Page 74 of Bluebird

Luke closed in on Jake until he loomed over him.

“You’re going to leave my bar right now, or you’ll end up with another broken nose,” he threatened, without needing to raise his voice.

Jake appeared to falter, but pride got the better of him. “You’re just pissed because I fucked your girl first.”

Luke barely took a breath before swinging his fist straight into Jake’s nose. “Natalie wouldn’t fucking touch you.”

Jake’s face brightened as he grasped his bleeding nose. “I wasn’t talking about Natalie,” he cackled.

Luke paled, and his gaze drifted from me to Marni. His shoulders dropped when he met her glistening eyes. “Marni…”

Her jaw tightened and a flush crept up her face. As she glanced around the room, her lower lip began to tremble and she ran out the back.

“Fuck,” Luke muttered and gave chase.

* * *

As the crowd dispersed, I escaped out the front door, gasping for air. I leant back against the brick facade, waiting for my heartbeat to slow, before attempting to move on.

I made my way into the car park behind the pub, and froze.

Luke stood motionless, watching a car speed away into the distance. Before I had a chance to retreat, Luke turned and our eyes collided. I tried to manoeuvre around him, but his voice pulled me back.

“Are you alright?” he asked with a pained expression.

“I can look after myself, Luke,” I muttered, scanning the car park for Nate and Amanda.

“Really?” His brows lifted. “Because it sure as hell doesn’t look like it.”

“What would you know?” I scowled, wiping perspiration from my face.

His eyes pierced mine as he sauntered closer. “I know you, Nat, and I know something is wrong.”

I threw my arms in the air. “And why do you care?”

His brows drew closer together and he swallowed. “Because I…I’ve always cared about you.”

I blinked back tears as my chest burned. “So why are you with her?”

His mouth parted, but he didn’t speak.

I lowered my gaze as a tear fell and I quickly wiped it away.

“Blue…” Luke breathed with a voice full of regret, and reached for my arm.

“Don’t touch me!” I slapped his hand away. “Don’t you think you’ve done enough?”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” he demanded. “You’re the one who left me.”

I shook my head. “I left town Luke…I never left you.”

My penetrating gaze faltered as Amanda and Nate appeared, walking towards us.

Luke and I shared one last heart-breaking glance, before I acknowledged them.

“There you are,” I exhaled, stepping back.

Amanda looked at me quizzically, then glared at Luke. “What did you say to her?”