Hey guys! Thanks so much for your reviews! I appreciate every single one. Glad to know you like the story so far. It's kind of starting to get interesting now. I hope lol. Thanks for reading!

We've been to several clubs by now. Some I knew, some I didnt. It's getting easier to sell with Josh. Mostly because people are more drunk with every hour that passes but also because him and I kind of make a good "team" by now. It still breaks my heart to sell this shit. Looking at those, probably only 17 year old, teenagers that knock themselves out makes me want to cry. But I have to keep going for the greater good. Plus, as bad as it sounds, the more I drink, the less of a fuck I give.

We arrive at the next bar. It's kind of like the one my mom use to own. A bar where people just fall asleep, wake up 2 hours later and continue drinking. Perfect, we figure although we might seem a little overdressed.

We make our way inside. It's a pretty big and dark bar. They have pool tables and dart boards. There are all sorts of people in here. Young and old, some people with more money than others but no one seems to care. There's music and even people dancing.

We're sitting down to check out some potential costumers. There's a free booth right next to the bar.

We were able to drag some party people from the previous club with us. Just us as a couple would be too obvious.

I'm a little relieved when I see the back of a woman who seems to wear a dress, too, sitting right behind Josh in another booth. She's probably on a date or something. I wish I could say the same.

"So! Who orders the first round?" Josh asks.

He's been getting really drunk the past hour and I don't even know if selling would still make sense in his current condition. I couldn't be happier though, at least it means he'll sleep far away from me. Preferably in front of the toilet.

"I will! Tequila?!" One of the guys we're with suddenly announces. His name is Mike, I think.

"Perfect!" Josh screams out, "I have to take a piss!"

I roll my eyes, classy Josh.

He gets up and I'm about to be left alone with Jason, the other guy we left the club with.

When Josh moves to get up, I can immediately see the woman's back again. Although she also seems to get up, probably to go fix her make up or something.

She moves to get out of the booth they're sitting in and that's the first time I'm able to see her date.

I instantly freeze and drop my phone when his just as shocked green eyes find mine. Jay. He loos at me for what feels like ten minutes, his eyes boring into mine. I can't figure out his emotions, he hides them pretty well. He was actually prettt good at that.

When I hear Jason say my name for probably the fifth time I snap back into present.

"Erin?" He touches my shoulder.

I turn to face him "yes?" I say softly, smiling at him. I need to keep my cool, this is a case I've been working on for a while now. Nothing can jeopardize that, not even Jay.

"Are you alright? You look like you've seen a ghost." He says. I laugh at that.

"I kind of feel like it." I say exhaling another nervous laugh. I feel his gaze on me, I can see that he still didn't move from the corner of my eye. I'm shifting uncomfortably and I know that I'm making it obvious that somethings wrong.

"Did I do anything?" He asks nervously.

"What? No! Don't worry everything's fine." I smile. Hoping I can convince him. I look up, when I suddenly hear Joshs loud voice.

"It's because she wants to sit next to her man asshead!" He is practically shouting through the whole bar on his last meters back to our booth. He laughs.

I notice Jays head snapping around. God please save me. His gaze follows Josh as he makes his way over to sit next to me. He sits down and puts his arm around me forcing a sloppy and disgusting kiss onto my lips.

My whole body is burning. This is my worst nightmare. I know for a fact that Jay is still looking at us and it breaks my heart. He doesn't even know what's going on.

I notice that his date is coming back from her trip to the bathroom. At least he'll be a little distracted now.

Mike comes back with our drinks and I can't ignore the heat rising up inside of me again, knowing that he's watching. He shifted, sitting more in the middle of their booth now, perfect for him to observe.

I decide in that second. No more business tonight. I'll just try to get out of this situation as soon as possible.

X...

It's been a few drinks and I'm dizzy, and still uncomfortable. Especially with a drunk Josh all over me.

I think the evening has been going ok considering the situation I've been in for the past hour when suddenly everything goes south.

"Hey!" I jump when I hear Josh shouting next to my ear "can I help you?! do you want to take a picture?!"

He is talking to Jay. Dammit!

"What?" Jay sounds unbothered, at least for everyone else. But he can't fool me. He is raging.

"You know what I mean dude. You have a beautiful girl sitting there. Why you keep starting at mine?!" He spits out. Shoot me now.

"She your property yeah?" Jay laughs sarcastically.

Josh is about to get up when I pull him down. Stopping him from lashing out. Jay can be so sassy but he doesn't know he's playing with fire right now. I mean obviously Jay knows how to defend himself, but Josh is crazy and plays dirty.

"Just let it go, babe" I say softly cupping his cheek. "He's not worth it." I tell him while looking over to Jay who is sitting 2 meters away from me, boiling, his hands formed into fists.

Suddenly Josh grabs my arm. Hard. Too hard. "Who the fuck do you think I am? Do you want me to hug it out or some shit?!" I try to get out of his grip and see Jay immediately jumping out of his seat.

"Let her go or you'll lose your head man." Jay says through gritted teeth, trying to stay calm. But I don't want him to safe me. I don't need him to safe me. I give him one look and he immediately knows that he should back off. At least that's something that works now.

"Nice ass." He wiggles his eyebrows and slaps my butt slightly. I jump and turn to fave him. What an asshole.

"Uhm excuse me?!" I angrily reply. But before I have the chance to defend myself, Jay steps in pushing him back. "You shouldn't have done that man." He spits out.

"Jay, stop." I say giving him a serious look to back off. But he ignores it turning back to the guy. I can't believe he is doing this. This is my battle to fight not his.

"Dude she's practically asking for it with that slutty dress and-" he can't finish his sentence because Jay knocks him out before he can say another word.

"Jay!" I scream angrily. He turns around and takes my hand without a word.

We continue walking through Chicago to the restaurant.

I'm pissed. I don't say a word for minutes until he speaks up. "He deserved it Er." He says. I guess that's his way of apologizing. Still, I don't say a word.

"So what, you're mad at me now for defending you?"

"No. I'm mad at you because I told you to stop but you just ignored me." I reply angrily. "I don't need you to fight my battles and I thought you respected me enough to back off and give me the chance speak up for myself." I cross my arms in front of my chest. I look at him but he doesn't seem to get it. I look down at his swollen hand, taking it into mine to look at it. He winces at my touch.

"We should go home. I think it's sprained." I say softly.

"But what about dinner?" He looks at me confused.

I shake my head slightly "I'm not hungry anymore anyways. Let's go." He doesn't say another word, he knows I'm pissed right now anyways.

When we arrive home, I immediately go to bed. Without sleeping of course. I figure he's taking care of his hand. He joins me about an hour later. We both know the other one is awake but don't say a word. Until he can't take it any longer and puts his arms around me from behind, kissing the back of my head.

"I'm sorry. I know you can fight your own battles." He muffles sadly into my hair.

"Then why didn't you let me?" I ask, not moving.

"Because I don't want you to fight any battles at all. I can't stand the thought of you not being safe. I'd rather have you mad at me than in danger." He sighs.

"I'd cuddle you into a blanket and protect you from the whole messed up world out there if I could." He continues. I turn to face him. "And I'm sorry for not listening to you, but I will never apologize for protecting you Erin." He says softly, tracing the back of his hand over the side of my face. I smile. My heart is beating faster. This man always knows what to say to me. I don't say anything else and slowly reach forward to kiss him, cuddling into his strong arms after. He kisses my forehead and we finally fall asleep. Together.

I look back at Josh.

"Josh I know you're upset but let the fuck go off my arm." I say, angry but quiet. And he finally seems to realise that I'm the one he's hurting right now. He suddenly lets go and looks at me like with an apologetic look.

"Go home, Josh. Now." I'm warning him with raised eyebrows and he seems to listen. He gets up, Jay still standing next to our booth. And before anyone, including Jay can react, Josh takes a swing at him. And then another one, and another one before the bartender and 'our friends' are able to separate them. Jay is sitting on the floor trying to realise what just happened, while Josh, mike, jason and jays date try their best to get the hell out of this bar.

I don't blame her, poor girl, worst date ever.

I don't care about Josh right now though.

"Jay." My voice is shaking. I kneel down next to him. He is bleeding, really bad. His cheekbone and lip are cut open and his left eye already looks swollen. Josh got him pretty good. Asshole.

I turn to take the ice, the Barkeeper is offering me to put on jays face. When I reach forward to put it on his eye, he suddenly grabs my wrist and stops me.

"Don't. Don't touch me Erin." His voice full of hurt and I want to start crying right there and then. I look at him in shock, tears filling my eyes. He looks like he is in pain and I don't know if it's physical or mental.

He takes the ice out of my hand and gets up to make his way out of the bar. My voice is still shaking "Jay wait!" I cry out.

I have to run after him.

Thanks for reading. I wrote this last night and I'm not sure if it's good tbh lol. If you have the chance, leave a review and let me know what you think! Thank you!