Vulnerable (Book One) Complete!

chapter twenty three

Jensen

     "When does Harry get back?" My dad asked in passing while serving drinks. The bar was jam packed, my dad and I constantly running around each other all afternoon.

"Tonight. He's picking me up after I close." I took the cap off of two bottles before setting them on the bar for the two men in front of me. They nodded in my direction before turning their attention back to the TV.

     "Why don't you invite him over for dinner tomorrow? I'd like to get to know him a little better since he's now dating my daughter." He winked at me, making me shake my head as I continued pouring drinks.

     "I'll ask, I'm not sure if he has more interviews and what not here." I told him before going back to the walk in cooler for another case of Coors Light. I scanned the bar, looking for Reese who was carrying a tray of food while also grabbing orders from another table. She never had to write orders down, she somehow memorized them in that big head of hers. It always amazed me.

     Harry had called me after his interview last night, asking what I thought of being the girlfriend of a handsome and famous musician to which I had rolled my eyes at. But the truth was, I never thought I'd be in this position. I never thought the night he came into the bar months ago would change everything for me. This was something I thought about a lot.

     "Jensen, you coming? We just got a whole new wave." I looked to the door, noticing the crowd of people scrambling through the door. I let out a heavy sigh before getting back to my spot behind the bar.

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     "Well shit, I think that's the busiest day we've had in a long time." Reese plopped down on a bar stool, wiping her forehead with the back of her hand. Dad and I were both leaning on the bar, all three of us trying to catch our breath.

     "Language, Reese." My dad shook his head. I laughed, knowing Reese got her potty mouth from our mom. She used to cuss like a sailor and Reese was just as bad but I wasn't much better. My dad did his best not to cuss around us.

     "Sorry Dad, bad habit." Reese shrugged, rolling her eyes at me. I poured myself a glass of water, grabbing a towel to wipe my face.

     "Reese, get out of here. Go do homework or hang out with your friends, just be careful. Let me
know when you're coming home." I threw the towel in my hands at her, making her stick her tongue out at me while she picked it up, throwing it back at me. I caught it, laughing.

     "See you all same time tomorrow." She saluted us as she walked out the door and into the night.

     "You go home too old man. I got this." My dad acted offended at my use of old man, making me chuckle.

     "You know, for someone whose name isn't on the lease, you sure act like you run this place." I gave him a cheesy grin, placing my hands on my hips. He waved me off, both of us chuckling.

     "I mean, I think I am the reason all the customers coming in. Don't you know I'm dating a famous musician now?" I joked, making my dad laugh as he cashed himself out for the night.

"I'll see you tomorrow kiddo, be safe. Let me know what Harry says about dinner." I told him I would as I hugged him. The door chime rang as he left, leaving me to the gigantic mess from before. I turned on the jukebox, playing Kiwi, and jamming out as I picked up glasses and spilled bottles.

"I'M HAVING YOUR BABY! IT'S NONE OF YOUR BUSINESS." I was shouting as I danced around the empty floor. Just as I was almost finished cleaning, continuing to play Harry's album, I heard the door chime from back in the kitchen. I looked at my watch, noticing it was 2AM.

I shot up, hoping to see Harry at the bar but instead being met with a different yet familiar face. He was smirking at me beneath the different shades of bruising around his eyes and nose. I narrowed my eyes at him, instantly remembering this was the asshole I'd punched awhile back.

"We're closed." I stated, crossing my arms over my chest. He just kept smirking at me as he slid into the bar seat, not saying a word. I rolled my eyes. "Seriously dude, get out before I have to break your nose again."

"Oh so you do remember me then, huh?" He slurred his words. I noticed his eyes were bloodshot and glassy. He was drunk. Fabulous.

"I'm not in the mood to deal with the cops tonight so seriously scram." He didn't budge and I was getting extremely annoyed at this point. "I said, get out."

He kept silent, the disgusting smile still on his face. I felt my phone vibrate in my pocket, the message quickly appearing on my FitBit.

On my way love! I'm so excited to see your gorgeous face xx -H

I smiled at the message, my heart swelling. I'd missed Harry so much. He'd been gone a whole two weeks and I'd been looking forward to today.

I looked up, noticing the asshole was still sitting on the barstool, his eyes still glued to me. This kid must have been on some drugs too. His behavior was beginning to freak me out.

"I don't want to have to do this but if you don't leave, I'm calling the police." I stated, watching him stand up from the stool and head towards me. I backed away until I hit the wall, noticing I was trapped.

"You know, you embarrassed me in front of my friends, my girlfriend broke up with me because I got beat up by a girl, and my father didn't even side with me when I told him what happened. He wouldn't even file a lawsuit against you! And you broke my nose! Do you know how much it cost to get this fixed?!" He was shouting now, slamming his fist on the bar. I gulped, trying to stay calm. I'd beat this kid once, I could do it again.

He kept stumbling toward me. He was tall, towering over my small frame. He plastered that dumb grin on his face once again. I was internally begging for Harry to get here. I grabbed my phone out of my pocket, dialing 911. The kid quickly ran towards me, snatching my phone out of my hand and tossing it across the floor.

He was way too close to me, the smell of alcohol on his breath almost overwhelming. I tried to think of a way out of this, going back to my self defense classes. His hands grabbed my neck, forcefully pulling my head up to look at him. He was crushing my windpipe, my breaths coming out ragged and shaky as I tried to pry his hands off of me. His wide, bloodshot eyes bore into mine.

"I think you'd look great with a broken nose too. And a know, a poor and pathetic bitch like you doesn't have the money to fix yours." My mind wanted to fall back on Ryan, on the similar position he put me in. I felt the tears welling in my eyes, the fear of this happening again was so overwhelming. I knew if I didn't fight back this time, the outcome would be way worse.

     I reacted quickly, bringing my knee up to his crotch, hearing him scream out in pain as he let go of my neck. He fell to the floor, cussing me out. I coughed, gasping for air.

I tried to get around him but his hand wrapped around my ankle, trying to yank me to the floor. I held onto the bar with dear life. I knew if I hit that floor, I was done for. I managed to turn in his grasp, using my arm strength to hold me up, I used my free foot to kick him in the nose. He let me go, once again screaming in agony before his head crashed into the concrete floor.

I ran over to my phone, my hands shaking as I dialed 911. I heard the door chime go off as I was talking to the operator, noticing Harry walking in. Tears spilled down my cheeks as I ran, crashing into him.

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Kind of a cliffhanger 😬😬😬