Page 24 of All In
His eyes drift to my lips as his part slightly. If he tries to kiss me, I know I’ll let him. His hand leaves my back, landing on my hip, and squeezes. His desire matches mine, and I can sense the internal struggle he’s facing. Our mouths are inches apart, our heavy breaths warm with hunger. I tilt my head, part my lips, and close my eyes, waiting for it.
Which is why I don’t see Nate coming.
“HEY! GET AWAY FROM MY GIRL!” In a flash, Nate grabs my arm and tears us apart. He shoves Sam away from me as I stumble backward, slamming into a couple behind me.
Sam puts his hands up in surrender as he gives me a quick, knowing glance. “Sorry, man, I didn’t know she was taken,” he says, covering for me.
Nate looks at me; his face is red and, his eyes glassy. “Did this moron force himself on you?”
That would be a no.
But I can’t say that. I also can’t tell Nate who this is. In his current inebriated state, I don’t trust that he won’t do something stupid and try to hurt Sam. I can’t let that happen. I grab onto Nate’s arm, pulling him toward the exit. “Nate, it’s fine. Let’s just get out of here,” I plead with him. “And why are you back?”
“We hadn’t left yet and were still outside. The girls arrived, and Jenny came out and said that she saw some guy with his paws all over you on the dance floor.” I glance over to my table, and there sit Jenny, Kim, and Valerie, looking stunned by the scene that just played out.
I was so caught up in my Sam haze, I didn’t notice that my friends had arrived and saw the whole thing.
Lovely.
Nate takes three determined steps towards Sam and points his finger right in his face. “I betterneversee you in here ever again.”
Sam shakes his head in disbelief and huffs out a snicker as he takes a step closer to Nate. They are nose to nose now. “Or you’ll do what?” Sam asks throughgritted teeth, his voice low and dripping with anger. I have never seen Sam full of this much rage.
Out of nowhere, the massive bartender inserts himself into the chaos. “Do we have a problem here?” His big, booming voice reverberates throughout.
Sam turns to the giant, takes a step back, and puts his fisted hands in his pockets. “Nope, no problem.” Another guy—this one I recognize—rushes over. Ricky. Sam’s best friend and our supposed waiter on our first date. A piercing look filled with anger locks onto me.
He turns to Sam. “You okay, man?” Sam nods.
The big guy looks at Nate, then at me. He narrows his eyes. “I think it would be better if you left.” I have a feeling he knows exactly who I am because he addresses me and not Nate.
Nate shakes his head in disgust as he grips my hand tightly. “Come on, Maria, let’s get out of here. This place is a dump, anyway.” He leads me towards the door as my friends abandon the table and follow behind us.
Before I exit, I steal a glance back and see Sam standing alone in the middle of the dance floor. Bob Seger’s voice fills the room with a question that mirrors the expression on Sam’s face.
“Why don’t you stay?”
I wish I could, Sam. I wish I could.
Chapter ten
1997
Sam
Walking into my dark apartment, it’s as if there is a lead weight holding a vice grip on my life. I still don’t have a job, and my rent is due in two weeks. And the $57 in my checking account is not enough to cover it. I yank the tie from around my neck since it feels like it’s choking me to death, and I whip it on the floor. Neatness? Who cares?
It feels like a Heineken is in order after the interview I endured. It was for a manager’s position at a grocery store. A job for a middle-aged man, in a loveless marriage, with two bratty teenagers and a beer gut. Definitely not me.
Although, if I keep up this beer habit, my gut won’t be far behind.
The interview went well, so I can’t complain. Do I want to work in a grocery store? Absolutely not. Have I found only a few options, and this is one of them?
Yes.
Which is depressing, to say the least.
So, if it’s offered to me, I’ll take it. It pays well, which means I’ll be able to pay my bills.
