Breaking the Night
851 Words
Viktor teased, a smirk tugging at his lips. “Your soon-to-be wifey still hanging around?”
Ethan rolled his eyes. “Oh, please.”
Viktor chuckled. “Anyway, I just popped in to say hi. Since you didn’t feel the need to reach out.”
Ethan rubbed the back of his neck. “Honestly, I’ve been swamped lately. No time for much else.”
Viktor grinned. “Tell you what, there’s this new bar opening tonight. How about we go? Just to chill and loosen up.”
Ethan shook his head with a tired smile. “I don’t know if I have the time.”
Viktor waved him off. “Come on, man. You’ve been cooped up in this office all week. A couple of hours won’t kill you.”
Ethan glanced out at the city lights, then back at Viktor. The offer was tempting, maybe a break was exactly what he needed.
“Alright,” he said finally.
Viktor clapped him on the shoulder. “That’s the spirit. I’ll pick you up at nine.”
Ethan nodded, already feeling a faint flicker of relief at the thought of stepping away from the pressure even if just for a night.
****
The trio laughed and clinked their glasses, the buzz of music and chatter wrapping around them. Ava was already dragging Lexi into a story about her latest dating disaster, while Zoe sipped her drink thoughtfully, occasionally smiling at their banter.
For a moment, all the pressure Lexi had been feeling melted away, replaced by the comfort of friendship and the pulse of the night.
Suddenly, Ava’s voice cut through the loud music as she shouted, “Let’s dance!”
Before Lexi or Zoe could respond, Ava grabbed their hands, pulling them onto the dance floor. The three of them soon found themselves moving to the rhythm, the world outside the club fading beneath the thumping beat and flashing lights.
As the music pulsed through the room, Lexi let herself get lost in the rhythm, laughter bubbling up with every beat. She spun toward Ava, caught up in the moment, then suddenly collided with someone.
“Whoa, sorry!” Lexi stumbled back, eyes meeting a familiar, unwelcome face.
It was her ex, Jared.
His smirk was just as sharp as she remembered, and the surprise in his eyes quickly turned to smug satisfaction.
“Well, well, Lexi Sinclair,” he drawled, stepping closer. “Fancy seeing you here.”
Jared’s smirk deepened as he closed the distance, his eyes darkening with a dangerous edge. “You think you can just forget about me and move on?” he hissed, roughly grabbing Lexi’s arm.
“Let go!” Lexi snapped, trying to pull away, but his grip only tightened. His words grew sharper, laced with venom. “You’re nothing without me. Always were.”
Ava stepped forward, voice firm and loud over the music. “Hey! Back off, Jared.”
Zoe quickly joined, placing a hand on Jared’s shoulder. “Leave her alone.”
But Jared barely flinched. Three women standing up to him seemed only to fuel his arrogance.
“What if i choose not to.” he snarled, shoving past Zoe, forcing them all closer together in the crowded bar.
The tight space worked against them, there was nowhere to escape, no easy way to break free from his grip.
Lexi’s heart pounded as she struggled to free herself from his grip, while Ava and Zoe moved to shield her as best they could.
The tension in the air thickened, the joyous energy of the night twisted into something sharp and threatening.
Jared sneered, his voice low and venomous as he pressed even closer to Lexi. “What are you doing in a place like this anyway? I guess I forgot you’re still the same little w***e looking for attention.”
He yanked her closer, his breath hot against her cheek, trying to force a kiss. “Think you’re better than me? Huh?.”
Ava lunged forward, fists swinging as she aimed sharp punches at Jared’s chest. “Get your hands off her, you bastard!”
Zoe slammed her palm into his shoulder, pushing him hard. “Back off! Leave her alone!”
But Jared barely reacted, shrugging off their hits like flies buzzing around him. The cramped bar left little room to maneuver, and his grip only tightened on Lexi’s arm.
Lexi’s pulse thundered in her ears. Panic threatened to rise, but she forced herself to stay steady, eyes darting for help or escape.
Then, a sharp voice cut through the chaos.
“Let go of her. Now.”
Ethan stepped forward from the crowd, his presence instantly commanding the room. His gaze locked on Jared, cold and unwavering.
Jared scowled, clearly annoyed at being interrupted, but the intensity in Ethan’s eyes made him hesitate. Reluctantly, he released Lexi and stepped back, shooting her a dark warning glance.
“This isn’t over,” he spat before pushing through the crowd and disappearing into the night.
Lexi stumbled back, breathing hard, while Ava and Zoe closed ranks around her protectively.
- Writer
