Page 9 of The Air You Breathe

“I’m just letting you know, all the men in the bar are staring,” I whispered to her. “It’s not like you’ve left much to their imagination.”

“So, let them. It's not like I have someone at home waiting for me.” She yanked her hand out of my grip, going back to dance with the girls.

I ended up sitting by their table keeping a watchful eye on them, getting glares from Darcy and smirks from Jane. The other two looked amused when they all chatted together, stealing glances at me.

After about their fourth shot, I was getting nervous. You could see them starting to slow down, the alcohol catching up to them. Someone walked up to the girls and I immediately turned to glare at them.

“Damn, Evan, if looks could kill, the entire bar would be doomed.” Aiden snickered, walking towards me.

I rolled my eyes. “I’m doing the girls a favor. All of them forgot the rest of their dresses at home.”

“Whatever, Evan. You can’t be mad at how good Darcy looks.” Jane’s eyes lit up with mirth as she walked over to us, only looking at Aiden. I was happy they were working on whatever was going on with the three them.

I glanced at Darcy for a second before I shrugged. “I’m not blind, Texas. Darcy always looks beautiful.” I murmured, knowing I didn’t want Darcy to hear.

“Just say something. Nothing is worse than regret and not saying something before you don’t have a chance to say it.” Jane looked somber. “Regret is a bitch.”

I already felt regret. Ever since I saw Darcy at the club a few weeks ago. It hit me like a train wreck. My emotions felt like the wreckage, and I was still picking up the pieces. I looked over at her with the other girls, she had a huge smile on her face as one of the girls yelled “Come on, who doesn’t kiss their girl when they see her?”

Jane and Aiden talked while I looked at Darcy. It had been a while since I saw her this happy. Even though it had been three years since we were together, I never stopped checking in on her. On nights I worked into the morning, I would stop by her house to see her leave for work.

Those were my favorite days, seeing her and Mary get into the car, while Darcy looked adorably half asleep as Mary chatted animatedly. Seeing her like that reminded me of the few mornings we spent together.

I noticed a guy say something to Darcy. She shook her head at whatever he said but he wasn’t talking no for an answer. I got up, lumbering towards them.

“She said no, asshole,” I snapped trying to remember who this guy was. He looked familiar.

I could see Darcy's eyes get wide with worry, but I kept my eye on the guy.

“Who the fuck are you?” he snarled at me. “I was talking to her, not you.”

“Listen, asshole,” I sneered as I grabbed the front of his shirt, remembering that he was Mrs. Montgomery’s grandson.

“Evan!” Darcy shouted.

“What the fuck?” Fear crossed his face.

“Charles is that you?” Aiden came up to us and I noticed he had pushed the girls away.

“Uh, Aiden, Uh hi,” he stuttered, and I was glad he was starting to lose that bravado. It was going to make threatening him so much easier.

“How is your Grandma going to feel about you not taking no for an answer.” I let go of him.

“Especially when she hears it’s Darcy, you know your grandma adores her.” Aiden added.

His face blanched. “I… I…” He glanced back at Darcy. I snapped my fingers to get his attention again.

“Just leave and everything will be fine,” I said, enjoying the look on his face and deciding he probably had enough.

“Yeah, fine,” he said, walking away and leaving the bar. I turned to look at Darcy and she looked livid.

Fuck.

I heard one of the girls slurring and I knew it was time to go. As Aiden ushered them all out, I managed to grab Darcy’s hand as we walked out of the bar, hanging back.

“Let me take you home,” I said, admiring her fury.

“No,” she snapped about to turn away but hesitated. “Why the hell did you have to do that? I’m a grown ass woman, I don’t need you there to try and protect me.”

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