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"Brett!" I screamed when he punched Eli in the face "Brett, stop!"

Eli was lying on the ground, and Brett had a hand gripping the back of his shirt, his other was still in a fist as he cocked back his ar Brett’s forearrab his fist that was aiain

Jason had run to pull Brett off, but stopped when Eli shoved Brett away and to the side

Scra to his feet, Eli shoved his shoulder into Brett’s sto the by

"Stop!" I screaest you stop before I do sorowled "After all these years, why now? You had her for years Years, you bastard!" He tried e "Then I find her and she’s finally living apart from you, and you have to come and decide that you want her now? You had your chance!"

"You got your hit in, but you won’t be getting another" Eli said cal "I deserved that, I know, and I’h"

Brett’s chest heaved as his eyes narrowed on Eli

"But understand this, she always has, and alill, belong to uards walked up behind Eli and he looked over his shoulder when they spoke "Break it up or take it outside"

"It’s over," Eli said calmly, and pushed off Brett to co behind his back with one arers--as if to ripped his fingers with both my hands, but kept my eyes on Brett as he walked toward the doors of the bar Just before he went through them, he turned to look at me--the pain and sadness apparent on his face My chest ached, but even through the pain I still had no doubt I’dhi away fro to compare a tidal wave to a ripple in a pond--it couldn’t be done

"Are you okay?" Eli asked His pal my eyes from the doorway to Eli’s blue stare, I balked "Me? Of course I’!" I reached for his face to wipe away the blood trickling out of the corner of histhem

"I’m fine But, Paisley--"

"What even happened? You were there and then you weren’t By the time I turned around you were on the floor, how many times did he hit you?"

Eli pressed his forehead to mine, and immediately his calm demeanor flooded my veins "Once, only once He pulled me off the bar stool and I hit the floor But I’ht now"

"Of course you’re not" I laughed shakily and rolled my eyes

"That’s the first time you’ve seen hi off, but I knehen he was talking about

"Yeah"

"Then I need to know if you’re okay I need to knohat you’re feeling right now, Paisley After seeing hiaze darted to the door before looking back into his stor him, but not as ht choice, Eli There’s no questioning that" Pulling one of my hands free from his, I placed my hand over his jaw and brushedwhen his body jerked "Sorry"

"He can punch, I’ll give hihtened, and looked down at the blood on his hand before rolling his eyes Grabbing one of the bar napkins, he cleaned it off and picked up his Guinness I " He gri you for years!"

Eli shis lips fall onto mine "The beer ain, and I pushed against his chest

"You taste like nasty beer now," I whined