Etching Our Way (Broken Tracks 1)

She looks between us both before nodding and walking off toward where I presume the kitchen is.

“I said I wasn’t hungry.”

He leans forward, steepling his hands together. “Nothing I didn’t deserve?” he asks in reply to my earlier statement, ignoring me.

I clear my throat, picking up my glass of water and taking a sip to wet my parched throat. “Yep.”

“Hmm.” He leans back in his chair, his gaze not leaving mine or faulting, even when I narrow my eyes at him. Running his finger along his bottom lip, he raises a brow before stating, “You never answered my question on Friday night.”

“I don’t owe you anything,” I say, rolling my eyes. “But please enlighten me, what question?”

His eyes penetrate mine as I bring my gaze up to his. “Why are you back here?”

I huff. “You seem to have been acquainted with the reason,” I say, pointing at his eye.

His demeanor changes, his body stiffening as he sits up straighter. “He hit you?”

My eyes widen; he’s taken what I said way out of context. “No, not like that. We… we grew apart, that’s all I’m saying.”

I twist my hands uncomfortably, pulling my gaze away from his, it’s getting far too intense. I shouldn’t be here, I should get up and walk out but something is keeping me rooted in my seat.

I take another sip of water; the atmosphere has turned awkward and I’m hyperaware of every movement I make. I’m starting to feel a little uncomfortable sitting across from the man that once broke my heart and I realize I’ve gone inside my own head; not a good place to be.

I sit up and clear my throat when he doesn’t say anything so I try to change the conversation. “How’re the kids?”

I see his eyes fill with understanding when I look back up at him. He knows what I’m doing, and yet he goes along with it before narrowing his eyes. “The kids?” I nod. “They’re good.”

“Good,” I reply.

He opens his mouth as he starts to say something but halts when the waitress walks over and places a plate in front of each of us.

“Thank you,” I say, smiling at her before picking up my knife and fork and cutting up a piece of steak then putting it in my mouth, moaning as the meat practically melts on my tongue.

He looks down at his plate as he picks up his own steak on his fork, his eyes closing as a smirk lifts the corner of his lips. “Aren’t you glad you stayed now?”

I raise a brow at him but don’t answer; it’s the most beautiful steak I’ve ever had the pleasure of eating, but I won’t tell him that.

We eat in silence, the thought that this couldn’t be any more awkward running through my head the whole time. I shouldn’t have stayed; I should have left and not even entertained staying in the same room, never mind sitting a couple of feet away from him.

The sound of his cellphone ringing gains my attention but he simply ignores it, pressing a button before popping another piece of steak in his mouth.

“You can answer that if you want,” I say, shrugging.

He lifts his gaze to mine. “No, it’s only a reminder for a meeting I have in half an hour.”

“Ahh,” I say, realizing that I have no idea what he does for work. “Where is it you work?” I ask, trying to sound indifferent.

He places his knife and fork down before steepling his fingers together. “I took over my dad’s company.”

I try not to show the shock I feel as I look at him but his mind seems to be elsewhere as he stares out of the windows that line the front of the restaurant. “Wow, I thought that was his baby.”

He laughs, but it’s more sinister sounding than anything. “Yeah... it was.” He turns to face me, his gray eyes connecting with mine. “He was embezzling money.” He raises a brow. “You’re looking at the CEO of Carter Enterprises.”

I place my knife and fork down, studying his reaction. He didn’t say it like he was bragging or showing off, it was a simple statement. “Why do I get the impression that you’re not happy about that? I thought that was what you wanted?”

“Don’t you mean what my parents wanted? I was pushed into it, having no choice in the matter.” He shrugs. “I’ve put my own stamp on things and now that my father is out of prison, I’ll be making sure he sees that I’m better at running the company than he ever was.”

My eyes widen at his flippant words. “Your dad was in prison?”