My brothers best friend

Chapter 17: Jealousy in Silence

(Edited)

Chapter 17

Valerie's Point of View

The bar was alive with energy. Laughter and music spilled out from every corner of the room, and the air smelled of beer and fried food. It was one of those nights where you couldn't help but feel lighthearted. The group had all decided to come here after a long day, and despite the usual stress of our lives, everyone seemed to be in good spirits, we had been going out a lot lately, having fun. Mason was already at the bar, telling some ridiculous joke to the bartender, while Connor and Viktoria sat in a corner booth, deep in conversation. Even Amelia and Jonathan were laughing together, though I could tell something was off with them.

I stood near the edge of the group with Paige and Jake, enjoying the warm feeling of being with friends. Paige was telling one of her usual stories, but I wasn't fully listening—I was too distracted by the way the room felt tonight. There was something different in the air, something exciting, but maybe it was just the fact that I hadn't had a night like this in a while. It felt good to laugh, to let the small moments matter.

I wasn't even paying attention when he walked in.

At first, I noticed him out of the corner of my eye, a tall guy with dark hair, standing at the bar for a drink. But after a few minutes, I saw his gaze shift across the room and land on me. There was something in the way his eyes lingered. A predatory glint. I shook it off, telling myself I was overthinking it, but then he took a step toward us.

Before I could even turn fully to face him, I felt his presence close behind me, invading my space. He had that confident swagger, like he was entitled to be anywhere, to do anything.

"Hey," he said smoothly, his voice low and playful.

I turned, giving him a polite but distant smile. "Hi," I said, trying to keep it casual. "How's it going?"

"I don't think I've seen you here before," he said, sizing me up. "You come here often?"

"Not really," I replied quickly, taking a small step back, hoping to signal that I wasn't interested in continuing the conversation. "Just out with friends."

His gaze didn't move away. It stayed fixed on me, too intense, too interested in a way that immediately made me uncomfortable.

"Good company, huh?" he added, a slight smirk creeping on his face. "I bet you're the best thing in the place tonight."

I forced a polite laugh, but the smile didn't reach my eyes. "Thanks," I said, trying to edge away from him. "But I'm just here to have fun, not to—"

Before I could finish my sentence, he took another step closer. My stomach tightened.

"You know," he said, his voice dropping even lower, "I've got a feeling you could be a lot more fun if you just let go a little."

I blinked, trying to read the situation. I wanted to just walk away. But there was something about him—the way he was crowding me—that made me freeze. His words hung in the air like an unwanted cloud.

"Excuse me," I said, my voice firmer this time. "I don't think this is going anywhere."

He laughed, clearly not taking me seriously. "You don't have to be shy. I bet you could use a little excitement."

I could feel the walls in my mind going up. I wasn't sure what I was more annoyed by—the fact that he wasn't taking no for an answer, or the fact that I didn't know how to make him leave me alone without causing a scene. I glanced around for anyone who could help, but it was like time slowed down. I saw Mason talking to a bartender, Paige deep in conversation with Connor, and Jake standing nearby, laughing at something with Amelia.