The Soldier's Roommate

Chapter 16: Right?

Elijah

There's a code amongst veterans which says that we never hurt women or children, but some of us don't seem to honour it as much as most of us do.

I know Guy is the rather violent type, and his respect for women is generally non existent, which is why I instantly pull Alice back after she punched him straight on the nose. That was quite the right hook, I gotta give her that, but she doesn't need to get one herself. She begrudgingly gives in as I pull her next to me, watching Guy with caution, gauging his reaction.

To my surprise he just takes a step back, not that I'd let him get anywhere near Alice right now, but I figured he'd lose his shit one way or another. But then I hear the voice that makes me realize just why he took a step back, Rusty's aftershave lingering in the air when he comes up right behind me.

"What the fuck did you do now, Guy?!" He asks, crossing arms in front of his chest as he takes in the situation.

Now I know why Guy hasn't reacted yet. If there's anyone in this place every single one of us respects, it's Rick. He's done a ton for veterans, even lost a leg himself while serving for this country.

"I'm so sorry Rick, I didn't want to cause any trouble..." Alice shoots him an apologetic smile, and I honestly wonder why the hell she's the one apologizing here. It's not like she's the one who molested him.

"Oh, no, sweetheart. Guy gets himself in trouble most of the time. If he disrespected you..." And like he knew what he was looking for his eyes settled on the wrist Alice was still rubbing, the red bruises instantly sending another wave of fury down my spine.

God, how much I would've liked to punch the guy. Who knows how this situation would've turned out if Alice hadn't stepped between us...

"Alright Guy, that's it. Get out." Rick steps forward and pulls him by the elbow, making both Alice and I step to the side to give him space to escort him.

"What?! I didn't even..."

"Guy..." Rusty might look like a nice guy but when his tone gets threatening, no one would even dare to object his orders inside his own bar, and so I'm not too surprised when Guy just shakes his head as he follow him outside, turning his head to shoot me another look.

"See you around, Eli..."

"I really hope not."

It's been a while since I've seen Guy, which might be correlated to the fact that I generally don't show up here anymore. I can't say I've missed him though; it's quite the opposite.

I feel Alice's hand in my own, her gentle appearance in front of me looking so damn out of place in this rough and shabby bar... She just stands out, no matter where she goes. "Are you okay?" she asks, and I almost have to laugh at that.

"I'm the one that should ask you that..." Taking her hand in my own, I bring it up to my lips, placing a soft kiss on her bruised wrist.

The second I look back at her I see that fire again, that fire that had her punching Guy straight in the face a few minutes ago. And I don't know what it is, but I suddenly feel this pull to her, those green orbits studying me with curiosity, letting me swim in their gaze to find my way out of this cyclone that is this woman.

And I know she feels it, too. I see the ragged breaths she takes; I see how her cheeks flush, how she bites her cheeks from the inside... It's too much to handle, really. I guess that's why I decide to get out of here, pulling Alice after me as I rush to the booth, grabbing both our jackets and Alice's purse before I throw a twenty on Rusty's bar, eliciting a laugh from his direction that still echoes around us until we finally reach the exit.