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

13. Edge of Desire

don't say a word
just come over and lie here with me
'cause I'm just about to set fire to everything I see

I want you so bad I'll go back on the things I believe
there I just said it
I'm scared you'll forget about me

----

Paul stood in front of The Fight Club for what felt like minutes. He had no idea what he was thinking, but he just needed to talk to her. After he slept off the alcohol, he realized what a fool he had been. Did he really think he was going to win her over the way he did at the pub? He would be denying himself if he said he didn't enjoy the feeling of being so close to her and tasting her skin on his lips. That was all very nice but his actions were reprehensible and he needed her to forgive his recklessness. The question was: Would she even consider speaking with him?

He chewed on his bottom lip and began to pace in front of the front entrance. He pulled out a cig and lit it, taking a much-needed drag and exhaled the smoke. He closed his eyes and pursed his lips together as he gathered his thoughts. The worst thing that could happen was she would simply reject his offer to have a conversation, or she would just beat him up. At this point, he wouldn't put it past Natalie to do such a thing, especially after the way she left him so hot and bothered at the pub. She was sweet one minute and a sadist the next. After a long moment of imagining every possible scenario in his mind that could go wrong, he snuffed the ciggy out and waltzed into the club before he changed his mind.

He didn't make it very far before Danny stepped in front of him, blocking his passage, "Did something happen between you and Natalie at the pub?" he asked, his eyes darkening as he sized Paul up.

Paul really didn't want to discuss this with Danny. He took a slight step away from him and shook his head, "Why? What's it to you?"

"Because she was with me that night and she saw you making out with some girl at the bar. I went to the loo, but when I came back she was leaving and acting very strange. Did you say something to her?"

Paul sighed, "We talked for a moment, yes."

"That's all?"

"Why does it matter? Were you on a date with her or—" Paul didn't want to think about Natalie on a date with someone else. The thought made him livid.

"Sort of yeah," Danny crossed his arms over his chest, "Look, McCartney, you had your chance, and you blew it so why are you here?"

In reality, Paul knew he had no chance fighting against Danny, but in a much different world, he imagined punching him square in the jaw and winning. "I just want to speak to her. Can you please tell me where she is?"

"She's over there," Came a softer voice from behind him. Paul turned around to see Donna smiling at him. "She's sparring with Matthew on that training mat just over there," She pointed him in the right direction, "Go on, and I'll handle Danny."

Paul nodded in thanks and shot Danny a glare before moving past him to go see Natalie. He found her sparring with her brother just like Donna said. He didn't want to interrupt so he grabbed a chair and sat down, watching patiently until they were finished.

He enjoyed watching Natalie. Her movements were quick and agile, and for someone so small, she held a lot of power and tenacity. He smiled as she and her brother danced around each other and she threw jibes his way the entire time, taunting him until he charged for her and knocked her to the ground hard. He watched as the wind was knocked out of her and she groaned in pain. He felt his heart stop and a part of him wanted to run over to her, but the other part was curious about how she would snap back.

And he was right, her resolve did not falter because she leaped up and flipped herself over her brother and threw him to the ground. She looked up in triumph, and the wide grin on her face immediately faded the moment she saw him sitting there.