7. Are you okay?
1073 Words
Shane's POV
I lazily walked toward Adriana, who was standing by the fireplace, looking amazing as always. Her shiny blonde hair was loose on her shoulder. She wore an off-shoulder top with a pair of black jeans and high heels. She could be a model.
"You came," I smirked when she looked at me.
"I figured I don't get out much, so why not?" Adriana giggled.
I started chatting and flirting with her. She was beginning to get a lot more comfortable around me. We were never friends, so I never had the chance to spend one-on-one time with her, so this was a golden opportunity.
I saw Anna dancing with Kayden in my peripheral vision, so I looked over there. Anna was giggling like a school girl while Kayden danced and spun her around. They looked like they were having fun, and she looked happy, which irked me to my core. Like most days, seeing her happy annoyed me, so I had the itch to go over there and ruin her night, but I held myself back. I couldn't let Adriana see me be a jerk. It might turn her off. I'll deal with the little mouse later.
"Hey, do you want to dance?" I asked Adriana.
"Sure I-..." she stopped talking all of a sudden and looked straight ahead. I followed her gaze to see who she was looking at. I frowned as I realized who it was.
Her ex-boyfriend Bruce.
Shit, I forgot he was one of James's best friends, so of course he was going to be here. I wish I asked Adriana to go out on a date with me instead.
Bruce came and started high-fiving people at the party. His eyes landed directly on Adriana and me. It was inevitable.
"Adri, hi. I didn't know you were coming," Bruce said, smiling at her.
Adriana fidgeted nervously. "Hey. You know Shane?" she motioned at me. Bruce looked at me, and his eyes immediately turned cold. I guess he didn't like the fact I was flirting with his ex. Oh well, he didn't scare me. We were about the same size and built. I had a fair chance of winning a fight with him, and I was willing to do it if I had to.
"Yes, I know Shane. What are you doing hanging with my girlfriend, Shane?" Bruce gritted his teeth.
Oh, hell no.
"Do you mean ex-girlfriend?" I countered.
Adriana cleared her throat. "Um...guys. I don't want you to cause drama. Bruce, we already broke up, so I'm not your girlfriend anymore."
"Babe, we both know you'll come right back to me," Bruce remarked and touched her face.
"Get a clue, Bruce. She doesn't want you back," I barked. I was slightly disturbed by the fact that Adriana didn't smack his hand off her face yet.
"Says who? Don't get in the middle of us, Shane, or you'll regret it," Bruce said gruffly.
Fuck it. He was pissing me off now. I didn't want to let Adriana go so easily. Bruce had his chance and blew it, so now it was my turn.
"Are you threatening me, asshole? Why don't we step aside from this party and settle this?" I offered. If he wants to fight, fight he'll get.
"That's not necessary. Can't we just enjoy ourselves?" Adriana winced.
"Let me deal with him, babe," Bruce barked at her as if he owned her.
"Stop calling her babe, asshole," I stepped forward and grabbed his collar. Sometimes, I couldn't control my anger, and this was that moment. I wanted to smash this moron's face against the wall.
"Take your hands off me," Bruce growled.
"Guys, stop!" Adrian protested, but we both ignored her.
"Leave her alone. She doesn't wanna be with you now that she knows there are better options out there," I hissed.
"f**k you, asshole!" Bruce cried and swung his fist at me, which landed right near my eye. I yelped and let go of his shirt, then pressed my hand against my throbbing face. This dickhead punched me!
"BRUCE!" Adriana yelled.
I recovered quickly then threw a punch at him. I wasn't particularly aiming for any specific part of his body, so my fist landed on his stomach. He croaked and leaned down. He held his stomach with his hands.
"Stop fighting. This is ridiculous!" Adriana cried out again.
Anna and Kayden had stopped dancing. Kayden strode toward me to defend me, and so did Jayce. I saw James and some other kid came forward to break up the fight too.
"Guys, not in my house," James roared. "I need you both to go home and cool off."
"I'm outta here. I've had enough of this s**t," Bruce declared and grabbed Adriana's hand. "You're coming with me," he told Adriana.
"No, she is not," I snarled.
"Bruce, stop acting up. Enough is enough," Adriana pleaded.
Bruce let go of her and shook his head, then stormed out. Adriana looked at me. "I'm sorry Shane, but I have to go after him."
"What the hell? Why?" I frowned. I didn't expect her to say that.
"Bruce is hot-headed. And now he is very angry and jealous. I should go see if he is okay," Adriana said.
What about me? I just got sucker-punched on the face. Does she not care if I am okay? I felt a bit hurt by it.
But I didn't say anything else and watched her walk out. f*****g Bruce, he had to come and ruin my chance with Adriana.
"Are you okay?"
I looked at the source of a melodic voice in surprise. Anna was standing near me. Was she here this whole time? I was so angry at Bruce that I didn't even notice her walking toward me.
"Dude, your eye looks f****d up. Sorry, I was busy dancing, so I didn't see you and Bruce getting into a fight," Kayden said.
"I was in the other room, sorry man," Jayce added.
"Whatever, I'm going home," I said.
"Your eye is bruising already. You should put some ice on it. I can help," Anna said softly and grabbed my arm.
What the f**k was this mouse doing? Who told her she could touch me? I thought but didn't feel like pushing her hand away. Warmth spread through my body from her touch, and it felt oddly comforting.
"I don't need your help," I said.
"Stop acting like a jerk and let Anna help you," Jayce said irritably. "Take him to the kitchen and put some ice on his eye, Anna," he instructed her.
Anna nodded. She didn't let go of my hand and proceeded to pull me toward the kitchen and I let her.
- Writer
