Beneath the Leather

Chapter 8: Unsettled

The music in Lucky’s thumped so loudly that Jazmine felt it vibrating in her chest. Every bass beat seemed to echo the anxiety twisting inside her. People laughed, clinked glasses, and danced, but Jazmine didn’t notice any of it. All she could see was Devon across the bar, leaning close to his best friend. They laughed together in a way that made her stomach drop. Every tilt of his head, every subtle gesture, every shared smile felt like a betrayal—even though she knew they were just friends.

“Tasha…” she whispered, her voice trembling. She grabbed her friend’s arm and pulled her toward the narrow hallway that led to the bathroom. Her heart was pounding so hard it felt like it would burst. “I need… I need to get away from everyone. From… from him.”

The hallway was dim, quiet compared to the chaos in the bar. The fluorescent lights flickered faintly, casting shadows that seemed to mimic the knots in her chest. Once inside the bathroom, Jazmine pressed her back against the cold tile wall, sliding down until she was sitting on the floor. She buried her face in her hands, trying to steady the whirlwind of emotions swirling inside her.

“I can’t stop looking at him,” she admitted, her voice raw, almost breaking. “He’s… he’s there, Tasha… with her.” She glanced up, eyes wet, searching for someone to tell her she wasn’t losing her mind. “His best friend. Laughing, leaning close… smiling like she’s the only person in the room. And I… I just don’t know what to think.”

Tasha leaned against the sink, her brow furrowed with concern. “Jaz, calm down. It’s his best friend. You know that. They’re close, okay? They’ve always joked, they’ve always leaned on each other. It doesn’t mean anything—at least not the way you’re thinking.”

Jazmine shook her head, wiping at the tears threatening to spill over. “But it feels like it does! Every laugh, every brush of her hand against his arm… I can’t ignore it. I keep thinking maybe I’ve changed too much. Maybe I’m… not what he wants anymore. Maybe he’s done with me.”

Tasha sighed and stepped closer, placing her hand gently on Jazmine’s shoulder. “Jaz, stop. Don’t go there. Don’t blame yourself. You’re amazing. He’s acting distant, yes, but that doesn’t mean he’s done with you. And laughing with a friend? That doesn’t equal cheating.”

Jazmine’s hands trembled as she pulled at the hem of her shirt. “I feel it, Tasha. I can’t explain it, but I feel it in my gut. Something is wrong. And the worst part is… I don’t even know if it’s me. Maybe it’s because I’ve gained weight… maybe I’m not sexy to him anymore… maybe I don’t even matter the way I used to.” Her voice cracked, and a shiver ran through her.

Tasha shook her head vigorously, trying to get through to her friend. “No. Jaz, don’t. Stop blaming yourself. You are beautiful. You are his girlfriend. You’re not the problem here. Trust me, you’re overthinking this.”

Jazmine’s tears spilled freely now. “But Tasha… he’s been acting so distant all week. Avoiding me, giving me short answers, going off somewhere without telling me… and last night—” Her voice caught in her throat. “Last night he pushed me. Shoved me. And now, seeing him… like that with her. I feel like I’m losing him, and I don’t even know why!”

Tasha reached for her, holding her shoulders firmly. “Okay, okay. Slow down. I get it. I really do. You’re scared. But freaking out here isn’t going to help. You can’t jump to conclusions over a laugh or a gesture. Breathe, Jaz. Just breathe.”

Jazmine pressed her forehead to her knees, rocking slightly. Her chest heaved with sobs she tried to stifle. “I can’t. I can’t stop thinking about it. And I hate feeling like this. I hate feeling helpless. I hate feeling like… like I’m not enough for him anymore.”

Tasha softened, her voice gentle, coaxing. “Jaz, you are enough. You’re amazing. He’s… he’s confused or stressed, maybe, okay? There’s a reason he’s acting distant. You don’t know what it is yet. Don’t assume the worst until you have proof.”

Jazmine shook her head again, tears streaking down her face. “I know something’s wrong. My gut never lies, Tasha. I feel it in my bones. Something is happening, and I don’t know how to fix it. I just… I don’t know what to do.”

Tasha took a deep breath. “Okay. Then don’t try to fix it tonight. Just… survive the night. Stay calm. Don’t let it consume you. I’ll stay with you. We’ll get through this together. Promise me you’ll try to breathe.”

Jazmine nodded slowly, wiping at her face, though the tightness in her chest didn’t ease. She stared at herself in the mirror, seeing the tear-streaked cheeks, the wild eyes, the messy hair. She barely recognized herself anymore. She felt vulnerable, scared, and completely exposed—but she also felt a spark of determination.

Something’s off. I can feel it. And I’m not going to ignore it anymore.

When they finally left the bathroom, Jazmine tried to focus on the bar, the crowd, and Tasha’s chatter, but her mind kept drifting back to Devon and his best friend, laughing together. Every small gesture, every tilt of his head, every laugh they shared, stayed burned into her thoughts.

She felt exposed and alone in the crowded bar, and the gnawing certainty inside her refused to fade. She couldn’t ignore it—something was wrong. And she was going to find out what it was.