The Abusive Man(EDITING AT THE MOMENT)

Chapter 14:I'M ON TO YOU.

Introductions at the retirement party were going well, everyone was so nice and welcoming. Despite that, I still couldn't help the overwhelming feeling that came over me with being out in public.

So many new faces and not many places to hide..

If Liam was in this crowd I wouldn't even know it. So many men around me with similarities to him, weather it's hair colour, dark features or his loud obnoxious laugh.

This is my life.. This is what I have to get used to. I got out, I'm away from him, and because of that I'm going to spend the rest of my life looking over my shoulder wondering IS TODAY THE DAY??

Zach snaked his arm around my waist and I jumped at the sudden contact. "You're a little on edge, Kate. Is there something wrong?"

I looked at him and mustered a smile. "No, Everything's fine. I'm just not so good with crowds. Maybe a drink will loosen me up."

"Let's go to the bar then."He placed his arm around me again and we walked towards the bar."You decided to show your face, Theo."

The man that was standing at the bar holding a bottled beer in his hand was looking right at us. I remember Zach mentioning a Theo before, It's the best friend I think.

"Well since you're paying, I thought I'd come and enjoy the free bar."He chuckled."Besides, I think tonight might be my chance with Hilary."

Zach turned his head and looked towards the dance floor."Yeah, I don't think so. I'm pretty sure Hilary knows better than that."

"Not if she's drunk she doesn't."Theo said, jokingly. Or at least I think he did. He looked me up and down."So I'm guessing you're the new girl Zach has been talking so much about."

"Yes, This is her."Zach replied, proudly. "Theo, This is Kate Darcy. The girl I can't stop talking about."He put the emphasis on the word can't.

I thought it was cute that he talked to his friend about me. Through introductions so far tonight, Zach seemed so proud to have me on his arm. It was a whole different experience than what I had with Liam.

I extended my hand between Theo and I in politeness."It's really great to finally meet you, Theo."

"You too, Kate."He shook my hand."I've heard a lot about you. I'm guessing you've heard a bit about me too. All Bad I'm guessing?"

I chuckled."Nothing bad, just a couple of funny stories."

"Funny stories, well we have plenty of those. I'm going to have to catch you alone later and find out what ones he told. Let's get you two a drink."

We grabbed a drink at the bar and I got to spend some time getting to know Theo. It was important to me that he liked me, I wanted desperately to make a good impression with the people in Zach's life.

It occurred to me that I was no longer treating our relationship like it was expendable. I was meeting his friends and going to work functions with him, it felt like the plans I had for Paris had gone out the window.

I wasn't sure how I felt about that yet.. But I do know how I feel about him. I like spending time with him.. I like just being in his presence. Being with Zach puts myself at risk! I'm still here in LA when I should be settled in Paris by now.

"Oh, Look what the cat dragged in!" Theo said, snapping me out of my thoughts."I thought you said that you were too good for the likes of us."

I turned my head slightly and saw that Michelle had just reached us. I was glad to finally see a familiar face.

"No, Just you."She pulled a face at him, before looking at me."Sorry I'm late, I was hoping to get here sooner to save you from the likes of Theo."

"Oh so that's how it is. And here I was trying my best to be a gentleman getting you a drink."Theo placed the glass of champagne back down on the bar."I'll keep it for myself now."

"The drinks are free so I can get my own."Michelle turned to me, trying her best to completely ignore him."Come to the ladies with me, Kate."

"Okay.."I noticed Zach's smirk."I'll be back in a second."I left the bar and followed Michelle around the people dancing towards the bathroom. I had a feeling she was asking me to go with her just so she could get away from Theo.

We've talked about him a couple of times, but she never mentioned that she had a problem with him. They both have pretty strong personalities so maybe it's just the way they get on.

We were both stood in front of the mirror in the empty bathroom. I was washing my hands while Michelle coated her lips with lipstick."So Theo seems nice."

Michelle chuckled."Seems being the operative word. Me and Theo have always clashed a little, he just loves to push my buttons."

"So you don't like him then?"I asked.

"It's not that I don't like him, it's just I worry sometimes if he has Zach's best interest at heart. As a best friend he should, but I think he just wants him to live the party boy lifestyle."

Party boy lifestyle, that strikes me as the type of guy that Theo is. Zach is the opposite of that. His focus is on work.. And well now me I guess.

I looked at Michelle in the mirror."Do you think he has a problem with me? Zach isn't exactly living the party boy lifestyle with me hanging around."

"Zach doesn't want to live the party boy lifestyle, trust me. That's all Theo! You don't need to worry about his opinions, Zach is crazy about you and that's all that matters."

"I guess so, I just hoped to get on with Theo for Zach's sake."He seemed like he liked me, perhaps it was just an act. Or maybe Theo saw that Zach and I had something good and decided to put in the effort.

A couple of hours of mingling had passed and I found myself sitting at the bar alone. Michelle was living it up on the dance floor and Zach was chatting business. I didn't mind, it was nice to have a few moments to myself after making polite conversation the entire night.

"Zach finally left your side then."Theo said, as he settled on the stool beside mine."He looks like he's in his element over there."

My lips quirked upwards."I don't mind, it's no big deal."

"I've always envied him for his work ethic, I wish I had it in me."Theo signaled the waiter for a beer and it was in front of him a couple of seconds later."So you and him are the real deal then?"

"Yes, At least I think so. I think he does too. He's a great guy."

"He is a great guy. He doesn't deserve to be messed around, Kate."He turned his head and looked at me, his expressions changed completely."I wish he would choose more carefully about who he spends his time with."

I was offended. Was he really trying to say that I was bad for Zach? I haven't given him a reason to think so, I've been trying to make a good impression on him all night.

"I would never hurt him, I have only good intentions towards him. You don't need to worry."

"You see, I don't think that's true."Theo sipped from his beer bottle, before settling it back down on the bar."Zach has told me enough about you to know that you're hiding something. You might be able to pull the wool over his eyes.. But not mine."

Crap!! How did he catch on to me so quick.. And what was Zach telling him that had him curious in the first place. How can I fix this? Lying is my only option.

A lump formed in my throat and I swallowed loudly."I'm not hiding anything. I understand that you're protective of your best friend, but I would never hurt him I swear it."

"Just know that whatever it is I will find out. You're a liar, Kate. You're going to hurt him more than anyone else ever has."He looked to his right and noticed Zach walking towards us."You could always tell him the truth before I find out and tell him myself. The choice is yours."