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The whole bar is silent, the air still as every patron waits to see what happens next. It’s like watching a car crash in slow motion. You can’t look away. You want to see what happens next; you just don't want to get sprayed with blood.

I feel Austin step behind me, his warm hand squeezing my hip. I regulate my breathing. He feels so calm behind me. But this is normal for him, isn’t it? He sees things like this all the time. Hedoesthings like this all the time.

“I’m sorry,” Aaron whispers, spitting out some blood onto the floor.

“Louder,” Josh says, calmer now.

“I’m.Sorry.”

“Better. Clean yourself up. You’re a fucking mess,” he says, pushing him away.

Nicole steps back and picks up her bag.

“Time for ice cream?” she chirps as if we haven’t just watched Josh punch a guy in the face on her behalf.

“I could use some ice,” Josh mutters.

Austin, leaning over the bar, grabs a glass of ice chips and a paper towel.

“Five stars. Would highly recommend it.” He winks at the bar staff before dropping a hefty wad of cash in the tip jar.

“Come back anytime." The brunette laughs, grabbing the tip jar and putting it out of reach of customers. Something tells me bar fights aren’t uncommon here.

I give Austin’s hand a squeeze before darting off in front to chat with Nicole.

“Okay, what the hell?”

“What?”

“Don’twhatme, young lady!” I giggle.

She laughs, looping her arm with mine, and we fall in step together. The boys are quiet behind, so I keep my voice low.

“You don’t have boys defend your honor where y’all are from?” Her Texan drawl is really standing out now. It’s thick and smooth; I like the way her words blend into each other.

“Well, some do, I suppose. I’ve never really seen a bar fight before. Actually...truthfully, I’ve only ever been in a bar once.”

“Girl, you’ve gotta get out more. Your man must take you out, no?”

“We’re kind of new.”

She nods, grinning. “Yeah, you can tell. He’s got that look about him. Like he’d take a swing at anyone that would dare look at you.”

“Umm, I think you’re talking about Josh with you right now.”

She swishes her hand in front of me, dispelling my words. “That’s never gonna happen. He’s made itveryclear.”

“But you want it, right? I mean, hell, I feel like I’m emotionally invested after watching that.”

She laughs again, dropping a quick glance over her shoulder. “Like I said, not gonna happen.”

I drop the subject, even though I’m dying to know who made that decision. If I had money to bet, I’d guess Nicole wasn’t involved in the decision-making process.

After ice cream, we say our goodbyes with the promise of an actual business meeting next week. Austin draws my hand in his, kissing my knuckles.

“You looked like you enjoyed yourself until the pool table, at least.”

I bite my lip, wondering how to explain without upsetting him. “I was worried you would be annoyed we were playing pool with those guys.”