“Coop – stop!” I screamed again, frantic now as blood spattered everywhere.
One of the men stood up groggily, desperately jumping onto Cooper’s back to gain some retribution, arms around his throat.
My feet were moving before I could stop them, handfuls of the man’s ruined shirt in my grip as I ripped him off with all my strength.
The shock of the movement was enough to jar him, but only for a second. Falling from Cooper’s back he turned towards me, a snarl on his bloodied face.
“You fucking bitch!” He spat, his fists clenched as he wiped the back of his hand across his mouth.
I froze.
Cooper’s back was still to me, two men now at his feet while the third stalked me like prey.
He was so much bigger than I was, a malicious gleam in his eyes that I wasn’t going to be able to fight.
Licking his lips, I nearly gagged at the sight of his blood covered tongue.
“Don’t,” I gritted, my palms ahead of me defensively, ready to flee.
He grinned, his eyes narrowing as if my fear was what he sought, and I knew there would be no escaping his grasp this time.
The look of victory gleaming in his bloodshot eyes was enough to get me moving but just as I moved to run, Cooper turned and tackled the man to the ground with a thud louder than the base of the speakers.
They landed in a heap at my feet, and I jumped back, narrowly avoiding the fists and legs flying in all directions.
My heart thrashed in my chest, fear and adrenaline clouding my thoughts. I needed help - someone who could stop Cooper, who was now straddling the guy and hitting him over and over.
Just as I made the reckless decision to again intervene, Sebastian flew past me. Lunging at Coop, he wrapped his arms around him and yanked him off the nearly unconscious guy sprawled on the ground.
“Enough, bro!” Seb screamed, his arms firmly around his chest, as Cooper continued to thrash with a deep-seatedfury.
“Get the fuck off me!” He bellowed, writhing in Seb’s arms but my brother held on with a strength borne from pure stubbornness.
I watched in horror. Tears pressing for release at the look of vacancy still lining my old friend’s gaze.
I longed to soothe him. To run my thumbs across his forehead and smooth the anger currently creasing his skin. In that moment he reminded me of that lost teenage boy who sat in the playground at school when he thought no one was watching. His face masked with a pain which came from deep within and no ability to self-soothe or work through his emotions.
Only now, he was older, and this was a rage which meant he was no longer in the driver’s seat. Logic and reason shoved aside along with all sense of rationality.
“She’s safe!” He yelled. “She’s safe!” His repeated words were enough to infiltrate the anger as Cooper went slack, sucking in a lungful of air. My brother spoke softer now so I couldn’t make out the words but whatever it was, it caused him to turn, his eyes finding mine.
An unspeakable sorrow loomed beneath the sweat-slicked brow and tangled blond hair.
Sebastian stepped back patting him once on the shoulder before he turned to me too.
“You good?” Holding me at arm’s length he visually scanned my face and arms.
“I’m fine,” I said sniffling. “But you should probably get to Marls. She’s had a lot to drink.” I did my best to smile, glancing over to where they stood. Andy was there now too, a very drunk, and still angry Arna leaning against him. Her verbal tirade continued as she pointed towards the guys who were all on the floor in various stages of duress. Marlee waved guiltily as she looked over at us, her eyes softening when they landed on my brother. Jack had Winter cornered, likely reassuring her she never had to leave the house without him again and in the surprise of the century, Jay was embracing a visibly upset Felicity.
It was as though I’d entered the Twilight Zone.
“You good Coop, I need to get to Marls.”
“I’m good,” he huffed, running a swollen hand through his hair and wincing. “I’ll take Evs.”
Sebastian looked between us before nodding. “You okay with that Eva?”
Of all the questions… What was I supposed to say?
