Page 32 of Branded Hearts

Before rejoining the girls, I decide to make a short trip back to the bar to order another drink. I’m feeling a little parched, and well, why not? More alcohol probably isn’t the best idea, but who cares? It’s Friday night, and I have no other plans for tomorrow other than to sleep in.

Might as well seize the moment.

Squeezing myself between people to get to the bar, I miraculously find a vacant spot. Leaning against the counter, I ponder what to drink next. The bartender, an older guy but very good-looking, catches my eye. He has dark hair and a short, trimmed beard, and his name tag reads Joshua.

I blink at him, suddenly feeling a flutter in my stomach.

“What can I get you?” Joshua asks, flashing me a charming smile.

I shy away at his flirtatious tone. “Uh… um, just a vodka sunrise, thanks.”

“Long day?” he asks, pouring the drink.

“Long week, more like it,” I mumble, avoiding his gaze.

He whisks up my drink in no time and hands me the glass. “Here you go. Need anythin’ else?”

I glance back at the girls, who are laughing and dancing, and a mischievous idea pops into my head. “Actually, yeah. Can I get a round of vodka shots for my friends?” My voice is a little louder than before, the alcohol giving me a newfound confidence.

As Joshua goes to pour the shots, a group of guys come barreling to the bar, glasses and beers in hand. One of them spots me, and our eyes meet. I immediately avert my gaze, but it seems I’ve caught his attention. He moves closer to me, leaning in.

“What’s a pretty little thing like you doing at the bar all alone?” he asks, his voice slightly slurred from the alcohol.

I feel a pang of discomfort and quickly hide my face, pretending to be engrossed in my drink.

“Oh, um, just waiting for my friends,” I mumble, hoping he’ll take the hint and leave me alone.Confidence? Yeah, that went out the window.

Despite my attempt to brush him off, the guy doesn’t seem deterred. He leans in even closer, his breath smelling strongly of alcohol.

“Well, lucky for you, I’m ‘ere now,” he says with a smirk, his words oozing with confidence.

I squirm uncomfortably, feeling trapped under his intense gaze. “That’s... nice,” I manage to say, my voice trembling slightly.

He reaches out to touch my arm, and I instinctively pull away, my discomfort growing by the second. “Hey, no need to be shy,” he says, his tone becoming more insistent. “Wanna dance?”

I glance nervously at Joshua behind the bar, hoping he’ll notice mydiscomfort, but he seems preoccupied with serving other customers. Panic begins rising within me as I search for an escape route.

Feeling stuck and unable to abandon the drinks at the bar, I realise I can’t carry them all by myself.

Great, I didn’t think this through.

“No, I’m good. Th-thanks,” I manage to stutter out. Desperate for an escape, I pull out my phone and quickly send a message to Kristie.

I type quickly, followed by another message.

The guy continues, however, “Come on, darl, don’t be like that. Come dance.” His accent is thick, and I can tell he’s had one too many.

In that moment, a deep voice from behind me raises the hairs along my arms, and my spine stiffens. “She said no. Take the hint, mate.”

The word ‘mate’ is laced with a warning, devoid of any friendliness. I’d recognize that voice anywhere, even blindfolded.

Bradley.

My heart skips a beat as I turn around. There hestands, towering over the guy who’s been pestering me. Bradley’s expression is hard, jaw clenched in a way that means business.

The guy, surprised by Bradley’s sudden appearance, stammers, “Relax, mate, I was just…”

Bradley cuts him off with a sharp glare. “She said no. Now, fuck off.”

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