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“How do you know that?”
“Because I spent the other night at his place, and I woke up to arms flailing and him talking in his sleep, sweating up a storm. Do you have any clue how it makes me feel when I ask him about it, and he just says it’s nothing, and not to worry about it? We both suffered a loss. I just don’t think it’s fair that he feels I should talk to him, but he won’t talk to me. That is just a double-edged sword. What am I supposed to do?”
Cara looked at me, sadness in her eyes. I knew she had the best intentions coming here, but she was opening a territory she knew very little about. Jackson and I had kept most of this part of our troubles secret. I knew she was aware of exactly why we parted ways, but neither of us had truly shared everything openly with our friends. She was about to say something when the door opened and three couples walked in, followed by another two. I had never been happier to see people than I was at that moment. This was a conversation I couldn’t have right now.
“I’ll be right back.” I said, signaling to the empty tables while grabbing a pile of menus.
* * *
The dinner rush went off with little excitement, and I was so happy to see Carly, instead of Marcus, walk in at eight. Tonight was the pool league, and we knew it would be busy. Glenn was in the back, I was at the bar, and Carly was delivering drinks to tables when the door opened and in walked the same three guys from the Green Cobras. The same three who had caused all the trouble a few months ago.
Immediately, I walked to the back and pulled Glenn out front, leaving Marcus to stock the cooler alone.
“Glenn, those guys are back.” I wasn’t in the mood to deal with trouble tonight as I glanced over my shoulder to see the one watching me.
“Why don’t you head on your last break, and I will watch the bar,” Glenn said, taking over at the drink station.
I nodded. “Thanks.” I grabbed a container of fries and a soda from the kitchen and headed out the side door to the back alley. The cold winter air felt good against my warm skin, and I parked myself on the metal stairs of the fire escape. I sat there eating the hot fries and sipping on the soda, while sending texts to Cara, when I heard a low whistle come from behind me. A chill ran through me as I turned around to look over my shoulder.
“What do we have here?” I recognized Garrick immediately as his eyes locked on me. He slowly walked toward me, taking me in.
I could feel the panic rising in my chest as he came closer, but I did my best to keep a level head. I looked him over, taking in the colors on the patch of his jacket, to the chain that went from his belt loop to his wallet.
“Nothing. We have nothing here.”
“Doesn’t look like nothing to me.” His eyes ran the length of my body, giving me the creeps. “You’re a pretty little thing, you know that. You were here the other night, weren’t you? I’d certainly like to get to know you a lot better.”
I stood up and backed up, putting a little space between us, and slowly made my way back toward the side door. I was just about to pull the door open when his hand gripped my arm. He spun me around, causing me to drop my food and drink and there, pressed against the wall, he placed one hand on each side of my body. I could smell the booze pouring off his breath as he leaned into me.
“What’s your name?” he hissed into my ear. He was close enough to me I could feel his breath against my skin.
I could barely breathe as he ran his rough ringed fingers down my cheek.
“Bailey,” I cried, paralyzed with fear. As his eyes locked with mine, I realized I hadn’t mentioned to anyone that I was coming out back for my break, which meant no one knew I was out here. I could taste the bile in the back of my throat as panic filled me.
“You got a boyfriend?” he questioned, his lips practically touching my ear as he whispered the words. I felt his fingers run across my bare skin, between my shirt and the waist of my jeans.
I closed my eyes tightly; every nerve in my body was on high alert as he continued touching me. “Yes,” I whimpered.
“Oh yeah? What’s his name?” His fingers continued dancing across my bare skin.
“Jackson,” I whimpered.
“Jackson, huh?”
“Yeah,” I said, doing my best to keep my voice strong. It was no use. I knew I was failing at that.
“Hmmm, you know what? I think you are lying to me.”
I closed my eyes as his thumb grazed the underside of my breast.
“Get away from her, Garrick.,” I heard a familiar deep voice say.
“Hey, buddy, why don’t you just fuck off?”
I kept my eyes closed. I was immobilized, filled with fear. I did not know who was in the alley with us or where they had come from, but I prayed it took this guy’s concentration from me. However, when I felt his finger trail down my cheek again, I figured the guy had probably taken off, leaving me to fend for myself.
“I will not tell you again, Garrick, get away from her.” I peered from one eye and saw Jackson, in his uniform, standing in the doorway.
