When I looked back to the end of the bar, Morgan and his new girl were back and talking, though she was not as close to him anymore. His eyes caught mine, his face full of guilt. I sucked in a deep breath, biting my lip hard to try to keep the pain there instead of reaching its way into my chest. I tapped on the bar and Aria handed me another drink.
I went to get up. I needed to get out of there, but my way was blocked by a large body. An arm circled my waist, and I felt hot breath on my neck. I smelt him and knew instantly who it was before he opened his mouth.
“I’m sorry, it’s not what you think. I didn’t, I couldn’t.” His voice cracked.
I turned, looking up at his bright blue eyes. I quickly looked away and over his shoulder. I couldn’t break down in public. I couldn’t let him see how hurt I really was. It was for the best. Rather me get hurt this way than him.
I leaned into his ear. “Don’t worry about it. I told you go find someone and you did. Can I pass, please?” I placed both hands on his shoulders and pushed but he didn’t budge.
“I didn’t mean for that to happen. Nothing else happened, though, I swear. I didn’t let it get that far.” He gripped my face and forced me to look at him. “I love you, Andie, you know I do.” He swallowed hard.
“I told you, Morg, we’re not meant to be. You just proved that yourself. Now get the fuck out of my way. I have work to do and you have your new girl to do.” I pushed at him again, and this time he moved back out of my way, only for me to be met with his new girl.
“Hey, get your fucking hands off my boyfriend,” she shouted and pushed me.
“Boyfriend?” I asked raising my eyebrows and unable to keep the doubtful smile off my face.
“Yeah, that’s right. So keep your fucking hands off him.” She stood in front of Morgan and tried to give me a back off look.
I wanted to laugh in her face but saw other patrons taking note and I didn’t want things to escalate further. “Oh, don’t worry, sweetheart. I’ll keep my hands off your man. She doesn’t have to worry about me at all, does she, Morgan? We’re just friends, right?” I replied, never once looking at her, only at him.
“Cindy, let’s just go.” He grabbed her arm and tried to pull her away, but she wouldn’t budge.
“Sounds like a good plan. Have a good night.” I smirked and turned to walk away, noting Kirrick watching me. I held up a hand to keep him where he was, and he nodded in response but kept his eyes on me.
“Don’t walk away from me, bitch. Do you know who I am?” Cindy screamed and grabbed my arm.
Ah, the ‘do you know who I am’ bit. In fact, I had no idea who she was, but she obviously thought she was important. I turned, a sickly-sweet smile on my face. I walked her backwards until she was sandwiched between Morgan and me.
“No, bitch, I don’t know who the fuck you are. Do you know who I am?”
“Andie,” Morgan said in a low, warning tone, but I ignored him.
My anger had taken over fully now. This bitch thought she could talk to me like that inmyclub, withmyman? I was right up close and in her personal space. Her arm left mine and she faltered a bit before recovering.
“No, should I?” She crossed her arms in front of her.
“Andie, just leave it, yeah?” Morgan reached out to me, but I batted his hand away.
I shrugged off his arm and stared Cindy in the eyes. “Well, see the AJ’s all over the walls and on the big flashing sign outside?” I paused and waited for her to nod. “I’m the fucking A of AJ’s. Now, take your ‘boyfriend’ and run along before I put you down,” I growled at her. “See you around, Morgan.” I winked at him and gave what I hoped was a suggestive smile. I knew I shouldn’t have, but I was hurt and angry and looking for a fight.
“I don’t give a fuck who you are, stay away from him.” She swung at me.
I dodged it easily, but my anger had passed the point of no return. I gripped her by her top, pulled her away from Morgan, and swung my arm, my fist catching her on the cheek with a satisfying thump. I let go and she went down in a heap at Morgan’s feet.
I bent over and spoke into her ear, “I did warn you. Have a good night with your boyfriend.”
She held her face and was screaming as though I’d stabbed her. I hadn’t even hit with my full strength.
“Andie, what the fuck?” Morgan yelled trying to help her up.
Before I could reply, strong arms were wrapped around me. I was carried out of the club through the back entrance by Kirrick and bundled into my car with Lauren and Betty.
“Want to talk about it?” Betty asked.
“Not really,” I answered and wallowed in my misery all the way home.
I was unable to sleep that night, so I grabbed a small box from the basement and packed up anything that Morgan had left lying around my house. There were a few things that he had missed when he was angrily grabbing his stuff. I sat for the rest of the night on the sofa wearing one of his hoodies and intermittingly pressing it to my nose to smell him.
