Scenes from SparkNA

Scene from The Best Distraction by Farrah F. Polestico

From the author: After a successful business deal, Georgie, Atkins, Lukas, Zang, Clyde, and Mariz decide to celebrate their success at one of New York's high-end clubs. Georgie and Atkins are having a little chat over cosmo and beer when Matt, Georgie's bastard of an ex-boyfriend comes. Not only does Matt ruin the moment but he and Atkins get physical.

Georgie is shaken by Matt's sudden and unexpected appearance. She quickly flees the scene but not before Atkins beat the hell out of Matt. Atkins follows her outside the club and gives her a ride home. Why can't she shake off Matt? She just wants to forget the whole mess that was her life, and maybe Atkins, with his angular jaw, day-old stubble and long lashes, is the best distraction.

"Georgie?"

My blood ran cold at the sound of that voice. I knew it all too well. I was suddenly consumed by the urge to run screaming for the hills.

"Matt?" My hands shook as I placed them on my lap. "I told you not to come near me again. Were you following me?"

I could feel Atkins's questioning stare beside me but I had no time for him right now. I clenched my fists, fighting for composure.

"I'm here with my officemates. I was just going to get a drink when I saw you here."

"I see. Well, have a good evening." I stood up from my seat and was about to walk away when his hand clamped my forearm to stop me.

"Georgie, wait."

I glared at him and said, "Let go of me, Matt."

"Just please listen to me for a minute." His eyes were pleading but it didn't have the same effect to me as back then.

"Let go, Matt," I repeated. I shook my arm from his grip rather harshly.

"The lady doesn't want to talk to you, man. So I strongly suggest you leave her alone." There was an underlying threat in Atkins's voice. The air was filled with a tangible tension all of sudden. They were glaring at each other like two alpha lions. They stood toe to toe, staring down the other man.

"Is this your new boyfriend, Georgie?" Matt asked, his eyes not leaving Atkins. "Looks like a scum to me," Matt spat.

Atkins reared back his head and his forehead slammed into Matt's nose with a sickening crunch. Blood splattered down Matt's chin. He cradled his broken nose for a moment and when the initial shock wore off he swung his fist back and hit Atkins square in the jaw. Atkins tackled Matt to the ground. The people gathered around us, most of them were gasping in surprise while a few others were egging them on.

Matt and Atkins were writhing and grunting on the floor. Atkins caught Matt in a headlock and Matt was desperately clawing at Atkins's arms to break free. Atkins's jaw was swollen and his nose bleeding. Matt's blood was staining his immaculate suit, his face red from choking.

Four men broke through the crush of people around us. One of them had a shaved head and a huge bulk— the bouncer. The other three were Zang, Clyde and Lukas. The bouncer pried them apart. Zang and Lukas held back Atkins, while the bouncer and Clyde tightly held Matt.

"We're not done here, you little piece of shit!" cried Matt as he tried to break free from the bouncer's grip. "Let go of me!" he said to the bouncer and to Clyde.

Three men in equally expensive business suits hovered at the edge of the crowd. They were Matt's friends and they eyed him warily.

"Both of you, stop it now!" I screamed through the noise of the club and of the people milling around. "Matt, please just get the hell out of here."

Matt shook his head. "We're not done yet, Georgie." Without a word Matt turned his back and walked away, the bouncer and his friends following closely behind him.