Take a Breath(64)

I wince a little. “I’m really sorry about that, John. I only recently found out myself that he did this.”

“It’s okay, Ana,” he smiles. “I felt I deserved it to be honest. I thought it was a good idea to stay away from you for a while until the dust settles. I haven’t stopped thinking about you though. I want us to hang out, Ana... wait, I’m not doing this right am I? I mean, I want to ask you out—you know—on a proper date. I really do like you. A lot.”

Oh dear, maybe coming here wasn’t a good idea. I swig the rest of my drink down for Dutch courage. I hate being put in these situations. First Tony, now this.

“John, I can’t. I have to be honest with you. I’m seeing someone.” The look of disappointment rose in his face.

“Oh, I see,” he said, looking away.

Jackson then decides to make his presence known. “John, you’re not doing your job properly—look the lovely lady’s drink is empty. What will you have lovely, Ana?”

I jump as a familiar sexy voice comes from behind me.

“She will be having nothing from you, asshole. I’m taking her home.”

Oh shit, am I in trouble. I spin my bar stool around and notice John moving a couple of steps away. He really is intimidated. Jackson however, doesn’t seem the type to know when to quit.

“Hey, who do you think you are ordering the lady around?”

Jackson puts his hand on my shoulder and I immediately clam up. Oh double shit.

Wrong move Jackson.

Jake—as if on cue—comes over to the man and grabs his hand and squeezes tightly. Jackson’s bravado is immediately lost, as he lets out a yelp and bends over.

Jake then leans over him and whispers in his ear, “You fucking lay your hands off her, or next time it will be your balls I grab. Do you get what I’m saying, asshole?”

Jackson nods frantically and Jake lets go of his hand. He glares over at John—a look of thunder on his face—which makes John inadvertently step back even further.

Jackson’s face is as red as a beetroot as he frantically rubs his wrist and tries to control his breathing.

Jake then stands to face me expectantly. “Out now, Ana.”

I sit rooted to the chair and just about everyone in the bar is watching the spectacle. Jessie’s looking stunned, but utterly fascinated by the whole thing. I still sit.

“Ana, do as you’re told,” he orders.

I couldn’t help myself. It must have been the drink making me brave. I smirk at him. With that big mistake, Jake grabs me and hurls me over his shoulder.

“Jessie, you too. I’m taking you home.”

Jessie quickly does as she’s told and grabs both her bag and mine. Jake throws some money on the table for Sam and drags me out of the bar despite my protests.

He crosses over the road, with me still propped up over his shoulder and Jessie running along silently amused behind us. He plonks me down in front of his car and looks to Jessie.

“I thought I could trust you of all people, Jessie.”

The madness erupts. “Don’t you dare take this out on Jessie. She’s done nothing wrong. You’re a fucking control freak.”

Jake, red faced looks at me and waves his finger. “I would rather be a control freak and have you safe, than to find you dead in an alley somewhere. You got that? And stop fucking swearing.”

“Argh, I hate you sometimes!” I scream, as I stamp my foot.

“Good, now get in the fucking car. You too, Jessie,” he barks.

We both get in as Jessie tries to calm the situation. “Jake, don’t be mad at us. It was just a quick drink and those guys at the bar were harmless. We weren’t going to accept a drink from them. They hadn’t been there long before you came in.”

Jakes starts the car and makes his way out of the parking lot. “Jessie, I appreciate what you’re trying to do, but it’s not washing with me at the moment, okay?”

We all sit in uncomfortable silence for what seems like an eternity, until eventually Jake pulls in to the Sunnyside apartment complex, in Fairfax.

I get out the car with Jessie, as she thanks Jake for taking her home.

We give each other a hug and she whispers, “Are you going to be okay?”

I nod at her and we say our goodbyes. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”

Jessie heads off and I climb back in the car. I look over towards Jake, still feeling as mad as hell, and sensing he feels the same. He won’t look at me and his hands are tightly wound over the steering wheel. Is he still going to be this way even after the killer’s caught? I have to wonder.

He pulls away still not looking at me or uttering a word. As Jake reverses into the garage, I quickly get out as he stops and I let myself in. Matthew isn’t here, but I remember he has football practice at 5pm on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, so that’s where he will be right now. I rush up to my room and slam the door not wanting to see or speak to Jake.