Chapter Fourteen
Hannah
“Clae, what are you doing here?” I feel instantly reassured as Jeremy puts a protective arm around my shoulders.
We pause on the sidewalk, while people walk by on their way out for the night. We are just walking a short distance from Bernando’s entrance when Clae shows up. I start to wonder if he has been following me. This is the second work drinks event I am attending where he coincidentally shows up, even though he doesn’t work at BHI.
His outfit catches my eyes as he says, “Just headed out for the night.” He is dressed in black chinos and a navy dress shirt, showing off his muscles and tanned skin, suggesting he really is going out for the night.
But is he really?
His gaze travels up and down my body, his eyes fixating on the arm around my shoulders, as if recalling where he has seen Jeremy before. “Are the two of you in a relationship now?” he asks, his voice cold as ice.
It feels as though ice is slithering down my spine. “Uhh…” I stammer, but panic takes over and I can’t find the right words. My heart is pounding in my ears like a drum.
“Yeah, mate.” Jeremy’s arm tightens around me, no longer casual, but protective. “What’s it to you?”
Feeling a sense of discomfort at Jeremy’s foolishness, unaware of the possible consequences his statement might have on Clae, I desperately search for a response that will resolve the situation without aggravating it and come up with nothing.
Eyes moving from me to Jeremy, Clae shakes his head as he says, “Of course you’re together,” he scoffs. “You sleep with me and then a few days later, you move on to the next guy.” He venomously spits out the last word, “Typical.”
Jeremy steps in front of me, shielding me from Clae, and says, “That’s totally uncalled for, mate.”
If I’m not so panicked, I would be dwelling on Clae’s words and how they might sound to Jeremy. He makes me come across as a slut, and I don’t want him to perceive me that way, but at the moment, I am preoccupied with his intense stare at Jeremy, assessing him.
“Finally, this explains why you stop returning my calls, Hannah,” he spits. Anger is boiling inside of me.
Gathering my courage, I sidestep Jeremy and lash out. “Shut the fuck up, Clae, we haven’t been together for over six months. You walked away, don’t forget. You left and now that I’ve finally moved on, you won’t leave me alone.” My eyes are burning from rage and unshed tears, but I don’t stop. “Move on already and just leave me be.”
“Please, Hannah, don’t be like that,” he begs, his personality shifting yet again. “I admit I made a mistake leaving you, and I want to go back to how things were before.” The words I’ve longed to hear for so long make my stomach churn in revulsion.
What did I ever see in him ?
“Alright, mate, I think it’s best for you to leave her alone and walk away,” Jeremy says, the tension in his body palpable.
“Or what?” Clae steps towards Jeremy, making my heart seize in my chest.
Please, no.
“Please, let’s not make this worse. Just leave,” Jeremy pleads, but as he turns back toward me, Clae’s fist connects with his face, causing me to scream.
The blow sends Jeremy stumbling backwards, and as I rush towards him, he moves quickly and tackles Clae, causing them both to fall. Jeremy and Clae begin throwing punches, grappling on the cement and exchanging blows.
Witnessing a fight for the first time makes me realize I never want to see one again.
I begin shouting desperately for help from people passing by. The bouncer from Bernando’s and a couple of passers-by rush over from the street to separate the fight. Clae is being forcefully taken away by the bouncer, while the other guys help Jeremy stand.
As the bouncer continues to drag Clae away down the street, I start yelling abuse at him and Jeremy comes rushing to my side. His ripped shirt exposes a nasty graze on his tanned abs.
Clae yells, “Fuck you, Hannah,” as he is escorted away from us. After the other guys are sure that Clae is a good distance away, I thank them and send them on their way.
“Are you alright?” Jeremy brings me back to reality with his question. “You’re visibly trembling.”
“Why did you do that?” I whisper and notice the aftermath of the fight as I turn to face him.
“Oh my god, Jeremy, your lip is bleeding,” I exclaim, rushing towards him. With a wince, he prevents me from wiping the blood away and guides my hand to rest on his cheek instead. His cheeks are flushed and his skin feels warm to the touch.
Tears well up in my eyes and my throat is tight as I say, “I am so sorry.”
“Don’t apologize,” he whispers, leaning in to my touch as we lock eyes, everything else fading into the background. “I’m sorry for how I acted.”
“You didn’t have to fight him,” I whisper. “Your lip is bleeding pretty heavily, Jere,” I comment, just as a drop of blood falls onto his torn, white shirt.
“I couldn’t allow him to talk to you like that,” he says, wiping up the blood with the hem of his ruined shirt. “Plus, I’m fine,” he adds, brushing off my concern.
“No, you need first aid,” I say, searching my bag for my phone and glancing up once I find it. “I’m ordering an Uber and we’re going back to my place to clean up that lip.”
Jeremy insists, “I’m honestly fine, Hannah,” shrugging me off again.
“Please, just let me take care of you, Jeremy,” I say, tears welling up again as I quickly book the Uber to hide my fear from him. I’m terrified. I don’t want him to see that my only concern is his safety.