as soon as I'm next to her. I'm standing so close to her, I can feel her body heat, her arm brushing against my chest.

She startles, turns to get a better look at me, and sputters, "Excuse me?"

Accurate response.

All this is new to me, including my desire to be a cave man, throw her over my shoulder, and make her forget whatever was causing her tears in the first place.

I suck in a breath when our eyes connect. From a distance, she was beautiful. Up close, though, is an entirely different story. Flawless skin and deep, dark brown eyes. Her makeup is light showcasing her natural beauty

"Hey!" one of her friends shouts.

"It's fine," I tell her, doing my best to sound friendly, even flashing a smile. "I work here. Just want to talk with your friend a little bit, okay?"

"No, it's not okay," the same friend says, placing her hands on her hips.

I redirect my gaze to the woman who's stolen my attention and realize my earlier tactic, basically being an overbearing dick, probably wasn't a good start. "I'm sorry for coming across as a prick a moment ago, but come with me a moment, will you?" I plead. If she says no, I'm afraid I'll end up back where I started. Acting like a supreme asshole.

"Why? She's not doing anything wrong."

"Please?" I beg, ignoring her friends.

She's staring at me, probably trying to figure out what the hell my problem is and trying to decipher whether or not I'm a psycho. I see a subtle nod and resist the urge to show how relieved I am.

"Chloe! No!"

"It's," she trails off and looks to her friends, "It's okay. I promise. Just stay here. I'll be right back."

She takes a step away from me and I look at the ladies who look to be both curious and close to intervening and stopping her from following me. "My name is Rex Matthews. I'm a part-time bartender here and a computer programmer the rest of the time."

"So?" the first friend snarks.

"I'm telling you this so you know who I am."

"Okay?"

"I'll have her back to you soon, okay?"

"You're not going to kidnap her? Or, worse?"

"No. Just want to talk."

"This is weird. Why can't you just talk out here?"

"Ari, it's fine," Chloe tells her.

Ari gives me one last withering look before nodding. I appreciate her hesitation, though. If her friends hadn't stepped in, I would have been a little pissed.

"Follow me?" I ask Chloe.

"Sure," she says quietly.

I have no idea what I'm doing. My first instinct is to guide her into Ethan's office and pull her into a hug. But, call me crazy, I'm thinking that might come across as a bit forward.

I leave the door to Ethan's office open, hoping that helps her feel more comfortable and pull out one of the chairs in front of his desk for her to sit in. I sit next to her and lean forward.

"I'm Rex," I start with, not knowing what else to say.

She offers up a small smile then adds, "Chloe."

I offer her my hand and she takes it. Hers is so much smaller than mine, a bit shaky and cold. I wonder immediately if she notices the differences between ours like I do. "Nice to meet you, Chloe."

"You too."

When she drops my hand, I instantly want to reach out and grab hers again. Instead, I rest against the back of my chair and rub my hands against my thighs. "Now, wanna tell me what's wrong?"

Her eyes dart away, landing on Ethan's desk before returning quickly to me. She sighs and her eyes fill with tears, a few immediately making a trail down her cheeks that she angrily swipes away.

"I've had a really shitty day."