“Yes, mom. His name is Jack and he is very good to me.” I breathed out a sign of relief as I finally spoke the truth.
“Where did you meet him?”
Shit, shit. I was completely unprepared for that one. “I met him at work, mom.” I was too mortified to tell my mother than I met a man on what was supposed to be my honeymoon.
“Oh, so you work with him.”
From the frying pan to the fire. “Sort of. Look mom, my doorbell just buzzed. I have to run.”
“Okay, but I am thinking of coming down for a weekend, maybe next weekend?”
Oh god, what have I done. “Sure, mom. Call me during the week. I have to run.”
I kicked myself as I got ready for work for not being better prepared for my call with my mom. I had her worried and was going to be subjected to grueling in person interrogation.
The night went by fast and the club was pretty quiet for a Thursday. It was almost midnight and we were on our final song when I caught him staring at me from his seat at the bar. Michael. What the hell was the asshole doing at the club? I looked away, but it was too late, he knew that I saw him. I finished up and he wasted no time in making his way to the stage.
“Why are you here?” I wasn’t even going to pretend to be courteous.
“I needed to speak to you and you won’t return my calls Syd.” Michael took a step toward me and I took one back. I knew Travis was at my side before I actually saw him just from the look on Michael’s face.
“It’s okay Travis, I know him. But thank you.” I smiled wearily at Travis to reassure him.
I saw a look of relief on Michael’s face as Travis nodded and walked back to start packing up. “What do you want Michael. Why do you keep calling me? “ My voice was low to keep Travis under control, but I made no mistake that I was angry.
“Can we talk?” A pause as he searched my face for something. “Please?”
I exhaled loudly. “Fine, but I have pack up, so you can wait.”
Michael nodded and went to wait by the bar.
I took my time packing up and had to reassure Travis I was okay three more times before he would leave. There were still a few stragglers in the club, so at least I wouldn’t have to be alone with Michael.
Eventually I walked over to the bar, even though I dreaded looking at Michael, no less having a conversation in my place of work with him.
“Do you want a shot of tequila?” It annoyed me that he knew that I did, but I refused to give him the satisfaction of knowing how well he knew me.
“No.” I stood a few feet from him as he sat on the bar stool.
“Can we sit at a table so that we have privacy? Please?” Michael looked to the bartender standing a few feet away and back to me.
I walked to an empty table a few feet from the bar and sat without saying a word, leaving him to follow me like a puppy.
Michael sat and I stared at him, waiting for the reason he was in New York, the reason he was at my job. He looked uncomfortable as he sat there looking back at me. He reached for my hand as he spoke. “Syd, I don’t know where to start. I’m so sorry and I need you.”
I pulled my hand away from his like his was on fire and I was burned. I was suddenly passed angry and closer to irate. I stood and spoke loudly “Is that why you came here?”
Michael jumped from his seat and reached out to grab my arm. “Syd, talk to me. You know…”
“Get your fucking hands off of her.” I heard Jack’s voce before I even saw him.
Michael turned toward the voice and didn’t see it coming. Jack’s fist collided with Michael’s cheekbone and I heard a loud crack. Michael fell onto the table and struggled to regain his footing.#p#分页标题#e#
“What the hell?” Michael mumbled as he stood holding his cheek.
Jack’s arm reached out and pulled behind him and he took a step closer into Michael’s face. “It didn’t look like she wanted you touching her.”
Michael looked to me, confused. “Syd, who is this guy?”
The whole thing happened so fast, I just stood there looking at Michael.
“Babe, are you okay?” Jack’s voice was softer when he spoke to me, but the anger was still there.
“I’m okay, he didn’t hurt me.”
“Babe? Who is this guy Syd?” Michael’s voice was angry. Did the asshole really think he could show up to my job to apologize after what he did to me and then get jealous and angry?
“He’s my boyfriend Michael, as if it was any of your business!”
“Michael?” Jack looked to me for confirmation if it was that Michael. I just shook my head.
I didn’t expect Jack to be happy to have met Michael, but I also didn’t expect him to haul off and punch him again. The second punch landed on Michael’s nose and blood flew everywhere.