Dallas was the one to mention shots, naturally. I opted out, having already stopped drinking beer so I could drive us home. Cash had done the same, leaving only Tate, Ronny, and my brother to drink- and they did.
Tate was hesitant at first, but I assured him that I would take over Cara duties when we got home. He planted a wet kiss on my lips before raising his shot glass to clink against the others before taking it.
One shot turned into two, which very quickly turned into six or seven. I wasn’t able to keep up. Plus, it didn’t really matter. Everyone was having a good time. That was, until Ronny had one shot too many and opened his mouth. Tate had walked off to the bathroom and Dallas and Cash went out for cigarettes, leaving him and I alone. We were silent for a long moment and then he swiveled his eyes over to me.
“I heard him telling you that he couldn’t keep up with our schedule.”
I crossed my arms. What was his problem? I shook my head.
“Why are you so adamant about replacing him with Dallas? Tate is miles above him in skill. I thought we were going to keep our private life and work separate.”
“I’m trying. It’s a little hard when he’s constantly throwing it in my face.”
I blinked and then laughed loudly.
“Wow, did you forget when you were the obnoxious one? I love that it was okay when you were doing it but now that he’s even slightly showing me some affection you’re getting upset. Grow up,” I shot at him.
“It has nothing to do with him trying to be all lovey-dovey with you. He’s forcing you to be something you’re not.”
“And what’s that?”
“Mommy,” he mocked. His face turned down in distaste. “I don’t know why everyone keeps calling you that. That’s not your kid.”
I felt the sharp sting of his words in my heart. The loud room around me went silent as I took in what he had just said.
“What did you just say to her?” Tate interrupted the silence. He was coming from the bathroom, but the look on his face told me he heard exactly what Ronny had said. Ronny looked over at Tate with cold, unfeeling eyes.
“She’s not her mother. Just because you keep saying it doesn’t make it true.”
While in other situations, time seemed to slow, this time the world around me sped up. I couldn’t even take a step forward before Tate was in Ronny’s face, swinging. We heard the tell-tale crunch when his fist collided with Ronny’s nose. A woman at another table screamed but no one moved to stop the two from falling to the floor.
People began shouting and I saw Cash and my brother hurrying over, but no one stopped either man swinging their fists at each other. I dropped off my seat and moved back, going as far as I could. I was too stunned to react further. They were both insane. I could only look on in horror as Tate overpowered Ronny and slammed into him again and again.
He was out of control. Tate’s face had morphed into something I had never seen before. Ronny had finally said the right words to set him off. I couldn’t defend him anymore. I didn’t want to. His words hurt, and he knew it. He wouldn’t have said them otherwise. Drunk or not.
Finally, the bar security came over and pushed through the crowd. I peered forward and cringed away as I saw the damage. Ronny could barely open his eyes. Blood covered his face, arms, and chest. Tate looked similar, but we all knew that little to none of it had come from him. Tate’s chest was heaving as he looked at Ronny one last time. He stood, and then kicked him swiftly in the side, causing him to lurch forward and roll over on to his side.
“Get the fuck out of here,” Tate snarled.
“You’re both out of here, actually.” A firm, authoritative voice came from behind us. The entire room turned to see three police officers standing in the bar, hands on their belts. They moved forward then and quickly handcuffed both men.
As they were being read their rights and pushed out of the bar, they passed us. Tate had his head down, focused on walking. Ronny passed me and looked at me with longing in his eyes. As if he was pleading for me to take his side on this one. I shook my head and looked towards the flashing police cars. The damage was done. My heart had nothing left for Ronny McCoy.
