Sitting at the table, I took a shot of rum. Abby sat beside me, and we were so close that you couldn't even fit a pencil between us. I don't understand this girl. I know she probably loves him, but is it the adrenaline rush she gets from fighting with him?
I put my arm around her, partly because I wanted to protect her and partly because I wanted everyone in the bar to see that I was making her my priority.
"Sorry," I said as I noticed her frown taking over her beautiful face.
"No, I am sorry," she told me.
"Why?" I asked, gently moving the burgundy strand of hair that had fallen across her face.
"I put you in that situation," she replied, her eyes filling with tears.
"I don't care about being in that situation. I've already told you that I want to protect you. I just wish things had gone my way so that there would have been nothing left of Nick, no legs to walk on, no eyes to see."
She laughed, and I smiled.
I glanced over and saw Annette dancing with another guy, my face reflecting my shock. I had a feeling Elias would be furious. The way that guy touched her. Oh boy!
I felt Abby lay her head on my shoulder, pulling my attention back to her.
"You're pretty protective of Annette," she observed.
I nodded. "I made her dad a promise."
Looking up, I noticed that Elias had taken care of the situation. The guy walked away from Annette, and she walked away from Elias. Drama, drama, drama.
"Are you sure that's all it is?"
I chuckled. "Now you're questioning me about my relationships?"
"I guess I am." I felt her hand resting on my chest.
"Why don't you just let go of Nick?"
"I guess I love him," she said, sadness lacing her voice.
"That's not love, Abby. You deserve someone who won't hurt you, someone who will always protect you and love you."
"Do you know anyone?" Her eyes met mine, and my heart skipped several beats.
I leaned in and kissed her, my lips on hers, letting my tongue slip between her teeth. The sweetness of her mouth overwhelmed me, and I had to remind myself to calm down.
Once back in the rainforest, I sensed the tension between Annette and Elias. I just wanted to keep my nose out of it.
Suddenly, Abby's phone rang. I didn't want to seem controlling, but I really hoped she wouldn't answer his calls.
"Hello?" she said.
"Why would you even answer that?" I grabbed her phone from her hand and hung up on Nick. I didn't need to see it to know it was him calling; I could hear him screaming.
"Why would you do that?" she asked, standing up and giving me a sassy look with her hands on her hips.
"I'm not going to keep defending you over him. I have enough problems right now, so while you're here, you're done with him."
She took a deep breath. "I know you don't understand this, but I need him."
"You're right; I have no clue how you can need someone who beats you."
I saw tears welling up in her eyes, tugging at my heartstrings.
"Because you don't know what it's like to have abandonment issues, Able."
I watched as she walked away. I would deal with that later.
"Annette, will you just listen to me?" I heard the frustration in Elias' voice, which made me chuckle internally.
She rolled her eyes at him.
I noticed Finn walking back to the camp, barely able to walk in a straight line. Most people in the club had bought him shots the whole time he was playing in the band, and he always came back completely drunk.
"Dude," I glared at him as we faced each other.
"I only had a few shots." Given how bloodshot his eyes were, I knew we needed to work on his definition of "a few."
I also caught the smell of smoke, which aggravated me. I knew it was just cigar smoke, but still.
"Okay, I overdid it a little bit. I'm going to go lie down."
Why is every member of my streak such a mess?