29. Blair
29
Blair
I find myself teetering between annoyance and appreciation as Ford lands a punch on the irritating creep who insisted on grabbing my attention by any means necessary.
If there’s one thing I’m sure of, it’s that Ronnie and I easily could have handled this on our own. Between the two of us, we’re more than capable of dealing with a handsy asshole. However, Ford rushed in out of nowhere, like some kind of modern knight in shining armor on his white horse as he attempted to swiftly take matters into his own hands—literally.
Sure, very deep down, yes, it’s cute to know that he cares, especially since he’s normally the guy who wouldn’t hurt a fly. Hell, I’ve witnessed him carefully catch spiders and release them outside, valuing their freedom over their demise. Normally I’m all for a good smashing, especially when it comes to both spiders and creepy dudes, but this felt more than a little unnecessary.
The last thing we needed was for complete chaos to break out, as many people rushed in, putting themselves between the two men. In fact, Ford was pretty lucky so many intervened, since it was pretty obvious the man was ready to go balls to the wall on Ford to a pulp for taking that hit, and he very much had the capability to do so. There was still plenty of yelling, cursing, and shoving going on, but luckily it all came to a halt pretty quickly, especially once the bar’s security took over and escorted the man out.
Thankfully, they didn’t kick us out as well, but given that the man had clearly been over-served and had been bothering more than just us, we were issued a stern warning instead.
With things settling down, I feel a powerful urge to unleash my anger on Ford, especially with the risk of Ronnie or another bridesmaid getting hurt amidst all the chaos only days away from the wedding. However, as I glance at Ford, with clear signs of guilt and frustration etched on his face, it’s obvious he’s already beating himself up enough for the both of us.
My eyes immediately fall to the hand that he’s attempting to cradle and hide. My stern demeanor disappears as I take a step forward and pull his hand toward me.
“Shit, Ford.” I frown, my eyes taking in the already bruised and swollen knuckles.
“Yeah, I think I may have underestimated the fact that my hand was likely going to end up in just as much pain as the guy’s face. Then again, given how strong that guy’s jaw was, I’m starting to wonder if I even caused any damage at all,” he admits with a forced smile, which he displays in an obvious attempt to disguise the discomfort he’s clearly feeling.
“Well, given the fact that the guy and his buddies are gone, it’s clear your brutish display of manhood worked to some effect,” I offer, nodding toward the exit. “And if anything, you should just be happy that we aren’t being escorted out of here tonight with them.”
While I’m sure it would’ve been a memorable story that we’d laugh about in the future whenever we talked about Ronnie’s bachelorette party, I have to imagine that current Ronnie wouldn’t be all that happy about having to end the night a little early if things had gone differently.
This place has always been special to the two of us, and was even where we got the most use out of our fake IDs when we were younger. Coming here tonight felt like the perfect and only way to celebrate one of my best friend’s last nights as a single woman, and I can't bear the thought of something tarnishing the memory of such a permanent fixture in our lives.
Not to mention, she looks absolutely breathtaking in her bride-to-be outfit, and it would be such a shame if she couldn’t flaunt it to the fullest.
“I’d hate myself forever if that had been the case,” he says, his frown somehow deepening. “I honestly don’t even know what I was thinking. One second I was watching that guy approach you from the other side of the room, and the next thing I knew I was marching over there. I just lost complete control, and I’m so sorry.”
“Well, next time, before you run out there acting like Rocky Balboa, maybe take some boxing lessons first,” I playfully suggest, before reaching for his good hand and lead him toward the bar.
Despite the bartenders’ evident displeasure at our disruptive behavior, they begrudgingly provide us with a baggie filled with ice.
“How about you head out back, and I’ll go and talk with the girls and meet you in a few?” I suggest, as he solemnly nods his head, all the fight taken out of him.
While he makes his way to the back exit, I take a moment to let out a steadying breath before I head back toward our table.
“How is he?” Gemma asks once she notices me approaching.
“He’s fine. His hand and ego are both a little bruised though. Honestly, the guy is lucky he didn’t bust his thumb or something,” I add, somewhat trying to make light of the situation as I attempt to smile. “How are you, though?” I ask, turning my full attention to Ronnie.
“A little shaken up, but nothing another drink can’t fix, right?” she asks, and while she also seems to be making light of the situation, I can tell she is exactly what she just said she is—shaken and on edge.
I nod, especially since I could use a drink myself to settle my frazzled nerves.
Ronnie grabs my hands, as if sensing this is something we both need. “Do me a favor and go take care of Ford, okay?” she asks. “We both know our boy is likely beating himself up right about now, and that is the last thing I want. The night isn’t ruined. If anything, we’re only getting started.”
“And we’ll take care of our girl here, so no worries there either,” Maeve adds, as she wraps an arm around Ronnie’s shoulder.
“Alright. I’ll be back,” I say, giving Ronnie’s hand a reassuring squeeze before I release it and make my way out back to check on Ford and his injured hand.
Opening the door to the back, I immediately spot him leaning against the brick wall of the building.
“Is she pissed?”
I shake my head. “No. She’s fine. We’re all fine, and if anything, we’re all likely more concerned and worried about you. The last thing we need is our one and only bridesman down and out.”
“I just feel like an idiot. What if I’d gotten punched, or worse, gotten one of you caught in the crossfire? I can’t believe I was so fucking stupid,” he growls, kicking at the ground, clearly still beating himself up over all of this.
I reach out and place my hand tenderly on his cheek, letting the pad of my thumb lightly caress it as I force him to look at me. “None of that happened. We’re all okay, and that asshole is gone. Please, just stop worrying.”
He lets out a loud sigh. “Me? Stop worrying? I’m pretty sure I was built to carry the worry for all three of us.”
“Well, maybe it’s time you stop doing that, since if anything, you’re now the rebel and defender of the crew,” I tease, my thumb still spinning soft circles. “Who would’ve ever expected me to be the responsible one?”
“Not me,” he jokes, the beginnings of a smile slowly making its way onto his face.
“Honestly, not me either,” I laugh. Sure, maybe I’ve been able to move out and take care of myself these past ten years, but when you spend your life on tour with different bands as you travel the world, you tend to make some pretty stupid decisions, especially when it comes to a certain drummer.
“I can’t say I totally hate it. You’re here now, and allowing me to be the guy that takes you home and to bed at night, so that’s at least a pleasant change.”
“I have to say, it is a little weird to finally have your full and undivided attention,” I agree, my face relaxing into another smile.
“Honestly, you’ve almost always had my full attention. As hard as I tried to be a good husband to Jenny, I think she’s always been right, whether I wanted to admit it or not. Even with you far away and not even living in Evergreen Grove, I was never able to fully let you go. Deep down, I always knew you were the one for me. My only regret is that I wasted so much damn time fighting my feelings for you when I should’ve surrendered to them a long time ago.”
My heart bubbles over with a comforting warmth, especially since his words reflect my own truth so well. “It wasn’t just you.” I shrug, dropping my hand from his cheek as I lean back against the wall next to him. “I was so terrified of messing things up like I always seemed to do, and I couldn’t do that to us. Our friendship was too important to me.”
“Yeah,” he nods. “I felt that same pressure. I think that’s why I clung on so tightly to Jenny. I never felt for her what I felt for you, but she could occasionally make me think that I could distract myself enough to forget about you for a little while, even if that was incredibly selfish of me. I hate that I hurt so many people by denying what was in front of me the whole damn time.”
I wrinkle my nose. While it’s nice to hear that I’ve always been his number one, just like he was mine, I don’t exactly love hearing about his time with Jenny. “Can we maybe not talk about your soon-to-be ex-wife?” I suggest. “Don’t get me wrong, I’m glad to know where you stood all those years, especially since I felt something similar, but it kind of brings the vibes down, you know?”
A very soft chuckle leaves his lips as he nods his head in agreement. “So, what should we talk about instead?” he asks, a suggestive lilt to his tone as he pins me down with a devilish stare.
“We could always talk about how you’re planning on making all of this up to me.”
“I could get behind that. I also have a few things in mind that could maybe work.”
“While I’m sure that your ways are probably just as fun, I think I already have something pretty specific in mind,” I tease, leaning toward him, giving his ear a light nip in the process.
“At this point, I’d do just about anything for you, Blair,” he says, closing his eyes as his head leans back against the wall.
“Anything?” I ask, needing to make sure.
“Anything.”
“Perfect,” I say, grabbing the wrist of the hand holding the ice as I take him by surprise and pull him with me back toward the door. “Because I want you to dance with me.”
“Wait,” he says, resisting my pull. “When I said anything…”
I blink my large lashes and give him my best, most purposeful pout. “You mean you don’t want to make things up to me?”
“Fuck.” He gives in with a large, dramatic sigh despite the huge grin on his face. “Fine. I give in. You win. I did say I’d do anything, even if that includes making a fool of myself on that dance floor.”
“I mean, you already did it once tonight; what’s the harm in doing it a second time?” I joke, and he rolls his eyes.
“Just know, this is a one-time deal only, so you better enjoy it,” he says, taking initiative and walking ahead to reach the door first before opening it for me.
“Oh, believe me,” I assure him, letting myself inside, “I’m going to enjoy every single second of it.”