“I’ve hiked mountains. And jungle. And desert. You’re barking up the wrong tree, Watts. I can eat alphabet soup and shit a more interesting conversation than this.”

Watts frowned. “Damn. You’re mean as fuck.”

“Yes. I am. Go away.”

He hesitated. “Are you military?”

I took a final drag and pinched the cherry off my cigarette, taking it inside with me when I left Watts standing alone.

Jerry held up a small trash can, and I tossed my cigarette butt in.

Just before I sat, Watts leaned against the bar beside me. “Wanna dance?”

“Not interested.”

“Can I buy you a drink?”

“Not interested.”

Jerry smiled, amused at the exchange. “Watts has a sick fascination with women who don’t want him. You’re not getting anywhere with this one, Watts. She doesn’t care that you look like Zac Efron.”

Watts ran his fingers through his gelled hair. He was pretty, and I was sure other women enjoyed his attention, but High School Musical and Baywatch were terrible movies, and I wasn’t impressed.

“I’m going to catch a table over there,” I said. “Alone.”

Jerry waved at me, and I walked over to a high-top table fifteen feet away from Zeke and his date. Watts had at least distracted me for a moment from my strange curiosity with Zeke’s friend. She looked different than when she first came in—pale, exhausted.

Jerry was clearly trying to talk Watts out of any future attempts at speaking to me, but he was undeterred. I pulled out my phone and texted Trex.

I’m at a dive bar downtown. Save me, T-Rex.

From boredom? Because it’s not that you can’t handle yourself.

Yes. Two drinks in and it’s still not fun. And the men here are annoying af.

K. Be there in 15.

Make it 10.

I sent Trex’s phone my location then watched Watts strut over. I rolled my eyes. “Don’t make me mess up your face.”

He leaned an elbow on the table. “It would be a shame, wouldn’t it? Don’t worry, I’ve seen you fight. I don’t want to piss you off, I just want to talk. You’re interesting.”

“Not on purpose.”

“That’s what makes you so interesting.”

Watts set a beer down with the lid still on it, then he lay flat a bottle opener.

I caught Zeke looking at me. He looked away, carrying on a conversation with the blonde.

“Where are you from?” Watts asked.

“No.”

“Okay … just your name then. Naomi…”

“No.”

“Naomi No. Has a ring to it,” Watts said. I was getting the feeling he was more entertained by my rudeness than if I’d gotten on my knees and blew him.

“Want to see a ring?” I said, outstretching my hand and showing him the gold band on my middle finger.