“Jen, what do I do? I haven’t taken her calls all day.” I feel sick at the hurt I may have caused. She’d be frantic trying to find out how I am.
“I’ve spoken to her, and she is pissed! I’m not gonna lie, I would be too, you shithead,” an unfamiliar voice says.
Yes, Miss
My head shoots up again to look at Amy, Jen’s girlfriend. She’s usually pretty quiet and hasn’t said a word until now.
“I spoke to her, reassured her, said we were taking you out to cheer you up. But you will be calling her tomorrow. And you better do, or I will personally beat the living shit out of you.” She crosses her arms, exuding a terrifying air that makes me believe her. She’s half my size but teaches mixed martial arts, and I don’t want to take my chance with her. I’m not too manly to admit when someone half my size could do me some serious harm.
“I didn’t realise you were close,” I utter hesitantly. I know they’ve spoken a few times at after-work drinks, but I didn’t know they’d become friends.
“Neither here nor there, James. Don’t deflect. Get your ass in gear, get showered, and let’s go. We’re off to the pub,” Jen orders, shooing me out of the kitchen.
Alexandra Ravensbrook
Chapter 36
James
We take our seats in the crowded pub, my back to the wall, looking out at the revellers. I’m still in no mood to be out, but at least it’s a change of scenery. Jen and Amy sit in front of me, flipping and catching beermats and laughing.
I stare as the head of my beer starts to disappear, wondering what the hell I’m doing with my life. How has it come to this? A couple of months ago, I was a boring teacher, preparing for another school year, alone and frustrated but with a peaceful life.
Now I’m with a woman I adore, but my career lies in tatters, my confidence with it.
A loud laugh catches my attention as a group of men saunter in, all clapping each other on the back, and I feel sick.
Yes, Miss
“All right, noncey boy? Didn’t expect to see you showing your face in public!” Daniel sneers at me from the bar as his friends join in with their laughs. The heat of anger stirs inside my stomach, rising up as my hand grips my pint glass, turning my fingertips white. I breathe deeply, trying not to lose my temper. I don’t want to give him the satisfaction of getting a rise out of me. The pounding in my ears grows louder as the noise of chatter drifts away to nothing in my mind.
“Daniel,” I bite out. “No woman to harass tonight? Or are you just getting started?”
“Oh James, at least mine are adults when I get my hands on them!” he spits, his face twisted in hatred.
“Fuck you, Daniel! You know it’s a lie. One I bet you’re behind, you nasty piece of shit!” I jump up, my bar stool toppling to the floor behind me. Jen shoots up, her arm gripping my wrist.
“James, stop. Don’t let him win!”
“What have I got to lose now, Jen?” I growl. “I’ll fucking kill him.”
“Yeah, James, sit down,” Daniel laughs. “Your Madame isn’t here now, is she? I like a spirited woman; maybe I should have a crack at her? Now you aren’t mooning over her at work.” His smug fucking face smiles back at me. “She likes an older man; I’ll show her what I can do with a whip on that peachy ass of hers!” He cackles, his head
Alexandra Ravensbrook
whipping back as he laughs. His cronies laugh along as onlookers start to pay attention.
And I see red.
There’s no way he’ll talk about Isabelle like that and get away with it! She’smine.
Mywoman.
Myqueen.
To have a piece of shit like him disrespecting her and reducing her to some sexual plaything is too much.
A wave of rage rolls through me as I shove past the table, sending our drinks flying. I stalk up to him, gripping his shirt in my fist, and pull him flush against me, staring him down.
