Free Dirty by H.J. Bellus

dance in a hurry, even though the music still pumps throughout the club and reach Ava in three long strides.
    Oliver has made his way back down to the ground, but still has his hand laced in her hair. The fucker pulls her face up to his before I have the chance to pull him off. He’s aggressive as he goes in for a kiss, but misses Ava’s lip because she turns her head.
    Security beats me to the punch, pulling Oliver off of her, and Ross works his magic avoiding a hostile situation at all cost. He calls Rhett to the stage and on cue he’s up there humping the stage in his skimpy thong. All eyes are on him.
    Oliver disappears with security down the long hallway to the dressing room. The fucker better be fired or I’ll slit a throat. I finally reach Ava. She’s sitting alone at a table with her face buried in the palms of her hands. All of her friends have flocked to the stage to get a taste of Rhett.
    “Ava.” I place the palm of my hand on the small of her back.
    Her spine stiffens and her chest heaves. It’s not until she looks up at me that I see the tears racing from her eyes.
    “Baby.” My arms wrap low around her waist, I lift her in one quick swoop, and cradle her to my chest. Ava’s arms wrap tight around my neck. She burrows her face in my bare chest. The tears stream down my abs and with each step I feel like a bigger dick than ever before.
    I weave through the crowd of women who are now mesmerized by Rhett on the stage and exit through the tiny kitchen where the fried bar food is made. No one asks a single question when they stare at me packing out a weeping customer. What have I done?
    The night air chills the perspiration on my skin along with Ava’s tears. The silence is deafening and for once I’m at a loss for words. It’s easier for me to be a dick and hide behind that stone wall I’ve built around myself.
    “Put me down.” Ava’s words are jumbled.
    “What?” I look down at her face tucked in my chest.
    “Please, put me down.” This time her words ring out in the dark alleyway.
    I’m gentler with her than I’ve been with anyone in my life as I set her down on the cracked asphalt, making sure she’s grounded before stepping back. Her pale face lights up the dark environment.
    “Are you okay?” I run my hands through my dark, damp hair. It’s then I realize I’m standing bare chested in front of her with the button of my jeans undone.
    “I think I’m going to be sick.” She turns from me and dry heaves on the side of the building.
    “Ava.” I lay my hand on the small of her back trying to comfort.
    “Please don’t touch me.”
    I back up and give her the time she needs. The back door swings open to the club and Rhett appears with a shit-eating grin.
    “Thought you’d be tapping that fine ass out here. Fuck, that show was off the hook. Made more money tonight than I have the entire month.”
    He’s oblivious, going on about the show and how entertained his dick is going to be tonight. I pace, my hands on my hips and don’t even know how to react. I’ve never felt this way about a woman. Ever. They’ve been fuck toys that I make money off and I’ve been the fucking king until she walked in tonight.
    “Your phone’s been going off like crazy in the dressing room.” Rhett holds out my cellphone with the lit screen and all the notifications going off. “I’m off. Found a hot bitch to tap tonight.”
    Rhett disappears back into the club before I have the chance to let him know that he better fucking keep Oliver away from me, so I don’t bash his fucking skull in.
    Silence bathes the alleyway for several more moments before Ava stands up and turns to me. Her tears are gone, color has raced back into her cheeks, but I don’t miss the hurt still lingering in her eyes. I wait for her to talk first because in this moment I have no words.
    “Is this why you don’t date?” she asks, crossing her arms and shivering in the night air.
    I hold my hand out to her instead of