getting some ice for that. You want me to help you to the break room?”
“I’ll be fine,” he insisted. “Just need a minute. The guy took a fucking cheap shot.”
“I can tell.” We must have looked like quite the pair when John held out a hand so I could help
him up. When he lost his balance, I was sure both of us were going to topple and that I’d be buried
under a pile of burly bouncer. He pulled back the shirt again and I had to focus on my breathing to
keep from hurling. That would not be an effective way to show I could stay cool under pressure. I
hooked my hand around his elbow. “You can be pissed at me later, but we need to get you someplace
where I can look at your face.”
John must have been in more pain than he was letting on because he didn’t try arguing with me. I
made eye contact with Theron and my dad. Jack might not be pleased that I’d left them out here to
help William, but I wasn’t even supposed to be here tonight. This was supposed to be the world’s
most awkward birthday celebration. It would definitely be one I’d never forget, although I’d much
rather be sitting at home with cake than trying to clean up a head wound.
As we passed the bar, I called out to Corey, letting him know where we’d be. A few concerned
guests stopped us to check on John and thank him for keeping everyone safe. Until tonight, I wasn’t
sure I’d appreciated just how seriously John took his position. Incidents like this were so few and far
between that most nights he seemed bored. He knew the regulars and they all knew better than to
approach him with even the faintest hint of liquor on their breath.
“I’m fine,” John protested when I lowered him on one of the couches. Ignoring him, I pulled the
first aid kit off the wall and donned a pair of gloves. I had zero clue what I was doing but I had to do
something.The entire time, John alternated between insisting I tape some gauze to his head so he
could get back out there—thatsowasn’t happening—and thanking me for trying to get the bleeding to
stop. Maybe he wasn’t quite as much of a prickly asshole as I’d originally thought.
The door to the breakroom opened and my mom ushered two cute paramedics into the room. This
was a bizarre alternate reality for sure, but she offered me a quick smile and nod before disappearing.
Knowing her, she was out there flitting from one table to the next, trying to make sure no one was
traumatized by the disturbance. I stepped out of the way, making room for the people who had actual
medical training.
“Hey, you okay?” I sagged against the wall when I saw Daddy coming down the hall. This was the
first chance I’d had to breathe and process any of what had happened. As much as I’d like to think I
