Chapter 18
Jayden
“You’re really going to make us hang at the bar all night? Can’t we go out to eat?”
“No.” I respond to the whining woman.
“But me and Savvy are there practically every day. Hell, Savvy’s there right now, her shifts off in an hour.” Ashlyn isn’t letting up.
We’re all going out as a group. My brothers called me and forced me into hanging out. I thought it was just going to be us but Ashlyn had other plans. She got Jack and his lady friend to babysit Mia so she could come out with us. They were already watching Danny so god help them tonight. I put up a fight saying it was guys’ night, but she yelled saying she’d tell Georgie about Cher and I lost all my fight. Fucking Ash. You make out with a cross dressing impersonator and you never live it down.
“Then we can keep her company too, Satan.” I huff. All I want is to hang out with my woman. It’s Saturday night and I know the college kids can get a little crazy and my possessive side needs to see that she’s okay.
“Josh, come on. Say something.” She chides my twin.
“Don’t drag me into this. I used to do the same thing. Shit, I still do. Let’s humor him and make sure his woman doesn’t need rescuing.” He throws his arms around her and she seems to give up.
“If everything’s okay can we go somewhere else? Actually, I think she’s off at nine. We can all head somewhere else.”
“Eight, she’s off at eight.” I mumble.
Ashlyn makes a hand gesture as if she’s cracking a whip. “Never thought I’d see the day Jayden Cage was whipped. It’s a beautiful thing.”
“I’d say something but I don’t want my twin to kick me in the nuts.”
“Whatever.” She sighs as we approach the bar.
Zander grabs the door and holds it open for us. For how early it is the place is already packed and I understand why when I see the sign for the band playing tonight. They’re actually really good. When Savvy sees us from across the room she rushes over to us saying she reserved us a booth in the back.
“I’ll meet you guys over there.”
As I walk away I can hear them making kissy noises. Juveniles.
When Georgie spots me her face lights up. She leans across the bar top to plant a kiss on my lips. “Missed you.”
“Missed you too baby. We have to get our schedules to sync up. Between work, the gym and your job I haven’t seen you in two fucking days.”
She smiles shyly. “I know. I’m off in two hours and we’re slammed. I’ll catch up with you when I get a spare second. She leans over and plants one more kiss on my lips and when she pulls back I grab the back of her head and crash her lips to mine again. “Not nearly enough.” I whisper on her lips. My tongue duels with hers for a minute before I let her get back to work. Out of the corner of my eye I notice a guy watching us. I fully turn my head so I can stare him down, getting the message across that she’s all mine. Any shot he thought he had up until this point is moot.
“Victor’s keeping me company, don’t worry. You’re the only one I have eyes for Mr. Cage.”
“Damn straight Sunshine. I’ll be right over there if you need me.”
When I get to the booth I see they ordered me a beer and I take it willingly. Stress isn’t a word I use often, but that’s become my life. Stress over work, stress over my fight, stress over the lack of hours in the day when I want to spend them all with Georgie. Maybe I am turning into a pussy?
After my first gulp my beers half gone. I need to relax and enjoy tonight. I’ve missed my brothers and maybe I’ve even missed their counterparts a little bit. So I sit and enjoy some small talk with my family all while keeping an eye out for my girl with a full beer in my hand. When Ash leaves the booth for the bathroom I bring up something I’ve been dying to say to my brothers.
“I thought she’d never leave us alone, which brings me to a big fuck you I’ve been meaning to give you. Were you talking to Z about ass play in the not so distant past?” I give Josh the eye. The you know what the fuck I’m talking about eye.
“Hmmm, doesn’t ring a bell.” He looks everywhere but at me as I hear Z trying to hold in laughter.
“Assholes, Georgie overheard and thought I wanted my ass to be shredded. She had a fucking strap on at her house and was a breath away from shoving it up my derriere.”
Josh is laughing so hard he can barely breathe. “Oh, that’s classic.”
“Classic? Oh yeah, the ol’ girlfriend has a strap on to peg me all night long. Classic.”
“In all fairness, we had no clue she was listening.”
“I know you guys are obsessed with me, but you need to be mindful of your surroundings. My poor ass couldn’t take it if something happened. A finger sure, but a fucking dildo? Hell to the motherfucking no way.” I cringe just thinking about it.
“We’ll be sure to alert the masses if we’re about to talk about you from now on. You have to admit, that shits funny.”
“What the fuck ever you bastards.” I take a swig from my drink and enjoy some music from the live band.
A little while later I notice that douchebag still has his eyes on my lady and I’ve seen him pound back about five shots in the last hour. The looks he’s been giving her almost have me out of my seat ready to take an offensive approach.
“Calm down dude, she can handle her own. And if something happens Caesars right there and the bouncers are close by.”
I know Z’s trying to calm my nerves, but the fact he knows exactly who I’m worried about makes my spidey senses tingle even more. I have never doubted my spidey senses. Just look at what happened the night I found Georgie at ROW.
“Guys, I think I’m gonna go sit at the bar for the last half hour of her shift.”
“Don’t be silly Jay. She’s fine, I’ve seen her put men double that assholes size in their place. Plus like Zander said, the bouncers are always nearby and can usually judge who’s going to be a problem.” Savvy tries to reassure me. She joined us ten minutes ago when she cut out for the night.
Listening to them, I decide to sit and watch. I watch when she brings him another shot and the way he grazes her arm before grabbing it. I watch how she pulls her arm back in disgust as the bastard smiles at her. I watch as she tries to walk away and he grabs her elbow causing her to wince. And that’s the last straw, I’m on my feet barreling towards the dead man who has his hands all over my girl.
When Georgie sees me coming, her eyes widen. They plead with me to let her deal with this, but I can’t. I want to bang on my motherfucking chest and kick the shit out of the guy that still has his hands on her delicate arm.
When I step up behind the asshole, I tap him on the back. He turns around and looks up at me, that’s right, he’s a little pip squeak. You can’t tell when he’s sitting, it’s comical.
“Wanna get your hands off my girlfriend?” My question leaves no argument.
“Dude, why are you cock blocking me? She’s totally into me!” He slurs his words.
My pulse quickens and my blood boils. I look around trying to reign in my temper and notice Josh and Zander standing up from the booth. They’ll be over here in a minute so I need to get my point across.
I bend down and get in his face. “Don’t touch what’s mine.”
The motherfucker gets chest-to-chest with me. But really, it’s chest-to-neck, and decides to run his mouth. “Don’t make me laugh. That gorgeous angel would never be with a Neanderthal like you bro. I saw her first. Back the fuck up and step off. She needs a real man.”
And that’s when I lunge for him.
***
Georgie
I can’t believe the nerve of this guy. Who does he think he is? The touch on my arm makes me cringe in disgust. After he finally take his shot after fondling my arm, I go to fill another drink. A squeezing pain just above my elbow shoots up my arm as I look back at the man responsible.
“Let go of me.”
“Don’t be like that angel. How about you give me your number, or better yet.” He leans in closer. “Let me take you out when you’re done here.” He flashes me a lopsided grin that he must think is sexy. It’s the complete opposite.
“Let go of me or I’m going to kick you out of here.” But he doesn’t let go. That’s when I notice Jayden making his way to the bar. That’s the last thing I need right now, I can handle my own. He looks angry and god knows what he’ll do. I try to plead to him with my eyes not to make a scene. My prayers fall on deaf ears.
Jayden taps him on the back and the moron finally let’s go of my arm. This situation needs to be deescalated before Jayden does something stupid. Then all hell breaks loose.
I don’t even know how it went from them talking to Jayden pummeling him so fast. But pummel he did. Hit him right in the center of his face and didn’t stop there. In an instant Jayden’s on top of the guy on the ground pounding on his face. I scream for him to stop and run around the bar trying to make my way to them. There are so many people so I have to fight my way through the crowd.
By the time I get through, everyone’s shouting and Josh and Zander are holding a seething Jayden back. Just barely. He looks like a caged animal trying to attack his prey.
“Don’t fuck with what’s mine!” He roars through the bar as my cheeks flame red over the spectacle he’s making.
“Jayden, please stop.” I plead.
Ash and Savvy come up wrapping their arms around me making sure I’m okay. I assure them I’m fine, just embarrassed and I apologize for the mess.
“It’s not your fault sweetie. He was like a ticking time bomb just waiting for something to happen.”
“She’s done, finished. No way is she working in this bar anymore.”
“Jayden!” I start to protest but he cuts me off.
“My girlfriend isn’t going to be treated like a common whore and groped by scumbags! Let me go, I’m fine.” He yells and shakes his brothers off.
“Georgie lets go.”
“I’m not done work-”
“I said let’s go. You no longer work here.”
Now I’m starting to get pissed. Who the hell does he think he is?
“Excuse me?” I question.
“You heard me, let’s go.”
“Are you gonna snap your fingers at me too? Is that what I am to you? A little puppy you own and command to obey? Who do you think you are telling me where I can and can’t work? You don’t own me.”
“Guys lets calm down and talk in the office.” Savvy tries to help out.
“Don’t Savvy. You’ve done enough. Where’s the help you said was nearby when he was practically mauling my girl? I’ll say it again, find another bartender, she’s done as of right now.”
“Jayden, that’s enough” Zander says at the same time I throw out, “fuck off.” With the noise I’m not sure he’s heard me. The only indication is the look of disbelief on his face.
“Sunshine don’t-”
“No, I’ve heard enough. What happened to you? Who is this guy? The situation was being handled! I’ve been told what to do my whole life, why do you think I’d let you start controlling me now. Is this who you really are? Was everything a façade and your asshole nature is coming to the surface now? I won’t do it again, I can’t.” Tears start to form in my eyes but I won’t cry. I promised myself a while back I’d never shed tears over this man again.
I look at Josh and then Zander. “Stop him.” Is all I say before turning and exiting the bar. There’s more time on my shift but I need to get out of here.
My name is roared throughout the bar and it almost brings me to my knees. What the hell just happened? Has everything in our relationship been a lie? Does he really think I’m a doormat, a trophy to show around and agree to his every whim?
Once I get in my car I pound on the steering wheel finally letting myself lose control. My door is pulled open and Ashlyn drops on her haunches telling me to get in the passenger seat, so I jump over the center console. I’m in no shape to drive. Savvy jumps in the back seat and shuts the door.
“Oh shit. Lock the doors.” Ash yells pushing the button to do just that. She starts the car and is about to put it in drive as a knock comes at my window startling me.
“Georgie, baby, please talk to me. I’m so sorry. Get out and just… just hear me out. Please.” The look on his face nearly does me in, but I can’t go back to the way my life used to be. He needs to know that this is a deal breaker and I won’t put up with it. What kills me is he knows what I went through and he’s acting no better than they did.
“Go.” I order Ashlyn as I stare him in the eyes so he knows what he’s done to me. He’s taking me back to the hell I had to endure my whole life. The punishments, the commands, the rules. It’s all I can think about.
Pulling out of the parking lot I know my head should remain trained on the road in front of us. But I can’t resist and I immediately regret my decision. I shouldn’t have looked back. I told myself not to for a reason, but I did anyways. I see Jayden on his knees in the parking lot with his hands clasped behind his head.
“Take me somewhere. Anywhere but home.” I plead.
“You know what always makes me feel better?” Ashlyn asks.
She tells me and I know that’s exactly what I need so we make our way to Jack’s so I can see my precious babies. Mia and Danny always put a smile on my face. They’re just the medicine I need right now.
When we walk through the front door Jack takes one look at me and I see anger flood his face. “I’m going to get my bow. Who’s ass am I kicking?”
“Dad, stand down.” Savvy urges.
“It’s been quiet around here for a while, I’m jonesing for a little action.” He looks thrilled.
“Well, if Jayden shows up you can tell him to stay the hell out of here. Is that enough action for you?” I ask.
“Not even a little. He’s a pussy, my grandson is tougher than that pansy ass.”
Laughing, I make my way over to the babies. I don’t know if Mia really qualifies as a baby anymore. It hurts my heart that she’s getting so big. I miss when I could hold her in my arms and snuggle her. She likes to be independent now and she’s too cool to snuggle with her Auntie. But Danny on the other hand, he’s only a couple months old and I can snuggle the heck out of him.
“Come here big guy.” I reach down and unbuckle him from his swing. A giant smile lights his face when he sees me.
“You’re the only man I need in my life. Don’t you go growing up on me and become all Alpha male like your daddy and uncles.”
“No promises, we all know how Zander is.” Savvy laughs.
That’s when I hear it, doors closing and Jayden shouting my name. Panic sets in because I’m not ready to see him yet. I don’t even know how I’m feeling, my emotions are too raw.
“Wipe that frown off your face Georgie girl, I’ll handle this.”
When I look up at Jack it takes everything in me to keep a straight face. He has his camo on and his arrows strapped to his back. Savvy’s told me the story of him cornering Zander at the gym, but seeing it firsthand makes me realize the story doesn’t do it justice.
“Mr. J, really?” I can tell Ashlyn’s trying not to laugh.
“Desperate times Ash, this has never failed me.” He points to his get-up then heads out the door.
I’m almost positive Jayden’s gonna come barreling through the door at any second demanding to talk to me.
“He’s not gonna make it in here you know. My dad can be very persuasive.” I look at Savvy.
“I have no doubt. Bad ass was radiating out of his pores.” We laugh.
“He does look pretty crazy, huh?”
“Just a little.” I pinch my fingers together.
“How’s about we get the kids and head on back to my place. I’ll make sure Josh keeps him away and I have margaritas!”
“I’m in!”
I’m hoping tomorrow brings something new, but for tonight, I don’t want to deal with it. I want to hang out with my girls and forget every horrible moment.
Later that night after I’ve had way too much to drink I retire to the guest bedroom. My phone died a few hours ago so I put it on the charger. When it comes to life I have a text message. Just one.
The man, the myth, the legend: I’m so sorry. I would never do anything to intentionally hurt you and I’d never want to control you. I don’t know what that was or where it came from. Fuck Georgie, sometimes I lose my mind when I’m around you. Please, please, give me another chance. Let me explain. Please, don’t give up on me.
I don’t respond. I can’t, I need to think on it when my heads not spinning. So, until tomorrow, I’ll sleep and pretend this whole night never happened.