Like a moth to a flame, I sense Ford’s presence before I see him. Turning towards the door, it’s hard to miss four giant men walking through, each one just as handsome as the next. Except I’m partial to the one with a tattoo sleeve and backwards hat, looking like a straight up sex God.
There’s no stopping me once I see him, I’m off my bar stool and in his arms in a matter of seconds and he happily scoops me up and gives me the best kiss of my life. Every kiss with Ford is the best one of my life.
“Hi, Princess.” He slaps my butt as he puts me down and we walk back over to the bar where Mia and Summer greet everyone. Summer hands them all glasses of water and winks, knowing that they aren’t drinking tonight. I wish Summer wasn’t working and could actually hang out with us tonight, but she said it’s more fun for her and less chance she gets in trouble, whatever that means.
“Is your fourteen-year-old self just freaking out right now?” I hear Summer ask Chase and watch them get caught up in conversation as the rest of us talk about the game on Sunday and Ford asks how our drive down was. Similar to how I can feel Ford’s presence, apparently I can also sense an unwelcome presence or when something is off and doesn’t feel right.
I twist my head around, desperately searching for someone I don’t want to find when Summer grabs my attention.
“Abby.” She stares at me with a look of encouragement, silently telling me that I can do this. That I can be in the same place as someone who caused me so much pain, and still be okay.
“Abby, don’t freak out. You’re surrounded by walls of muscle.” She gestures to Ford and the guys standing near me. “It’ll be fine.”
Summer’s eyes move to my left and I turn around to see Andrew’s smug face looking in my direction.
The taste of bile rises up my throat. I haven’t seen him or spoken to him since I officially moved my things out and he told me that I’d be back because I’d never find anyone better than him.Ha.
Ford senses my change in demeanor and looks at Summer who mouths “Andrew”at him. Like something out of a movie, Ford stands from his stool and the legs scratch against the ground so loud, it causes people to turn and look in our direction. As if summoning theAvengers,Nate, Liam and my brother end up at the edge of the bar next to Ford, as Andrew waltzes his way over to where we’re standing. My legs feel like they’re about to give out and everything in me wants to scream at the coward in front of me.
“Abby, didn’t know when I’d see you back here again.” Andrew reaches for my hand, but I pull back just as our fingers lightly touch. It sends chills down my spine and not the good kind. I’d like to slap the smile right off his face. The fact that he thinks he can just walk up to me as if nothing has happened and be friendly, astounds me.
Before I can say anything Ford steps in front of me, but I gently grip his forearm,
“No.” My voice is low as I pull Ford back to me.
I move my body in front of Ford’s to face Andrew. Looking at him now, I have no idea what I saw in him for so long. On the outside sure he’s fine to look at, but everything inside is black. He’s completely heartless.
I take a deep breath and focus my stare on him. “You know… I was drowning when I met you.” I point to Andrew, keeping my voice calm and centered. I don’t know where the sudden surge of confidence comes from, but I’m sure it has something to do with the people standing behind me. “Drowning in grief. Then you worked your charm on me. I became your shadow until I was drowning in that too. It’s like you slowly sucked the life out of me, but you never even realized it because you were too busy with your own agenda to consider anyone else’s feelings. You cheating on me was equally the most humiliating and the best thing to ever happen to me. And you know what? In some weird twisted way, I hope this fixes you. I hope that you realize all the shit you put me through and it opens your eyes to what an awful person you were in our relationship. Maybe you’ll be better in your next one or maybe you won’t. Who knows, but I won’t be around to care.” I step closer to him as his eyes stare into mine, looking shocked that I’ve said anything at all to him.
“Don’t ever touch me again.” Those words come out slow and clear so he gets the message.
When I turn around, Summer has the biggest smile on her face. Instantly, an enormous sigh of relief leaves my chest. It’s like everything I just said was weighing me down and I’m feeling lighter and even happier, after getting it all off my chest. Ford leans down and kisses my lips softly before wrapping me in his arms,
“I forgot how fucking dramatic you are, Abby. Thanks for taking her off my hands, bro. Good luck.” My mouth opens in shock at what Andrew just said. Does he not see the size of the four giants I’m with?He can’t be serious right now.
Andrew begins to walk away, but Ford clears his throat to grab his attention. Ford takes a few steps towards him with a smug smile on his face and tilts his head down to look at Andrew.
“You never had what it takes to handle a strong woman like her. She’ll be in my hands a hell of a lot longer than she was ever in yours. I know how to respect and satisfy my woman, I don’t need luck. Here’s a tip for the road.” Ford turns back and winks at me before continuing. “If you ever come near my girlfriend again, I will break every fucking bone in this hand.” He lowers his voice and motions towards the hand holding Andrew’s beer. “And then, I’ll move to the other one and break every bone in that hand too, making sure you can never touch a woman again. You will never have the honor of speaking to or touching Abby again. Do you understand?”
Andrew’s breathing picks up and he shakes his head back and forth before he glances at his friends in the corner.
“I said, do you fucking understand?” Like venom rolling off his tongue, Ford stays planted in front of Andrew waiting for a reply.
“Got it,” Andrew says through clenched teeth, rolling his eyes before he walks away.
I’m watching Andrew walk out the door with nothing but peace and happiness. Here’s to hoping that’s the last time I’ll ever see his face again.
“Well, I don’t know about anyone else, but I need a shot!” Summer lines up shot glasses along the bar and even though the guys can’t take one, I’ll take enough for all of us after what just happened in the last fifteen minutes.
“Tequila!” Mia yells, as we down our shots and I place the glass on the bar before turning to face Ford.
“You didn’t have to do that for me, you know. But thank you.” I lean in to kiss him and he pulls my body close to his as we stand next to the bar top.
“I’d do anything for you, Abby. You have to know that by now.” I nod my head against his chest and close my eyes, feeling the safest I’ve ever felt in his arms.
“You did a great fucking job holding your own, though.” He looks down at me with a proud smile and it hits me right in the chest.
Thankfully, Summer’s boss didn’t completely lose his shit when he saw her take a shot, he just told her to clock out for the night which worked out for us because she was able to hang out for a little before the guys left. Between us girls, we’ve definitely had our fair share of shots and are ready to call it a night. Once our Uber arrives, I text Ford that we’re heading back to the apartment for the night.
