“Seriously? I didn’t even do anything,”Ari protested.
“I’m already done. Can’t I keep drinking? I don’t have time for this.” I tried to pull away, but his grip tightened.
“You’re done for the night,” the one holding Ari said. He started dragging her after Melissa’s security guard, who was already halfway outside.
“That’s what I just said,” I pointed out.
“Not done fighting. Done here.”
I sighedand grudgingly obliged, trudging along so the guy would stop being so aggressive. I glanced over a shoulder to see Dennis looking serious for once. He said something to Sean before hopping over the bar to follow us. My head snapped around when I nearly tripped thanks to a sudden yank on my arm. We came to a stop outside. The security guards let go, gave a stern warning, and two headed back inside while the third stayed at the door.
“I can’t believe you dragged me into this,” Ari said.
“It’s not my fault. She started it. I wasn’t gonna do anything, but I can’t just stand there and get slapped like a bitch. I only like that shit during sex.”
“You didn’t have tocuther.”
“I kinda did. How would it look if I didn’t follow through on a threat? I’m a reliable person, Ari. Don’t take that from me.”
“Seriously, do you wanna be on parole again? ‘Cause I’d rather not have an officer staking outside my window every night. That would be kinda embarrassing.”
“First of all, that’s not how parole works. Second, I’ll be fine. And third, I cannot tell Dr. Kelsey about this.”
“Ya’ think?” Ari shot me an exasperated look as Melissa walked up.
“What do you want?” I groaned.
“An apology.”
“Oh my god, go away.” I took Ari’s arm and sidestepped Melissa.
“You’ll regret this,” she called after us.
I rolled my eyes at the corny line and turned to make a snide remark, only to lose all train of thought. I stared at her face—there was dried blood but no gash in sight. The deep cut I’d made was gone.
I watched as she said something to a couple of men and a woman who’d joined her outside. She shot another glance my way before they walked back to the bar. I smiled smugly, waiting for the guy to send her away, but to my surprise the same security guard who’d escorted me out moved aside to let her in. I waited a few seconds for him to realize who’d walked in and drag her back out, but he didn’t.
“I’ll be back,” I told Ari. I walked to the entrance and pleasantly tapped the man’s shoulder.
“Yes?” He raised an unfriendly eyebrow.
“Can we go back, then?” I gestured inside. “She went back—”
“Melissa didn’t do anything wrong,” he said.
“You can’t be serious.” I stared at him, but he kept a straight face. And then he smiled. “You’re really serious?” We stared at each other until Ari caught up and took my arm.
“C’mon.” She tugged me toward to the car.
“Did you see that?”
“See what? The guy let her back in?”
“No. Well, that too. But I meant her cheek. It’s healed.”
“Completely?” Ari’s voice held as much disbelief as my own.
“Yeah…”
