couldn’t speak, my throat was dry and my chest was heaving. I couldn’t tell him the truth, it wouldn’t be right, and if I did I knew he would only wind up hurting me in the end.
“We’d better head back out there before they get suspicious.” I croaked. He cursed and pushed away from the door, letting me walk out first. He waited a full minute before following me. Tyler caught my eye, and my slightly disheveled appearance, as I took my seat. I smiled politely and gave my head a barely noticeable shake, silently pleading with him to let it go. Jesse dropped into his chair and glared at me one last time before turning away.
I twisted in my seat to resume my chat with Cassie. “Sorry about that. I was just saying that I have been working with Jesse for a little over two months,” I forced a smile and hoped that she wouldn’t pick up on my internal struggle.
“How exciting. I just love their music,” she gushed, continuing as if I hadn’t just disappeared for nearly fifteen minutes. “I still can’t believe that I am here with all of you. Sam is so sweet.”
“Yeah, Sam is great. You got lucky with that one.” I smiled and nudged her on the arm. Jesse remained silent and continued to scowl.
“Hey Jesse, what gives. You’ve been quiet all night. Why is your hair all messed up? Where did you and Rhyann slip off to?” Sam teased.
“Shut the fuck up Sam.” Jesse snapped. The whiskey had definitely kicked in, and I had an uneasy feeling that we would be continuing our conversation once we were alone.
“Rhyann?" Sam jerked his chin toward Jesse. "What’s up with this asshat, is he pissed at you or something? You know he’s got a thing for you don’t you?”
“Shut up, asshole!” Jesse growled, jumping up and knocking over his chair. He staggered slightly before steadying himself with the table.
Sam stood as well, and they glared at one another across the table with their fists clenched. I had seen them banter back and forth playfully, but this felt different. I looked nervously between them and prayed someone would put an end to it before things got out of hand. Of the two of them Sam had more bulk, and could probably do some harm, but I was sure Jesse was up for the challenge, drunk or not. Thankfully, Tyler broke the tension before any blood was spilled.
“Guys, both of you sit your ass down, now. This is my lovely wife’s birthday party, and I don’t want your dick swinging contest fucking it up.”
“Ha! Some contest. His doesn’t even come close,” chided Sam. Jesse stood and took several deep breaths, trying to calm down. Finally, he drew in one last breath and blew it out loudly.
“Dream on loser. You know I’ve got two inches on you easy,” Jesse swayed. Everyone at the table laughed and both guys sat back down. “Sorry about that Stefani. I’ll behave.”
“Yeah, sorry Stefani. Didn’t mean to ruin your party.” Sam made his best pouty face.
“It’s okay boys. Just promise me you’ll get along,” Stefani said in a motherly voice, looking at both of them.
“Yes Mom.” They replied, in unison.
“And, if memory serves, didn’t you two have this argument back in high school and it ended with a couple of dirty magazines and a ruler?” She chuckled, then leaned toward me and whispered behind her hand. “Jesse won.” She demonstrated by measuring with her hands and laughing. I found it hard to suppress the giggles when I knew Jesse was watching my every move.
We finished our dinner, and sang happy birthday when Tyler brought out a cake complete with twenty-eight candles. Jesse continued pouring from his nearly empty bottle, and his eyes were red and they grew heavy as he attempted to carry on a conversation with David.
I figured I better try my luck at getting him home. For a moment I considered leaving him here to sleep it off, but I knew he preferred his own bed. I stood and turned to let Tyler know we were leaving.
“Thank you
“We’d better head back out there before they get suspicious.” I croaked. He cursed and pushed away from the door, letting me walk out first. He waited a full minute before following me. Tyler caught my eye, and my slightly disheveled appearance, as I took my seat. I smiled politely and gave my head a barely noticeable shake, silently pleading with him to let it go. Jesse dropped into his chair and glared at me one last time before turning away.
I twisted in my seat to resume my chat with Cassie. “Sorry about that. I was just saying that I have been working with Jesse for a little over two months,” I forced a smile and hoped that she wouldn’t pick up on my internal struggle.
“How exciting. I just love their music,” she gushed, continuing as if I hadn’t just disappeared for nearly fifteen minutes. “I still can’t believe that I am here with all of you. Sam is so sweet.”
“Yeah, Sam is great. You got lucky with that one.” I smiled and nudged her on the arm. Jesse remained silent and continued to scowl.
“Hey Jesse, what gives. You’ve been quiet all night. Why is your hair all messed up? Where did you and Rhyann slip off to?” Sam teased.
“Shut the fuck up Sam.” Jesse snapped. The whiskey had definitely kicked in, and I had an uneasy feeling that we would be continuing our conversation once we were alone.
“Rhyann?" Sam jerked his chin toward Jesse. "What’s up with this asshat, is he pissed at you or something? You know he’s got a thing for you don’t you?”
“Shut up, asshole!” Jesse growled, jumping up and knocking over his chair. He staggered slightly before steadying himself with the table.
Sam stood as well, and they glared at one another across the table with their fists clenched. I had seen them banter back and forth playfully, but this felt different. I looked nervously between them and prayed someone would put an end to it before things got out of hand. Of the two of them Sam had more bulk, and could probably do some harm, but I was sure Jesse was up for the challenge, drunk or not. Thankfully, Tyler broke the tension before any blood was spilled.
“Guys, both of you sit your ass down, now. This is my lovely wife’s birthday party, and I don’t want your dick swinging contest fucking it up.”
“Ha! Some contest. His doesn’t even come close,” chided Sam. Jesse stood and took several deep breaths, trying to calm down. Finally, he drew in one last breath and blew it out loudly.
“Dream on loser. You know I’ve got two inches on you easy,” Jesse swayed. Everyone at the table laughed and both guys sat back down. “Sorry about that Stefani. I’ll behave.”
“Yeah, sorry Stefani. Didn’t mean to ruin your party.” Sam made his best pouty face.
“It’s okay boys. Just promise me you’ll get along,” Stefani said in a motherly voice, looking at both of them.
“Yes Mom.” They replied, in unison.
“And, if memory serves, didn’t you two have this argument back in high school and it ended with a couple of dirty magazines and a ruler?” She chuckled, then leaned toward me and whispered behind her hand. “Jesse won.” She demonstrated by measuring with her hands and laughing. I found it hard to suppress the giggles when I knew Jesse was watching my every move.
We finished our dinner, and sang happy birthday when Tyler brought out a cake complete with twenty-eight candles. Jesse continued pouring from his nearly empty bottle, and his eyes were red and they grew heavy as he attempted to carry on a conversation with David.
I figured I better try my luck at getting him home. For a moment I considered leaving him here to sleep it off, but I knew he preferred his own bed. I stood and turned to let Tyler know we were leaving.
“Thank you
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