Free Protect Me by Jennifer Culbreth Page B

streets. The Hill was a small night club that he and Jace liked to go to. They played a good mix of music, and there were always hot girls to choose from. Not to mention that since Ryan had been spotted there a few times the owner now gave him the VIP treatment, saying that it was Ryan that helped to double his business of customers hoping to see a famous face. He pulled up out front and got out handing his keys over to the valet. The boy looked like it was Christmas morning as he stared at the Challenger.
    “You put a scratch on it and I will put one on you. You hear me?” He looked sternly at the kid.
    “Oh, yes sir. I will take good care of it I promise. This is a sweet ride.” The boy still stared at the car not even looking Ryan’s way.
    “Good to hear.” Ryan patted the boy on his shoulder and headed inside.
    The music swirled through the air, but not as loudly as some of the other night clubs in the area. This was a place you could actually go and have drink, while being able to hear the person you were talking to. Making his way to the bar, avoiding the few patrons dancing along to a Mumford and Son’s song. He grabbed a stool towards the end of the bar and sat down, when a strong hand clasped down on his shoulder.
    “Ahh, my boy, you come back to see me, yes.” He didn’t have to turn to know whose Italian accent that was.
    “You know, one of these days I am gonna charge for you for being a walking advertisement for your bar.” Ryan joked back. “How have things been Sonny?”
    “About as good as they can get for a poor man trying to make it in the big city.”
    “Poor enough for a new Rolex?” Ryan narrowed his eyes with a smile as he looked at Sonny’s wrist.
    “Oh, this old thing. It’s a knock off anyways.”  He put his finger to his lips as if trying to hide a secret. “My boy, let me take care of you and your friends tonight, will you be having company? Let me set up a booth for you in the back.”
    “No, no need tonight, it will just be Jace and I. He should be coming in anytime now.”
    “If you insist. It’s good to see you out my boy.” Patting his shoulder Sonny parted and headed towards the back of the club.
    As Ryan glanced back up towards the door looking for Jace, his eyes met with a pair of brown doe eyes. His stomach did flips, Abbi was here. His face turned into a smile as he stood trying to look around the guy sitting next to him. Disappointment sank into his gut as he realized it wasn’t her after all. He sat back down and motioned for the bartender, ordering a scotch on the rocks. Taking a sip of his drink he told himself that he was going to have to get over this fascination, and soon. It was messing with his head so bad he could barely stand it. The whole reason he came out tonight was to get Abbi off of his mind. Snapping him out of his thoughts, Jace came up and took the stool next to him.
    “Dude, why do you look like someone ran over your puppy?”
    “What the hell are you talking about Jace?”
    “You look like hell man, have you been sleeping? Or attempting to cook again? You know the last you tried that, you nearly burnt down your kitchen.”
    “Yes I have been sleeping and no trust me I leave the cooking solely to Trish. And it was just a damn bag of rice.”
    “If you say so.” Jace motioned for the bartender requesting a beer and a shaker of salt. “So what’s going on man, I haven’t seen you like this in a while. Having problems with flashbacks again? You know that’s why we pay that therapist a shit ton of money, he will come to your house if you need him to.” Jace grabbed the glass of beer from the bartender and took the shaker of salt, sprinkling a little onto his napkin before placing down his damp glass.
    “No, it’s not flashbacks. Well not those kind at least. I am fucked up over a girl.”
    “What?” Jace literally almost fell out of his chair. “Who is it? Where did you meet her, hell when did you meet her? I know your ass