Puppy Love

Part 4

Your heart sank. Something was up, and a huge part of you didn't even want to know what was going on. Shawn had just received a call from your ex, Greg, who definitely threatened to cancel Shawn's gigs, or it was something about you, both of which would suck for your budding relationship with Shawn. You set out into the empty parking lot with full intentions to walk home and wait for some news. Going to the bar would only cause more drama between the boys, and you'd already done enough.

You were about to walk out onto the street when a grey pickup truck came barreling around the corner, causing you to jump back and tug on Chloe's leash. It came to a screeching halt right in front of you, and you could just make out the shape of the driver before he leaned into the passenger's seat and swung the door open.

"Get in," Geoff spoke, patting the seat beside him. You didn't think twice as you scooped Chloe up into your arms and hopped into the passenger's seat, pulling the car door shut behind you.

"What's going on?" you asked, slipping your seatbelt on as Geoff put the car back in gear.

"Shawn sent me to pick you up," he said, eyes fixed on the road as he drove North toward Queen Street.

"Where'd he go?" you asked, even though you already knew.

"His asshole boss-guy called and said he needed to talk to him about the thing tonight, said it was important. We're just gonna go check if he's there, see what's up, and then I'll take you home, okay?"

"Yeah, alright," you nodded, looking out the window as the pit of your stomach twisted violently.

Geoff pulled into the back lot of the Horseshoe Tavern, parking beside the Jeep. Shawn wasn't in it, but you could see his puppy fast asleep on the passenger's seat, so you knew Shawn didn't intend on being here long. This wasn't a good sign.

You swung open the car door, hopping out and leaving Chloe with Geoff. Your heart was thumping loudly in your ears with each step you took to the back entrance, the crisp air turning your cheeks rosy. You took a deep breath and pulled the door open, walking a few strides until the bar was in sight. You could see Greg standing with folded arms across from Shawn, who was slouching a little, as if he were discouraged. You took a step closer, stumbling a bit on a loose floorboard and catching their attention.

Shawn's eyes pleaded with yours, seeming to gloss over at the sight of you. He stood up a little straighter, crossing his arms are turning in your direction as his expression turned cold.

"Hey, baby!" Greg called from behind the bar, shooting you a wink as Shawn shook his head in disapproval.

"I'm out of here," Shawn spoke as his hands fell to his sides. He took a few strides in your direction, walking right past you with a bump of his shoulder against yours. You shot Greg an angry look and turned on your heel to follow Shawn.

"Shawn, wait!" you called, pushing through the door you had come in. "Shawn, stop, please."

He kept walking without looking back, so you broke into a run, throwing yourself in front of him and placing your hands on his shoulders.

"Shawn, what's going on?" you asked, a little out of breath.

He looked away and then up at the sky, as if to keep tears from pooling in his eyes. He finally met your gaze, a stone-cold expression resting on his face.

"What's going on? Seriously?" he spat, shaking your hands off his shoulders. "You have a boyfriend! You're fucking dating that guy!" he raised his voice a bit, motioning backward toward the bar.

"No, I'm not, Shawn please," you pleaded, shaking your head and reaching for his hands.

"No? Well he sure had a lot to say about you," he sneered, pulling his hands out of your reach. "And you know what? Even if you're not dating him, you knew. You knew he was gonna do this, he said he told you," he said flatly, diverting his gaze away from yours. "This was everything I had, and you knew," he spoke as he ran his fingers through his hair.