Page 38 of Dance for Me

A knight in tattoos

Owen and Jazz stared, more like glared at Doug while Vanessa sat with him at the bar. She watched as Owen wiped an already dry glass a million times over again and he hadn't taken his scowling look off Doug since they got there. Okay, so maybe this wasn’t a great idea.

She was hopeful for Jazz, though because she was too sweet to be mean. Vanessa shot her a look with hope but no, she wore the same expression that Owen had. She looked back to Doug, who was sitting there looking like a deer in headlights.

“C’mon guys, can you stop scaring him please?”

Owen whipped his head to her, “Oh, I’m sorry love, are we making him uncomfortable?” The sarcasm oozed from his lips.

“Yes, as a matter of fact you are.”

He threw his towel down, “Good.”

“Maybe I should just go.”

This time, Jazz chimed in. “That’s probably for the best, especially before Jack sees him.” She looked at Vanessa.

Vanessa slammed her drink down. “No, we’re not leaving. He can be here with me if he wants to be.”

Owen rolled his eyes and he turned to address the customer sitting at the end of the bar and he muttered, “His funeral,” before leaving.

“What the fuck?”

Vanessa froze mid drink when she heard Jack’s deep growl of a voice behind her. It was enough for Owen and Jazz and the customers around the bar to stop and watch. Jack, however, didn’t waste any time, he went straight for Doug and lifted him by the back of his shirt. Doug was now being held like a ragdoll in Jack’s grip.

“What. The. Fuck. Are you doing in my club?” Jack said with pure rage.

Vanessa shot up from her seat and grabbed Jack’s arm. “Jack… let him go, now.”

He shot a look to Vanessa, nostrils flaring. “Are you shitting me right now? You’re here with this piece of shit?”

Doug didn’t do anything but stay there lifelessly in Jack’s hold. He did raise both of his hands in a defense. “Hey man, I’m not here to cause any trouble. Vanessa invited me.”

Jack looked back to Doug and let him go. Then, he turned enough so that he was facing him with the front of his body. Jack was in his face, tops of their shoes touching and she saw Doug swallow in a nervous gulp.

“I don’t give a shit why you’re here, it’s the fact that you are. And I thought I told you if I ever saw you with her again that you would regret it. So, here we are.”

Vanessa watched as Jack’s hands clenched into tight fists at his sides. She needed to step in and step in fast.

She squeezed in between the two men. Jack clearly towered way above Doug. Probably had three inches on him, at least.

Vanessa rested a hand to Jack’s chest. Even now, stopping Jack from pounding Doug’s face in, her body still reacted to every touch. He glanced down at her and then to her hand. His expression began to soften.

“Do you really think that low of yourself Vanessa?”

“Excuse me?” She said without any kindness from her voice and she removed her hand from his stone wall. “And what the hell is that supposed to mean?”

“It means that you must think so shitty of yourself, that you would stoop so low as to hang out with someone who doesn’t deserve any ounce of your damn time.”

His words hit her deep and she felt a pain in her chest. Like the day he told her nothing could happen between them. “Well, you don’t have to be concerned anymore because we’re leaving.”

Vanessa turned around, grabbed Doug’s hand and led them out of the bar. She did look back before she walked out and Jack was standing there watching her leave. Owen and Jazz did the same.

She felt the night breeze as they walked out, giving her some sense of calmness. “I’m so sorry Doug, I didn’t mean for that to happen and I didn’t know Jack would react that way or I never would have brought you here.”

He shook his head, “Hey, it’s cool. Besides, I get why they’re upset. They’re just looking out for you, especially Jack.” Doug lost his smile as soon as he mentioned Jack.

She sighed, “Yeah, I suppose they are.”

---