Chapter 19 Actors

Rory's POV

I look at that ugly snarl on her face and the threat she’s promising from her eyes directed right at me. She is trying to hide behind a mask, but I don't think it's working as well as she thinks it does. I can see through the cracks of her facade.

Well, that certainly explains a lot. I guess she’s a little bitter that he is here with me and wants nothing to do with her. Not that I can blame him. If I were in his shoes, I probably wouldn’t want anything to do with her either. She probably knows it too… So why is she really here then?

“Baby, you don’t need to do that! Right Jack?” She panics, rushing up, trying to pry his arms off me, but it’s not working because he just steels his arms, anchoring me to him.

It’s only then I see a man standing behind the drama bitch. He is handsome, but nowhere near as good looking as Colt. She ditched her husband for this man? And now she is here crawling to get him back? I don’t know if she’s a dumb blonde or not, but I highly doubt that is actually going to work.

Jack steps out from behind the crazy lady looking contrite. “Colt, you don’t need to do this. We’re sorry, and I’ll back off, I swear. Belle and I talked about it and we want you to know we’ll take whatever punishment you want, but just forgive us.”

I watch as this man eyes me with something… Angry. He doesn’t like me for some reason, and I have no idea what I did to insult him, because I have no idea who he actually is other, than he is the man who Colt’s wife cheated on with. How does that translate into me being the bad guy?

Colt shakes his head in disbelief and disgust. And yet he still doesn't let me go. If anything, he pulls me tighter against him. I can't complain too much, I really like the feel of his arms around me.

“What are you even doing here? I told both of you I never wanted to see you again. If you can’t tell, I’m here with a friend and I don’t have time for idiots like you,” Colt asserts, “Now, if you’ll excuse me. I’d like to salvage the rest of my night out!” He grumbles as he’s pulling me away from them and back to our table.

The moment we were off the dance floor the music started back up and everyone went back to what they were doing before. Thank heavens for that! I don’t know if I’ve ever been so embarrassed in my life. And not just for me, it was second hand embarrassment, and I’m not sure if it was for Colt or the ex.

“I’m so sorry about all that,” he huffs as he helps me up into the high bar stool. But he continues to stay by my side instead of taking his own seat. He looks into my eyes and I see the frustration he's trying to keep at bay. “I promise, I’ll explain everything to you in the morning. But tonight, I just want to spend time with you,” He smiles sadly.

“It’s okay. I know you didn’t expect them to show up. And everyone has some baggage they wish they didn’t have,” I try to reassure him. I should know! I'm still looking over my shoulder for Asher.

He chuckles and takes my hand and squeezes softly. I really like it when he holds my hand. They are big and warm and secure... They are confident hands. Hands that seem to hold promises...

He was just about to lean over and whisper something in my ear, but his ex and Jack showed up. They must not have taken the hint that Colt didn’t want to be around them because they followed us. Colt's smile immediately turned into a snarl.

“What the hell do you want?” Colt demands.

“Well, for one, I want you to ditch the bitch so we can talk like grown-ups and work on our marriage,” Belle huffs, still sneering at me.

Wow… What is this girls’s problem? She doesn’t know a damn thing about me!

“Well, that’s not happening, because we don’t have a marriage worth saving. You get to keep all your play money and Jack gets to keep everything that is in his account. That should be enough for you to live on for a few months before you need a new job,” Colt shrugs. “Be grateful I don’t sue you for every dime you own.”

“Colt, you can’t do this to us. We’ve been friends for years, we deserve better than this. Don’t you think we should get a chance to redeem ourselves?” Jack argues.

“Honestly? Nope. I have no guilt. I’ve been told that a cheater is always gonna be a cheater, and both of you have cheated me. I won’t be fooled again. So keep your lies and anything else you were trying to throw at me to ruin my night out. How the hell did you know I’d be here anyway?” Colt demands.

Jack just smirks and winks at me. “I’ve got my ways,” he drawls.

I look at him in shock. What on earth is he saying?