Page 26 of See You Soon
I take a deep breath, and I finally decide with myself internally that it's time to go home. My emotions are getting to me. I grab the handle of the restroom door and swing it open and my eyes collide with Danny. His hands and gaze are attentive to securing his belt back into place in his jeans. Then he goes to his zipper and closes it. I can't move. That's what Danny does to me. In this moment, watching him,I can't move. My eyes are glued to his hands and deep down inside, I wish those hands were on me instead. We're alone for a good five seconds and he finally locks eyes with me, and he freezes as well. He's exiting the unisex restroom but he's not alone.
Behind him isthe ladyand it looks like she's wiping something off her lips. Danny looks different, his ball cap isn’t on anymore and he looks more relaxed.
"God, you taste so good." She says giggling in his ear, tiptoeing to reach his face, while grasping his biceps, she licks her lips, as she eyes me viciously unwelcoming. She doesn't care I just heard her lustful comments. It doesn't take long for me to put two and two together to know what just happened in that restroom and I grimace.
Gross.
I roll my eyes at them before walking away. Danny looks stunned seeing me just a few feet from him.
"Ari," Danny calls out after me but I don't stop walking. I'm disgusted with myself for being so vulnerable around him. I spilled out my emotions. Secrets of my abusive past relationship and the grief I hold for my brother. He's not the same guy I kissed that night. The guy just got sucked off in a restroom.
I start to pick up my pace, walking through the crowd, bumping into body after body, apologizing as I hit them. Seeing the man I fell for at first sight, after he just got sucked off, sobers me up entirely. I'm extremely astonished to witness that and all I can feel is shock and utter disbelief. I really don't know Danny. I don't what I've gotten myself into. I've wrapped myself into a stranger.
I'm doing my best to get to the girls fast so I can tell them I'm ready to go. I want to force the image of Danny andhis ladyout of my mind.
Suddenly, I feel my wrist getting pulled behind me, painfully, stopping me from walking any further. I gasp and let out a cry as I'm being dragged upwards into someone.
Shane.
"Shane what the fuck. Let me go!" I shout at him, pushing his chest with my other arm, wincing in pain. What has gotten into him? He's never hit or hurt me in public, it was always discreetly. We're in the middle of a crowd full of people that are distracted with music, dancing around us and nobody takes notice that I'm being harassed. His touch reminds me of the constant dread I felt during our relationship.I want to fly. I want to run.
"Just one dance Ari. I bet you miss my hands on you..." he leans into my ear, as I'm still trying to wiggle my hand out, "My hands on your ass and tits, Ari-cakes. Don't you miss that? I sure do." He whispers into my ear sending shivers down my spine. He grabs my ass with his other hand so tight and squeezes. The pain from my flesh getting pinched so hard, I just know an impending bruise will reflect as evidence in the morning. It hurts and now I'm angry. My free hand turns into a fist, tears stinging my eyes and I feel helpless. I know Paul would want me to be strong and I'm about to punch him in his jaw but someone beats me to it.
Suddenly, the next thing I know, Shane’s on the ground. My hand and ass are free.
"What the fuck man?" Shane shouts, rubbing his cheekbone but he's quickly cut off by another punch.
Danny towers over him and his movements are fast. I can't even register what's happening but I'm being forced to. Danny grabs Shane by his collar and repeatedly punches him, pummeling him until I see blood on his knuckles. Commotion beaks out and I don't know what to do. A circle of attention gathers around us and I can't move. I'm paralyzed with fear.
Danny's date starts shouting at Danny to stop and I just watch.
I don't want him to get into trouble, I don't know why but I still care about Danny's reputation. I know if this goes down in Shane's favor and he gets arrested, his career is over. I imagine the military has zero tolerance when it comes to stuff like this. That's why Paul never paid any attention to Shane's antics when he provoked him in the past. He wanted to make sure Shane threw the first punch so Paul could at least say it was justified with self-defense but Shane being the coward he is, never did.
Finally, I decide to act. My heart beats outside of my chest and the adrenaline starts to kick in. I start pulling on Danny's shoulder, gently trying to get him to stop punching Shane. By the looks of it, Danny’s going to kill him in front of hundreds of witnesses. His rage is blinding him and I'm hoping I can stop him before it's too late.
He looks back at me as soon as I squeeze his shoulder, fury in his eyes and they soften as he stares back at me, realizing it's me. A tear falls out of my right eye and I quickly wipe it away. Somehow, it works and Danny lets Shane go.
"What the fuck is going on here?" Gabriel, the bartender, breaks through the crowd pushing them away with his forearms, to get through. He looks frantic and worried but when he spots Danny, he relaxes a little.
Shane’s still on the ground now covering his face, frightened. Danny’s breathing hard, staring Shane down, probably hoping he would get back up so he can keep beating him. He ignores Gabriel’s question and I’m paralyzed by this side of Danny I’ve never seen. If looks could kill, Shane would be lifeless.
“If you touch her again, I’ll crush every fucking bone in your handsand I’ll kill you. Don't ever come close to her again Mitchell. I know all about you." Danny snarls, threatening him, his tone of voice is laced with ominous wrath, and it scares me yet it sends a wave of butterflies through my chest seeing him so protective overme. Gabriel stares at Danny and Shane trying to assess the situation and he comes to a quick judgment.
"Guys, get him out of here," Gabriel orders pointing to Shane.
Two big muscular Bouncers behind Gabriel peer over his shoulder and haul Shane off the dance floor. Shane’s covering his face so I can't get a good look at him but I see that his shirt is stained with drops of blood. The fucker finally got what he deserved. Maybe he'll think twice before putting his hands on me or any other woman again without their consent.
I start to wonder how Danny knows Shane’s last name. How does he knowall about him?
Meredith and Emilia appear now and grab a hold of my hands, comforting me on both sides.
"What happened?" Emilia asks me, moving her hands up and down my arms. I shake my head not wanting to talk about it in the moment because I'm too distracted watching Danny. I need to talk to him.
"Oh, baby! Come here!" Danny's date squeals rushing to him, and grabbing his arm but Danny ignores her, and he keeps his gaze on me while flexing his fist open and closed.
"Can we talk?" Danny pleads, his blue eyes softening, and I melt at his question. I quickly nod and swallow. The crowd of people slowly go back to their night of fun and keep dancing, since the music never stopped playing.
"Danny but... what about us?" His date asks annoyed, she looks at me with disgust and jealousy.
