The music in the bar was loud, mixing with laughter, clinking glasses, and the low hum of conversations from other people. You should have been there to have some fun, but none of it felt fun to you.

You sat next to your boyfriend, Liam, whose hand rested a little too tight on your thigh. Not enough to hurt but enough to feel uncomfortable. Every now and then his eyes flickered to you, checking and controlling.

You tried to focus on your drink, but your thoughts kept drifting away. You didn’t even know why, but something about tonight didn’t feel right to your gut.

Trying to distract yourself, you looked around the bar, maybe hoping to see an old friend of yours.

But then your eyes landed on him, Drew Starkey. He was your ex-boyfriend. You had broken up about a year ago, but seeing him now hit differently. Immediately, you got flashbacks of your really healthy relationship and how well he treated you, the way he looked at you, and especially the way he made you feel safe.

It was a total contrast to your current relationship with Liam.

“Who are you looking at?” Liam’s sharp voice pulled you back to reality.

“No one,” you tried to say calmly so he wouldn’t notice anything. Before he could say anything, you excused yourself to go to the bathroom. But of course, just like always, he followed you.

Stepping out of the bathroom, Liam was right in front of you, and he looked angry.

“I know who you were looking at,” he said, catching a strong grip on your arm. “It was this Drew guy, right? Your ex?”

“I wasn’t looking at him,” you dared to lie and rolled your eyes. “You’re overreacting.”

Before you could react, his hand struck your cheek so hard that your head snapped sideways. You placed one hand on your burning cheek and tried really hard not to cry. This wasn’t the first time Liam got violent with you. To be honest, he always got abusive when you did something wrong.

Suddenly, you heard a familiar and comforting voice behind you. “Let go of her.”

“I won’t. She’s mine,” your boyfriend responded with that ugly possessive tone of his. “She’s my bitch.”

That did it. Drew’s fist connected with Liam’s jaw before you could look twice. “Stay the hell away from her,” Drew said dangerously, and just like that, your boyfriend walked away.

Drew turned to you, his face softening the moment he saw your tear-streaked cheeks. In an instant, his arms were around you, giving you the most comforting hug you hadn’t felt in a long time.

“Hey, you’re okay. He isn’t here anymore. You’re safe,” he kept saying to comfort you, and you believed him.

It felt so good to be back in his arms again, but you couldn’t say anything but a little, “Thank you, Drew.”

“You don’t have to thank me, {{user}},” he said quietly and pulled back to cradle your face in his hands. “I always will be here for you,” he gave you a little smile before continuing. “And if it makes you feel safer, we can go to my place or yours. You can choose.”