THE LONG AND WINDING ROAD || Paul McCartney [Completed]

12. I Did Something Bad

I can feel the flames on my skin
Crimson-red paint on my lips
If a man talks shit
Then I owe him nothing
I don't regret it one bit
'Cause he had it coming

---

Natalie batted smoke from her face and let out a choking cough as she and Danny entered the pub. Music was playing in the background but nearly drowned out from the sounds of laughter and conversation. They weaved their way through the crowd and sat at the bar. Danny ordered an ale, but Natalie opted for a glass of rum and coke.

They sipped on their drinks quietly, not really having much to talk about. That was the difference between Danny and Paul. Natalie always found something to talk about with Paul, yet the only thing she had in common with Danny was fighting.

Danny eventually struck up a conversation with the bartender, who was interested in the fight club. Natalie threw in her two cents now and then, but was more intrigued by the people in the pub. She turned on her stool, sipping her rum gingerly as she observed the crowd. She recognized a lot of musicians. Donna would have a field day in a place like this, but Natalie couldn't care less. That was until a familiar man with a head full of hair caught her attention. She couldn't see his face very well because he was too busy sticking his tongue down some girl's throat. But Natalie would recognize his physique anywhere.

She felt her pulse throb, and an angry growl rumbled in her chest. Paul hadn't kissed her once. Not one bloody time yet he was perfectly okay with making out with some girl he probably met only moments ago. She was livid and wanted nothing more than to march over to him and smack him. But it wasn't her place to be angry anymore. She and Paul were nothing. They always were nothing and even more so now. She took a gulp of rum and glowered at him from over the rim of her glass. She was chugging her drink and didn't even realize it until Danny grabbed the bottom of her glass.

"Whoa there, tiger! Slow down!" He said, and Natalie threw him a side-glance.

"Oh bite me," She snapped, her eyes shifting over to Paul once again.

Danny followed Natalie's gaze, and his eyes widened in realization, "Oh, I see," He cleared his throat, "Do you want to leave?"

Natalie bit her lower lip and shook her head, "No, I want to stay. I'm not even bothered." She stuck her nose in the air and spun around, so she was facing the bar once again.

Danny's brows flew up, and he smirked, "You're not?"

"Nope, he can kiss whomever he wants." She huffed, blowing hair from her face before taking a swig of her rum.

"If you insist." Danny wasn't sure if he could believe her or not, but she was handling it far better than he would have thought. Although, Natalie had been very irritable as of late and it was becoming a growing concern for him and the others at the club. 

Natalie eyed Paul and the girl briefly to see they were no longer kissing. In fact, Paul was now sitting down on a stool sipping a drink by himself. He probably got rid of her, something he was good at apparently. Natalie hated feeling so bitter but she couldn't help it. The longer she was away from Paul, the more she despised him.

"Hey, I have to go to the lavatory, I'll be back alright?" Danny whispered, leaning in so she could hear him. She turned to him and gave him a quick nod.

"Sure," She said, swirling her glass and watching her drink swish around. She watched him leave before letting out a small sigh. Her eyes drifted over to Paul once again. She just couldn't stop staring at him, and she knew she needed to control herself before he caught her staring. She almost wanted him to see her, but then a part of her was terrified of his reaction.