I had some help

Forty-nine

The bar was crowded, the air thick with the sound of music and laughter. Morgan sat at a dimly lit corner table, nursing a drink while Michael chatted animatedly with a few friends nearby. The scene replayed in his mind, Alex, smiling and engaged in conversation with Riley. The image gnawed at him, the jealousy and frustration bubbling up despite his efforts to suppress it.

Morgan took another swig of his drink, trying to drown out the memories and the emotions they stirred. He was about to signal for another round when a woman approached his table. She was attractive, with dark hair and a confident smile. She leaned in closer, her perfume mingling with the scent of alcohol in the air.

"Hey there." She said, her voice smooth and flirtatious. "You look like you could use some company."

Morgan glanced up, his eyes briefly meeting hers before looking away. "Yeah, maybe." He muttered, not really in the mood for conversation but not wanting to be alone either.

She took a seat next to him, her knee brushing against his. They exchanged small talk, her laughter ringing out occasionally as she tried to lift his spirits. Morgan found himself responding more out of habit than genuine interest. But as the drinks kept coming, his inhibitions started to fade.

The woman leaned in closer, her hand resting on his arm. "You know," She said, her voice low and inviting. "We could get out of here, find somewhere a little more private."

Morgan hesitated, a part of him knowing this was a bad idea. But the image of Alex with Riley was like a thorn in his side, and the need to escape that pain was overwhelming. He turned to face the woman fully, his eyes meeting hers with a newfound intensity.

Without another word, he leaned in and kissed her. The kiss was hard and desperate, fueled by a mix of anger, jealousy, and a desire to forget. She responded eagerly, her arms wrapping around his neck as the kiss deepened.

Across the bar, Michael noticed Morgan's sudden movement and the woman leaning in. His eyes widened in realization and he quickly excused himself from the group he was with. He started weaving through the crowd, trying to reach Morgan before things went too far.

But he was too late. By the time Michael reached the table, Morgan and the woman were locked in a passionate kiss. Michael stopped in his tracks, frustration and concern etched on his face.

"Morgan!" Michael shouted over the din of the bar, but his voice was drowned out by the noise. He reached out, but hesitated, not wanting to cause a scene.

Morgan pulled back slightly, his breath heavy, as he looked at the woman. Her eyes were bright with desire, but he could see the confusion there too. He forced a smile, trying to shake off the lingering guilt.

The woman leaned in and whispered something in Morgan's ear, causing him to nod. Without another word, she took his hand and led him toward the exit.

Michael watched, a sinking feeling in his stomach. "Morgan, wait!" He called out, but his voice was lost in the crowd. He pushed through the throng of people, trying to catch up, but by the time he reached the door, they were already gone.

He stepped outside, scanning the street for any sign of Morgan and the woman, but they had disappeared into the night. Michael cursed under his breath, pulling out his phone to call Morgan, but it went straight to voicemail.

"Dammit, Morgan." Michael muttered to himself, feeling a mix of worry and frustration. He knew his friend was hurting, but this wasn't the way to deal with it. As he stood there, the cold night air biting at his skin, Michael could only hope that Morgan would come to his senses before things got worse.