Give and Take - Joe Burrow AU

Chapter 5

***trigger warning

mentions of m/f domestic abuse and violence

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"Travis is here." you respond, grimacing in his direction.

She turns to look over her shoulder.

" ... and he's coming this way."

Your ex proved to be one of then worst people on the planet. While that is the consensus amongst most couples who have broken up, you like to believe he takes the cake.

He quickly makes it to your table in a few strides with a smug look on his face.

"Hey guys. Long time, no see."

He leans his arm on the back of your chair, looking down at you.

"Can I help you?" you question with a look of disgust on your face.

"Just being friendly, Anna."

"For once ..." you quip. "I'm trying to have a nice night with my friends if you don't mind, thanks."

He looks around the table as if waiting for someone to beg him to stay. Of course, no one does considering your past with him. Your friends were never his friends despite what he thinks.

"Nice to see no one has changed." He mutters.

Putting his hands up to surrender, he backs away from the table.

"Jeez ... tough crowd. I'll be seeing you around." he directs at you with a wink.

With a roll of your eyes, you quietly apologize to the table for the interruption and motion for the waitress to bring the check.

"No, no. Please, it's my treat." Joe insists, taking the check and handing over his credit card.

"I just want to get out of here." you say and the rest of the group thanks Joe for dinner.

"He's a tool Anna. Forget about it!" Tana says, caressing your back on the car ride home.

"I'm fine ... just annoyed is all."

You pinch the bridge of your nose as you feel a stress headache coming on.

"He always does this. Pops up out of the blue to remind me how miserable our relationship was."

"He must be looking for me to beat his ass again." your brother comments from the row behind, garnering a defeated laugh from you.

"Who was that girl?" Tana wonders aloud.

"I don't know, and I don't care." You reply, watching the nightlife whizz by the window to distract yourself.

--

Travis was a class A narcissist. You had met him for the first time at 15 years old when you attended the Grammy's after party. You had swept the rap category with your debut album.

As you awkwardly made small talk with your music idols, Travis had approached you, offering to sneak you some alcohol. Taking him up on his offer, you and him sipped champagne behind some bushes. He was charming, he made you laugh, and he was incredibly handsome.

You didn't meet again for 2 years, spotting him at a night club one night with your friends. From there, you both were inseparable.

3 long years of dating turned into the most tumultuous experience of your life. The honeymoon phase was far over just a couple months in, but you were convinced that if you love someone, you make it work no matter the circumstances.