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“We’re friends?”
“I’d like to be.” Stuart ran thick fingers through his hair, tugging on the ends. “Very much.” Suddenly he looked boyish and shy. Nothing at all like the Beast.
“I’d like that, too.”
We held each other’s gaze, my grip on his arm tightening slightly. A yell made us both jump. Stephen was now standing in front of Caroline, who was giving him a piece of her mind. Stephen laughed, looking up at the ceiling and shook his head. He moved closer to her, saying something. With a cry of rage, Caroline threw her drink in his face.
Stephen roared, swearing and calling her names, and smashed his glass to the ground.
“Oh fuck,” I muttered as we both moved towards them.
“Just get out of here, Stephen!” James appeared beside Caroline. “Leave her alone!”
Calls from the crowd of “Ohhh! Ahhh!” and “Fight, fight, fight!” meant I could barely hear James and Stephen’s exchange.
“Or what, James?” Stephen taunted him. “Wouldn’t want tae do anything that will ruin your reputation on social media, would you?”
James balled his hand into a fist but Stuart put himself between them.
“Stephen!” Stuart roared, silencing all conversations. “Ye were asked to leave. So, go!”
Stephen laughed, moving away towards the door with his hands up. Once he was out of Stuart’s reach, he yelled to the crowd. “Arsehole got me fired!” He sneered at me and then pointed at Caroline. “And she’s a frigid bitch!”
James pushed Stuart aside and Stephen tackled him to the ground, knocking drinks out of customers’ hands. Glasses crashed to the ground, spraying Stephen and James with beer and wine, as shouts and cheers went up from the crowd.
Patrons jostled me away from Stuart to watch the fight. I managed to shove my way through to Caroline, who swiped at tears running down her face. Her friends watched the altercation, oblivious to Caroline’s distress.
“Here, take these.” I found tissues in my clutch and handed her several.
“Oh God, why did I date that arsehole?” Fresh tears rolled down Caroline’s cheeks. “And now two McAlister men are fighting him because of me.”
I whipped my head around to see Stuart enter the fight. He’d discarded his suit jacket and rolled up his sleeves. He roared at everyone to get back and make way for the pub owner. With one hand, he grabbed James by the collar and hauled him off Stephen, leaving himself open to a flying punch. It glanced off his jaw, his head snapping back, as he crashed into a table. Chip baskets, more glasses and handbags went flying.
Stephen howled in pain, shaking his hand.
Stuart shook his head, stretching his jaw.
“Feel better now, Stephen, now that ye’ve clocked ye arsehole boss?” he grinned. My heart pounded. Stuart must have a chin like concrete.
Stephen bared his teeth but didn’t get a chance to react.
“Break it up, break it up!” The burly pub owner stepped between them. Stephen lunged for Stuart and James but the owner gave him a shove towards the door, yelling for him to get lost.
“Ye alright, man?” He clapped Stuart on the shoulder as the crowd booed but moved away with excited chatters and calls for more drinks.
“Aye, I’m good. Thanks, Rab.” Stuart touched his split lip gingerly, as both men came over to us. “Got a hard head.”
“You’re bleeding!” My heart pounded, partly in horror and partly from exhilaration. “Are you sure you’re alright?”
“Aye, hen, I’m fine. Had worse in a rugby scrum.” He sucked on his lip before continuing to Caroline. “Are ye okay?”
James approached us, his suit ruined from drinks, hot chips and glass splattered all over.
“Caroline, can I get ye anything?” James offered her his hand and she stood up, clutching the tissues. “Another drink?”
Caroline’s dress was drenched in daiquiri. She tried to speak but all that came out was a squeak.
“I think we need to visit the little girl’s room and clean up.”
