Page 60 of The Game

“Don’t call the cops.” He has the audacity to beg for leniency. “I’ll leave. I won’t bother you anymore, Jazz.” He swipes at the blood dripping from his nose. Just as I thought. He’s a bully, but only with people he thinks are weaker than him. No way he’ll try anything again if I’m around. Joke’s on him, though. Jazz is stronger than both of us. She broke free from him. Told him to hit the road and leave her alone, and I’m sure she would have figured a way out of this situation even if I hadn’t showed up. But I’m still glad I did. I’m glad I was able to protect her.

He staggers a couple of steps away.

“How did you even get in here, Darryl?” Jazz asks.

“I walked,” he mumbles. “Was at Niche for a party. Thought you’d want some company on Halloween. Turns out you’re still the stuck-up bitch I thought you were.”

“Are you fucking kidding me? Was that not enough for you? Want some more? I could do this all night, asshole.” I advance on him again, and he backs away, hands in the air.

“No, no. I’m going.”

“Apologize before you go.” Jazz grabs my arm as I take another step toward him. “Apologize to my girlfriend, shit for brains.”

“I’m sorry. I’m sorry.” He says, his entire body clenched in fear.

“Good. And don’t come back here. Ever. Don’t look at her. Don’t come near her or I’ll make sure you don’t walk out of here on your own two feet next time.”

He finally fucks off and I step into her apartment, the door rattling in its frame from the force of me slamming it shut and locking it behind him.

I run a shaky hand through my hair, afraid to look at her. Afraid of seeing that look of terror in her eyes again.

“Let me just...” She walks away, while I stand there unsure if I should leave or sit down. I’m definitely not doing the thing I came over here for now.

I hear the water running while she’s in the bathroom and then she emerges, looking much more composed than before, with a bright red bag in her hands.

“Sit down.”

I obey her, collapsing on the couch. My knees were about to give out on me, anyway. She pulls my hand away from my head with a gentle touch and I hear the zipping sound.

“Look at me Cole.”

I finally do. Opening my eyes to see her staring at me with concern as she holds my large hand in her small, cool one. She’s got an antibiotic wipe which she swipes across my cracked knuckles. I hiss in pain at the sting, but at the same time I relishit. Pain in my body helps ground me, taking my mind off the anger still gripping me.

The fear is gone in her eyes, but so is the lust and the soft anticipation that was there earlier. She’s wary of me now. I wish she’d never seen that side of me.

“Thank you. I’m glad you showed up. I don’t know what would have happened if you hadn’t.”

“I’m glad too. Glad I could be there for you.”

She wraps a bandage around my knuckles, giving me a soft smile.

“You’re all patched up. You should probably head home now.”

“Are you sure you don’t want me to stay? Do you want to talk about it? I really hate to leave you like this.” The truth is, I don’t want to be alone with my own thoughts right now. I need to be here with her. She keeps me calm and level.

“I think I need to be alone right now.”

The words are a blow to my gut, taking my air away. It may be what I was expecting, but that doesn’t make it hurt any less.

“Are you sure? That was a lot.”

“I know, Cole. That’s why I need to be alone.” Her tone doesn’t allow for any argument.

“Okay, I’ll go.”

I stand up to leave, and she stops me with a hand on my shoulder. “I’ll message you with the details of the auction.”

Right the auction. We agreed to participate for her, and she still wants me there, so that’s a good sign. Maybe not what I was looking for, but at least we’re still something. Friends, fakeboyfriend and girlfriend, but at least it’s something. I’ll take any crumb right now.

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