Fight With Me (Fight and Fall) (15 page)

             
Okay, I probably shouldn’t resort to violence, but hey, what the hell?

             
I shove her away from me and she stumbles on her hooker shoes, falling right on her backside.

             
“Fucking sucks being knocked on your ass when you least expect it, huh? Payback is a bitch,” I snort.

             
She’s fuming, trying to get herself up off the ground. I laugh, very proud of myself. Will she retaliate? Yeah, I’m sure she will eventually but I won’t be around long enough for her to do that. As soon as I can, I’m leaving town and going back to Arizona. Street brawls with psycho bitches are not something a pregnant woman should have to deal with. Thanks, but no thanks!

             
“You think you’ll get away with this? Just wait, Emma,” she says, her eyes darkening.

             
“Yeah, yeah, you really intimidate me, Jessica,” I say not impressed.

             
“Maybe I’m not the one you should be scared of. You have more enemies than friends here. This is my town, not yours. Just remember that the next time you cross me. Not that there will be a next time,” she smirks.

             
“Whatever,” I say to her cryptic statement.

             
I walk around her as she starts to get up, finally able to open the door to the bar.

             
“I can’t wait until you fall, Emma. It will be fun to watch. I almost feel sorry for you,” she smirks, walking away.

             
Her last words send a shiver up my spine. What could she possibly do to me? Yeah, she has dirt on me but not much else. I shrug, thinking that she’s just blowing hot air up her own ass. Cocky bitch.

             
I walk inside the bar and notice that the back of room near the pool tables has band equipment scattered around. An acoustic guitar with an amp, some microphones, and a small drum set adorn the makeshift stage. Hmm…that’s interesting. I didn’t know that Leo had live bands play here. This could be an interesting night.

             
I make my way over to the bar and notice Lucas making drinks and Leslie serving them along with food to tables.

             
I clock in, making my way over to the bar to help out.  Lucas asks me to take over so he can go to the back to help with an incoming shipment. I silently agree, making sure to be as helpful as possible tonight.

I look over at the stage, a bottle of vodka in my hand. I see two young guys with shaggy hair and one young woman
with platinum white hair go over to the instruments. I’m guessing this is the live band for tonight.

             
One of the guys straps on an acoustic guitar and the other gets on drums. The woman goes over to one of the microphones, an almost angelic look about her. They all have an indie, almost modern hippie kind of vibe.

             
“How’s everybody doing tonight?” the guy with the guitar says into the mic.

             
People in the bar don’t really respond because let’s face it, it’s a sports bar, not a dive bar where the next
it
musicians are discovered. Yeah, these guys are going to have a hard time impressing and capturing these patrons’ attention.

             
“We’re
Things
We Lost in the Fire
,
and if you couldn’t tell, we come all the way from England,” he smirks. “I’d like to thank a friend for taking a chance on us and bringing us all the way out here. You guys may have heard of him,” he says smiling. “I’m proud to say that he will be joining us tonight.”

             
“C’mon up here, bloke,” he smiles, looking to the side of the makeshift stage.

             
I look over and notice Aiden walk over to one of the microphone. What the hell? How did I not notice him before now?

             
The woman at the other microphone smiles coyly at him, and I clench the bottle in my hand. That better be a ‘we’re only friends, and I totally don’t want to fuck you’ smile going on between them.

             
“We’re going to play a few covers for you and then some originals. I hope you like it,” Aiden says shyly into the mic.

             
“This one’s
Ho Hey
by The
Lumineers
,” the blonde woman says into the microphone.

             
Damn her and those seductive vocal chords. It’s sultry
and
English. Double fuck!

             
Aiden starts off with vocals, his voice caressing every word. It’s so smooth and mesmerizing. She joins in at the chorus, fusing her voice to his perfectly. If this were
American Idol
and she and I were competitors, she would whoop my ass, hands down. I’m nothing compared to her. Her vocal range is nearly unbeatable.

             
I pour a few drinks to customers, keeping a close eye on Aiden. He hasn’t looked over at me once. Is something going on that I don’t know about? Is he ignoring me on purpose?

             
As I ponder his attitude towards me, they finish the song, ending it with a round of applause and whistles. Okay, so maybe I was wrong about the crowd. They sure seemed to love that performance. Who could blame them? You’d have to be deaf or just not appreciate music to have disliked that.

             
“Thank you,” Blondie says into the microphone.

             
“This next one is
Eavesdrop
by
The Civil Wars
,” Aiden says glancing at his singing partner.

             
She begins singing, her gaze solely on Aiden. I clench my fingers by my sides, not liking her blatant interest in him. They look so good together. She’s light where he’s dark.

He joins
in at the chorus and I finally am able to grasp the meaning of the song. It’s about not wanting things to end and saying that it’s over. Shit, this is either a message to me from Aiden or a huge coincidence. Every word, every fucking line reminds me of him pleading with me to never give up on us.

I look over at him and see how engrossed he is in the other singer. They look like they’re singing to each other. I see something in his eyes that I haven’t seen in a while. I see adoration and…love.

It’s like it’s just the two of them there and nobody else is in the room. I know that feeling. I’ve been right where she is. Now I’m on the sidelines, watching him have those looks with someone else.

My heart feels like
it’s been split in two, torn right fucking down the middle. This is worse than when I found out he was still married to Jessica. He didn’t look like he loved her. He looked like he despised her at least. I was more angry than hurt by his actions but this time…he’s wrecked me.

I feel my heartbeat pick up, beating rapidly against my shirt. If it pounded any harder, it would burst right out of my chest.

Dear God, I can’t take this. I can’t go on seeing him like this. I thought he wanted me to wait for him. When did he decide that he didn’t want to wait for
me
? Because seeing him and this woman sure has opened my eyes. Is he doing this to torment me? Or is he so wrapped in her he doesn’t even notice I’m alive?

I’ve got to get out of here. I need air, for fuck’s sake!

I walk around the bar, not bother telling anybody that I’m going out back. I don’t want their pity or questions. I just need space.

I try to walk calmly to the door, not trying to draw
attention to myself. I know my body is subtly shaking, unable to control the emotions flowing through me.

I keep my eyes trained in front of me, my
movement taut and awkward. I feel the tears making their appearance and I finally bolt when I reach the back door. I flip it open, shutting it roughly behind me. I sag next the dumpster, in the same exact spot where Aiden practically mauled me three weeks ago. Oh, and don’t forget the same spot where he impregnated you too, Emma. That’s equally important.

I chuckle at the irony
of the situation. The place that I seek refuge is the same place that altered my life forever.

My tears flow freely now as I slump down against the brick wall. I bury my head in my hands, wanting the pain to
dissipate. This will all just be a bad memory one day, Emma. You’ll look back and laugh at how dramatic and silly you’re behaving. It’s just unfortunate that day isn’t right fucking now.

I hear the door fly open, and I twist my
head away from it, not wanting to be seen like this. Pathetic, broken, alone.

“
Em, what the hell?”

Of course it’s Lucas. He’s always there to pick up the pieces. He always sees me at my worst.
This must be like deja-vu for him.

He kneels down in front of me, prying my hands away from my face. He looks into my eyes, probably recognizing
the betrayal and pain in them.

“Why, Lucas? Why did he do that to me?” I ask.

He shakes his head back in forth like he knows exactly what I’m referring to. Nice. I’m not the only one who noticed Aiden’s interest in that woman and his disinterest in me.

“I don’t know,
Em. I don’t know why he does the things he does. All I know is that you don’t deserve that. He’s not worth it, sweetheart. When will you realize that? I can’t keep seeing you like this. He’s fucking destroying you and this is the last thing you need right now,” he bites off.

Well, at least Lucas cares about me still. Wish I could say the same for Aiden.

He grasps my hands in his, bringing us both to a standing position. I wrap my arms around his back, relishing in his kind-heartedness. He kisses my forehead as the door bursts open yet again. I look over Lucas’s shoulder into a pair of furious, green eyes. They pierce me, accuse me.

“You couldn’t even wait three weeks could you? It was him all along,
wasn’t it, Emma?” Aiden snarls at me.

Lucas
shelters me behind him, whirling his body toward Aiden.

“You don’t fucking get it, do you, man?” Lucas chuckles harshly.

Aiden looks at him, confusion and hatred marring his face. He frowns, his eyebrow twitching slightly.

“I don’t need to fucking get it. I have two eyes and see exactly what’s been going on this entire time. I thought you could fix me but I was so fucking wrong. You broke me, Emma,” he whispers.

I’m still hiding behind Lucas, gripping his arms. I’m so hurt right now I have no idea what to say. How can Aiden be talking like this when I just saw him inside with another woman?

“Aiden, what…” I croak out.

“No, there’s nothing you can say. I’ve been blind but not anymore. I wish you both the best of luck and nothing but happiness,” he snarls.

“Aiden,
that’s enough! You don’t under…” Lucas says as Aiden ignores him, going back inside.

I cry out, not fully comprehending just what happened. Did he just walk away from me? From us
, forever? Nothing is making sense. I have to go to him. Things just got way out of hand.

“Fuck, I have to talk to him. I don’t know what just happened,” I say frantically, going around Lucas.

I feel him gently grab my wrist, preventing me from going after Aiden.

“
Em, let him cool off for a bit. He’s irrational right now and you don’t need that,” he says calmly.

“But, Lucas, I….”

“No, think about this. You’re pregnant and you need to chill out. Think of the baby, Em,” he says.

I sigh, my
lower lip trembling. He’s right. Fucking Lucas is right, yet again.

I look up at him,
hating that fact that everything he just said makes total sense. I should just let Aiden have some time to think about things and then I’ll call or text him later. I still need to tell him about the pregnancy and the fact that I’m moving back home.

“Wait, are you…” Lucas says his
eyes widening.

“Am I what?” I ask
still trembling.

“You’re in love with him, aren’t you,
Em?” he asks, the truth finally dawning on him.

             
I close my eyes, guilty as charged. Just great.

             
“Yes, Lucas. I always have been,” I say in defeat.

             
I feel so silly admitting that I love Aiden. I know I shouldn’t but I do because we’ve only known each other a short amount of time. Most of that time we’ve spent apart. I guess sometimes love just sneaks up on you when you least expect. My love for Aiden hit me like a bat to the face.

             
“Shit, well now I
really
feel like a jackass. I would’ve never pushed you and me had I known your feelings. I just figured you were too angry at him to start another relationship. I’m sorry, Em,” he says regrettably.

             
“No, Lucas. It’s me who should be sorry. I pretty much led you on, not intentionally though, but I did. I wanted to forget him and I thought…shit, I don’t know what I thought. Maybe if you and I hooked up it would change my feelings for him. Looking back, my entire rationalization was fucking immature and stupid,” I sigh.

             
“If you think you’re the first and only person to feel that way, you’re not. Plenty of people jump into new relationships when they’re not ready. I’m not saying it’s right but I think that you need to stop blaming yourself. I kept flirting with you, trying to steal you away from him and that wasn’t right. I’m kind of embarrassed by my behavior actually. I realize that if somebody truly wants to be with you, they will. Nothing you do will change their mind,” he says.

             
“How did you get so wise, Lucas?” I ask.

             
“A very good friend made me realize things. Yeah, she may have given me the worst case of blue balls in my life, but it was worth it,” he chuckles. “She taught me to be the best version of myself and once I do that, everything else will fall into place. Leslie was right in front of my eyes and I never really saw her. That friend made me realize what I originally wanted was not what I really needed.”

             
“Would this
friend
happen to be
me
by any chance?” I ask smirking.

             
“Now you’re just being conceited, Em. I really don’t know how you came to that impression,” he laughs.

             
“Fucking pain in the ass,” I mutter as Lucas envelopes me in a hug.

             
“I’m like the younger brother you wish you never had. Well, let’s make it step-brother or third cousin. I’m pretty sure the stuff we did to each other is illegal in most states,” he says.

             
“Ewwwwww!” I yell, playfully punching his stomach.

             
“Damn, Em. The abs are not your very own punching bag, you know?” he retorts.

             
“Ha, ha, very funny,” I say.

             
He pulls away, releasing his arms from my back. He looks down at me, concern still carved into his face.

             
“Are you okay, sweetheart? Like really okay?”

             
I reach down to touch my stomach, hoping that the run-in with Aiden didn’t stress out the baby. I really need to be more cautious. I’m so worried I could miscarry over the slightest upset. I look up at him, cracking a smile. I have to be okay. This baby
needs
me to be okay.

             
“Yeah.
We’re
okay,” I say.

             
“It’s so crazy that there’s a tiny life inside of you. It’s hard to believe it. I’m trying to get used to the idea. I will do everything I can to make sure that you guys are safe,” he says firmly.

             
“Thank you, Lucas. I can’t even begin to imagine what I would do without you. Leslie is a lucky bitch, you know?” I smirk.

             
“Yeah, well, that’s what I tell her when she’s mad at me. Although, looking back, making that comment never helps to end a fight,” he says smartly.

             
“Okay, well we should probably head back inside. Don’t want the customers to start a riot if they don’t get their beer. A sober customer is never a happy customer,” Lucas says.

             
I laugh, nodding my head at him. Ugh, going back in there and seeing Aiden singing with that will woman…I don’t even want to think about it any further. It will tear me apart but it has to be done.

             
“Yeah, yeah. Let’s go,” I sigh to Lucas.

He open
s the back door and I follow behind him.

“Does my face look okay? Like, do I look like a puffy-faced, emotional wreck?” I ask him.

“You look perfect, Em. Don’t worry about it,” he says.

My shoulders slump in relief.

Okay, Emma. Mask of indifference is in place. Emotions have gone down to a lull. You can do this.

We both walk out into the main room
, and I notice that the music has stopped playing. I look over at the band and it seems like they are on a small break or something. I see everybody except Aiden drinking water and tuning their guitars. Hmmm…I wonder where he escaped to. 

Ugh, don’t think about it, Emma. Go about your duties and think about him later. You need to call him and resolve any and all of your issues. Even if he’s moved on, so what? It may feel like a hot poker
is being driven into your chest but get the fuck over it! He needs to know about his baby and your decision to move back to Arizona. I won’t lie or avoid him because I’m hurt. It’s unfair and cruel to do that to him. I’m not Jessica.

I go back to the bar and continue serving people,
inconspicuously keeping an eye out for Aiden. I see the blonde-haired singer come up to the bar, looking beautiful and perfect and everything I fucking hate. It just so happens that Lucas is occupied and I’m the only free bartender. Just fucking great! I get to serve her and act like nothing is wrong and that I don’t want to cut her with the end of a broken beer bottle.

“Can I get a bottle of water? Room temperature,” she says, her voice practically accompanied by chimes.

“Sure can,” I say smiling.

I go back behind the bar, locating a bottle that hasn’t been put in the fridge yet. Fucking
princess and her room temp water. You’re not putting on a show in an arena, bitch. Heaven forbid your voice is ruined by a little cold water.

I hand it to her
and she smiles tightly, not thanking me at all. Well, I guess being friendly up on stage does not carry over off stage. Okay then.

“So, you guys were really good up there,” I say.

I’m trying to get information from her. Yeah, this fucking sucks.

“Oh, so you’re sweet. Yeah, the show was going pretty well until Aiden left,” she says, her accent
caressing every word.

Aiden left? Why would he do that if he was supposed to play with them? She sees my
puzzled expression.

“Aiden Crowe? Please tell me you’ve heard of him?” she says
shocked.

“No, I know who he is. I’m just curious as to why he left. You guys sounded really good together,” I say
, trying to keep my anger in check.

“Yeah, well, he up and left. He wanted to come here to play some songs with us but something happened,” she snorts. “I guess he was trying to surprise his
girlfriend
or whatever. Women practically throw themselves at him. I have no idea why he would want somebody in this gross little hole in the wall bar.”

My hands clench behind the bar.
Does she want to get bitch slapped right now because she’s asking for it!

“No offense,” she says
, barely looking at me.

I chuckle, not really believing thi
s woman. So dense and beautiful, an unfortunate combination. 

“Oh, no offense taken,” I say sarcastically
, blatantly rolling my eyes at her.

I see the guitarist come up behind her, a cocky smile on his face.

“Hey, could you get me a water there, love?” he says to me, wrapping an arm around her shoulder.

I nod at him, noticing the cozy affection between the two of them.
I put a water on the bar as he practically chugs it. I’m trying to figure out their relationship. Are they
together
together or just over-friendly band mates? I’m really confused now.

“So what did you think of us?” he asks me smugly, obviously wanting me to get down on my hands and knees
, worshiping his guitar skills.

“Good. No
We Fight, We Fall
but good,” I reply smartly.

“Ouch. I like you American women. Very direct,” he says smiling, coming closer across the bar towards me.

I look over at Blondie and see fire rising within her eyes. She obviously doesn’t like the attention he’s giving me. Well, you and me both.

“How about I show you how good I am after the show? Tell me you wouldn’t like that?” he says dropping his voice.

“I guess you don’t know her very well then. I suggest you back off and finish your set before something bad happens,” I hear a voice say behind him.

I look up, seeing an angry Lucas defending my honor.

“I was just talking to your girl, man. Chill out,” the guitarist says.

“She’s not
my
girl, she’s Aiden’s. If he finds you talking to her…” Lucas says.

“Whoa, you’re
Emma
? I’m sorry, love. I didn’t realize,” he says to me, his expression almost nervous now.

Wow, I guess this guy is really afraid of Aiden. I inwardly chuckle at
him. He’s obviously a lowly, smug musician that was harmlessly flirting. Little did he know that he flirted with the wrong woman.

“You’ve heard of me? How…” I ask him confused before I’m interrupted.

“Jude, we need to finish our set,” Blondie says, practically pulling him away from us.

“O
kay, Heather, chill the fuck out,” he says exasperated. “Are we okay? You won’t tell Aiden what happened?” he asks me almost pleadingly.

I nod at him
, still puzzled by how he knew about me. His shoulders sag in evident relief.

“You guys have the
worst
taste in woman,” I hear Heather say to Jude as they walk away.

I start rounding the bar, deciding to teach this bitch a lesson. Just as I’m about to reach her, Lucas restricts me.

“Whoa, Em. Just calm down, okay? She’s not worth it. She’s just jealous,” Lucas says, trying to soothe me.

I try to relax, taking steady breaths. I know she’d not worth it but she just made me so fucking angry. I can feel my blood pressure quickly rising, instantly remembering that this is not good for a pregnant woman. I start to feel helpless and guilty, thankful that Lucas talked some sense into me before I made a colossal and irrational mistake.

“Look at me,” Lucas pleads as I obey.

“I…I’m sorry. I just lost my shit. You’re right, Lucas,” I say nodding.

“Do you need to go home? Tell me right now and I’ll take you. I don’t want you upset,” he says gently.

I shake my head side to side, adamant about staying here and keeping my anger under control.

“Okay, then. Just take it easy the rest of the night. Promise me,” he says firmly.

“I promise, Lucas,” I say, feeling like a naughty child.

“Good. Now back to work,” he says smiling lightly as he walks away.

I try to focus
once again on cleaning and serving drinks. I hear the band start to play, not really paying attention to any of the songs. I make sure to avoid Heather or whatever her name is because the temptation to kick her ass is still brewing within me.

T
hroughout the night I see Lucas and Leslie giving me sympathetic looks. Ugh, now I’m the pregnant woman they feel sorry for. I just want to go home and forget this terrible night ever happened.

A few hours pass as most
of the customers and the band dissipate. I don’t have any more exchanges with Jude or Heather, thank God!

Lucas informs me that he’s going over to Leslie’s for the night for some ‘alone time’ I’m guessing. He says that he’ll walk me home and I smile at him, grateful for his
ever persistent protection.

I say goodbye to Lucas when we reach the apartment, relishing in some more
me
time.

I get to my room and practically throw myself on the bed. My palms
moist, my heart thumping rapidly. Okay, you need to just call Aiden and get it out of the way. Once you do, you’ll feel better. Well, probably not, but I keep trying to tell myself that.

I pull out my phone, my finger frozen above his name. Fuck, just do it! Call him.

I press talk, just anticipating the sound of his voice on the other end. It rings several times and before I think he won’t answer, he picks up on the very last ring.