And then I hear sirens.
Shit.
Chapter Six: Alexa
There are always those times, when you feel on top of the world and then it just comes crashing down on you. It comes with any good thing. And I don’t know why I didn’t expect it. I get my dream job, coupled with mind blowing orgasms and lustful looks from a sexy Irish man that are just as good.
So, I should have seen it coming. It is just how my life goes. Good happens, and then bad comes right after. When mom finally got a new job, and we moved to a new city and I got to go to a better school, she was hit by a bus the week after. A freak accident. Dad was gone years ago, so that didn’t matter.
Anyway, I moved on from that. Sort of. Foster care didn’t leave much room for dwelling on the past. Getting this job, to me, was making
it. So of course, it had to all crumble around me in just one night. My first night, and it ended like that.
“My cell is fucking blowing up. It’s ridiculous.” Joshua paces the bar in anger. I have never seen him so tense, his shoulders hunched and his jaw tight.
I sat at the edge of the bar, hugging my knees to my chest as I replayed the events. I knew his type even when he first sat down. Tough, but not really. Thought he could have whatever he wanted. I could deal with his wandering eyes, not thinking he was going to touch me or anything.
But then the bar cleared out…I could still feel his cold grip around my wrist. The sting of his slap on my ass. It made me nauseous, thinking of how it felt when he touched me. It had never happened to me before, handsy people at the bar. But it did and then…Kellan was there. The way he was on that guy so fast, protecting me. I wasn’t used to it, and I definitely didn’t expect it. It made me swell, and made the ill feeling of that man fade.
But I still heard the sound of his punches. The slap of his skin colliding. It made me flinch at every thought. I realized I was shaking. Joshua was still on the phone, evading questions. Reporters, people on Snapchat had shared the event at the snap of a finger. Now anyone who followed them, and there were thousands; knew what happened.
Bar owner beats up customer.
Nothing about the customer cursing, and assaulting me. No, of course they left that out.
“Baby, you’re shaking.” Austin appeared next to me. His strong arm encased mine, holding my shaking at bay for the moment.
“Are you okay?” He leaned in closer, crouching next to me. I inhaled his sharp scent, mixed with the smell of the kitchen. He smelled like comfort food, but in a…sexier way.
“I’m sorry.” I whispered. I turned to him, my eyes glistening.
“Oh no, don’t be sorry. Why are you sorry? That prick put his hands on you.” He spat the last part. I shook my head and looked away. But he cupped my chin and turned me to face him.
“Kellan…they arrested him. Because of me.”
That was the hardest part. I don’t even know why I called the police, I think I was afraid the guy would turn on him. He was big, and drunk, so he had no inhibitions. The cops hauled Kellan off like he was in the wrong, and that asshole demanded charges be pressed. I couldn’t even imagine what Kellan was going through.
“Don’t think about that. None of this is your fault.” He tucked hair behind my ear and cupped my cheek. “I don’t want you thinking like that, none of us do.” He gripped my shoulders and held me close to him. The hug was a tight embrace, of nothing but comfort. His hard body against mine.
“Come on, this floor is filthy.” He stood me up and walked me around the bar. I wiped my eyes where a few tears escaped.
Joshua ended a call and came over to me. His strides filled the room and he was in front of me immediately.
“Are you okay?” He rubbed my shoulders and looked me over with concerned eyes.
“I’m…I’m fine. Is everything okay? I’m so sorry…” I said again.
Joshua shook his head and ticked his jaw. “It’s fine, don’t even worry about that, honey. Come here.” He took me in his arms, wrapping me up in his solidity.
I exhaled and relaxed a little more. His arms felt so good, I closed my eyes and surrendered for a moment, but then I saw the horrors of the night again. Kellan hauled off in handcuffs, people videotaping it…it was horrible. I began to shake again.
“Shh, baby.” Austin stood behind me and gripped my shoulder. With both of their hands on me it was like my body was doing something else, flying away from me and letting their comfort win.
I nodded and pulled away. Joshua’s phone went off again. Shouldn’t people be asleep? He took the call elsewhere. Austin went behind the bar and poured me a glass of water. I hadn’t realized I was so thirsty.
Joshua reappeared with a serious expression.
“That was the lawyer. Bail is a hundred Gs.”