3 Minutes to Midnight by L.M. Hatchell

Author:L.M. Hatchell [Hatchell, L.M.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: ALX Publishing

Phoenix shoved open the heavy door of the pub and took a deep breath, letting the familiar scent of home wash over her. She’d broken the speed limit the whole way back in an attempt to get as much distance as she could from Shade and his words, but still they rang in her head.

He’d made it sound like she was the one trying to push into their lives, trying to be part of their little makeshift pack. But it was the other way around. They’d forced themselves into her life! All she was trying to do was get the mess cleared up so she could go back to her “cushy life” as he’d so scathingly put it.

Grateful that it was still too early for the cleaner to be in, Phoenix slipped quietly towards the back of the bar. She was hoping to catch a few hours’ sleep before she had to face people again.

Fate seemed to have other ideas, however.

As she stepped through the door at the back, she ran straight into Abi. Her friend stood wrapped in a fluffy purple dressing gown that engulfed her petite frame. Her arms were crossed as she leaned against the stairs that led to their apartment.

“I heard you go out early. I was worried.”

Phoenix looked away as the guilt temporarily wiped all other thoughts from her mind. “I couldn’t sleep. Thought maybe I’d go for a run.”

“Bullshit.”

The softly spoken word pulled her attention back to Abi in surprise. Concerned blue eyes watched her expectantly and for the first time ever, she didn’t know what to say to her best friend.

“I’m worried about you, Phoenix.” Abi unfolded her arms with a sigh. “You haven’t been yourself … not since this guy came on the scene.”

“It’s not like that, I –”

Abi held up a hand to stop her protests

“If you don’t want to talk to me about it, that’s fine,” she said, although the hurt expression in her eyes stated otherwise. “But don’t insult our friendship by lying to me.”

A lump formed in Phoenix’s throat that caused a dull ache and made it difficult to swallow. She wanted to deny Abi’s words, but how could she when they were true? Silence stretched between them and unspoken words caused a void that Phoenix didn’t know how to cross.

“I’m calling Paul in to cover the bar. Take the night off and get some rest. You look like shit.” Her friend turned her back without another word and started up the stairs.

At the top, she looked back over her shoulder one last time. “I love you, Phoenix. I’m here when you’re ready to talk.”

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