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“No, thanks,” I reply She pouts and leans her face closer toelse I can do for you?” she asks, trailing her finger up my arm
“No, thanks,” I repeat firirlfriend” The lie falls from my mouth easily, but it appears to have worked when the waitress pouts and stalks off, approaching another guy who see out in a shit hole like this before, but if I wasn’t here, doing only God knoatching Hayley, I ht have flirted back with that waitress Maybe even let her drag ood ti a monkey's balls
Hayley’s blonde friend ju Hayley alone at the bar Every uy approaches her and takes the vacant seat next to her She shifts, looking uncomfortable He offers her a drink and even when she declines, he orders it anyway I know guys like hiirl drunk, take the comes, they disappear I’m not about to let that happen to Hayley
When an uneventful hour has passed, I’ water Hayley and her friend have been sitting at the bar, having a few shots offered by the scu on beers By the way Hayley sways slightly, it’s obvious that she’s had enough to drink The guy chatting her up stands and offers his hand Hayley hesitates, looking back at her friend who nods her encouragement I suddenly don’t like her friend soher hips to the slow beat of a new song The guy wraps his arrip o around his neck, and I see the look of apprehension on her face If she’s so unco with him?
It’s when he starts grinding into her and she tries to push away that I ju over to theo back to the bar but he tightens his grip,her squirm
“I think she wants you to let her go now,” I say Their heads whip up and Hayley looks surprised, while the guy holding her looks annoyed
“We’re dancing, can’t you see that?” he snaps back His hands tighten around Hayley’s arms and she winces
“Well, now I’ closer I put my arm around Hayley’s waist frorip
He glowers atout his chest, like that’ll intimidate me somehow Is this taffle for real? I’m at least four inches taller than he is with a whole lot more muscle I can knock him out quicker than what Mohammed Ali can float like a butterfly
“Whatever, man, pretty sure she’s not worth all the trouble anyway,” he says, walking away
I go to grab his shirt, ready to break his jahen Hayley’s delicate hand wraps around my forearm I shouldn’t feel the heat where her hand touches my skin But I do I can’t help it
“Ca here?”
If only I knew
Our eyesin the middle of this run-down hole-in-the-wall of a bar
“I -” My words stop I don’t want to lie to her, so we just end up staring at each other
“Ca on me?”
“Hayley, I - ” My words catch again She’ll know I’ dishonest I rub the back of oddammit, I’m here for you! Because I can’t stand the idea of another fucker's hands on you! You’re not mine, but I feel like you should be, I tell her in my head
“How did you know I’d be here?” she asks, dipping her head so she can look at me
“Does it matter?” I throw back as casually as possible Inside I’ to reach out to her
“Yes, actually it does” Her words are firm, full of resolve Her arms cross over her chest, but she sways a little My hand shoots out and steadies her by her elbow
“I think you’ve had enough,” I tell her “Let me take you home”
Her face contorts, changing froer “Excuse me?” she snaps Her voice raises an octave or two
I lean in closer and lower my voice as to not draw any unnecessary attention to our discussion “I think it’s ti irresponsible like go hos”