Hidebound

Chapter SixtyThree

I look at his face and its set in a blank stare as his eyes focus entirely on me. I quickly side eye Ace and see that he has sat up straighter, noticing that Hex has entered Darby's. My eyes go back to Hex as he walks closer. He knows Ace is here even though he doesn't acknowledge him.

His face doesn't change as he advances to the bar. Even with the risk of this going south quick I can't help the overwhelming feeling of relief that takes over my body now that he is here. Its like I can finally let down the guard I had held up all day and hand it over to Hex.

"Baby" Hex rumbles deep in his chest and leans over the bar, puckering his lips for a kiss. My lips meet his and my eyebrows pull together subtlety as I pull away. His back is to Ace and I watch closely, waiting for Ace to stand and take advantage of Hex's turned back. But he doesn't, he stays seated.

Only five more minutes until Rex starts telling everyone to leave and I pray the time to go faster.

"Hello brother" Harley exclaims, her face in a matching blank expression but their eyes speak words of anger, Hex's presence only re-igniting Harley's fury.

"Harley" Hex greets her with a nod of his head. His one worded sentences are scaring me more than they should.

Hex takes a seat at the bar, keeping his back to Ace, like he's restraining himself from doing something stupid.

Its moments like this that I realise how far Hex has come.

"I'm almost done" I mumble as he watches me closely. He nods.

My hope raises when I see Rex arrive and start going around to the tables and telling everyone that we're closing. Most people start packing up their belongings and heading towards the door. But Kevin is past the point of getting himself home and I don't know if Ace can be trusted to get him home, he obviously doesn't see Kevin as a friend and is only using him as an excuse to sit inside Darby's all day.

It clears out quickly and I work just a quick, hoping to leave as soon as possible. The muttering has come to almost silence as everyone leaves.

I keep an eye and ear on Rex as he goes back to Kevin and Ace's table. Despite the fact that they had been asked to leave, they both remain in their chairs.

Rex was having none of it.

"Ight Kevin, lets go" Rex's deep voice draws Kevin's lazy eyes up to him as Rex stands over him.

"Rex, I'm gonna need your help, mate" Kevin laughs to himself as he tries to stand.

Ace stands, swallowing the last of his drink and putting it back on the table with a slam. He turns and heads out the door without another word.

"See ya, Ace!" Kevin slurs loudly after him, waving at Ace's back. Ace doesn't turn but he does lift his hand over his shoulder in a goodbye.

Once the door closes behind him, I feel my shoulders sink and my lungs fill completely with air for the first time since he walked in the door this morning.

Rex grabs Kevin's underarm and hauls him up from his seat as a taxi pulls up out the front, their headlights on and waiting for someone to sit in their backseat.

"Thanks mate" Kevin says once he's on his feet. He stumbles as he walks and struggles with holding his jeans up on his thin waist but Rex walks behind him, ready to grab him if he trips on his feet.

They walk out the door, leaving only Harley, Hex and I in Darby's. Its quiet and I feel Hex's eyes all over me.

I finish up and grab my bag from under the bar as Rex walks back inside, the taxi along with Kevin now gone.

I walk to Hex as Harley finishes up. His arm wraps around me as I stand by his side, his touch calming me further.

"Want me to walk you out Harley?" Rex offers as Harley grabs the keys to Darby's. Hex stands and directs me in the direction of the front door.

"Yeah, that'd be great. Thanks Rex" Harley puffs and slings her bag higher up on her shoulder.

I shut the lights off and Hex is the first to step foot out the door as I follow him.

"Bye Harley" I hug her as the four of us gather outside the door and Harley locks up.

"See you, bye Hex" she hugs me back and then walks to the left with Rex.

Hex's arm remains tightly clung around my waist and I huddle into his side to shield me from the cold. I look around knowing that Ace is probably lurking somewhere but Hex seems much more on edge than I do as his head turns in every direction, looking for anything that moves in the dark.

"Hex" I call quietly, hoping to get him to relax but he doesn't even look at me as he grabs my hand and kisses the back of it.

My car comes into view and I relax the closer we get to it.

"Rose!"