Page 131 of 7+Us Makes Nine

The blood in my veins felt like it was literally boiling as I stared at Arianna dancing with some guy who had his hands all over her. He was tall and good-looking, with blond hair and greed in his eyes.

The main problem though, was that he wasn’t me.

Unable to stop myself, I slammed my beer on the table and in a flash, I headed for the dance floor. I pushed passed people, not at all caring about the scandalized expressions they threw my way. When I came to a stop, I stood directly behind the guy. Neither he nor Arianna had noticed my presence.

I reached out and gripped the guy’s shoulder, squeezing it with all my might.

“Oww!” he hollered in surprise and spun around to face me. He looked at me, confused. “What the hell, man?”

He shoved my hand away from him.

My eyes locked with Arianna. Her eyes became wide circles. “G-Gio?” she stuttered.

“Surprise, surprise,” I said with a sneer and then turned my focus back to the guy. “Back the hell away from her, and keep your hands to yourself.”

Taken aback, he glanced at Arianna. “Do you know this guy?”

She folded her arms. “Not anymore, if I can help it.”

“Look, buddy,” the guy said, “the lady has spoken. So, I think you better leave us alone.”

“You don’t tell me what to do,” I said angrily. “Nobody tells me what to do!” Once again, unable to stop myself, I shoved the guy in the chest. He stumbled backward a few steps.

“Stop it, Giovanni! Get the hell out of here and leave us alone!” Arianna yelled.

“Listen, you’ve got one more time to put your hands on me,” the guy warned.

“Oh yeah? Or what?”

“Or we can take this outside,” he snarled.

I pushed him in the chest again.

He gritted his teeth. “That’s it. I’ve had enough of you.” He stepped forward and shoved me. I stumbled backward, but only because I’d had too many drinks. I was pretty sure I could beat this guy in my sleep if I wanted to. I grinned and pushed him again.

We got into a wrestling match right there on the dance floor. Not before long, security hurried our way.

“HEY! BREAK IT UP! GET OUT OF HERE!” they yelled. One guard grabbed hold of the guy, and another grabbed hold of me. Together, they began pushing us through the club, and then shoved us right out the door.

“Look what you did! What’s your problem, man?” the guy yelled.

I punched him in the jaw, taking him completely off guard. He fell into the wall beside the entrance. Not giving him the chance to recover, I punched him in the stomach until he doubled over and fell to the ground. Once he was on the ground, I kicked him, taking pleasure in the way he howled and sputtered and begged me to stop.

“GIOVANNI! LEAVE HIM ALONE!”

I halted at the sound of Arianna’s voice. She hurried towards us and kneeled beside the guy. “Brad? Brad? Are you okay?”

I stepped back, running my hands through my hair. My knuckles hurt from punching him, and upon seeing his bloody and bruised face, I finally began to sober up somewhat.

“Shit,” I said, realizing what I’d done as I watched Arianna help the guy—Brad—to his feet.

“You’re a real asshole, you know that?” he said, his voice choked with blood. He then shrugged away from Arianna’s touch. “Stay the hell away from me. Your ex is psycho. I’m out of here.”

“Brad, I’m sorry,” Arianna said to his retreating form. But he just waved a dismissive hand at her and continued on his way. Slowly, Arianna turned around to face me. Her gaze was so cold, my previously boiling blood now seemed to freeze in my veins.

It was safe to say that I was completely sober now. And I had no idea what to say for myself.

Asham

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