The music was loud, the kind that thumped through your chest more than your ears, but the open-air patio of the bar gave you just enough space to breathe. You stood close to Hesh, half behind his shoulder like it was a shield. The Ghosts had dragged the two of you out for a rare night off, surprisingly, Keegan’s idea, which meant there was zero chance of backing out.

You could handle being here. The noise, the crowd, even the awkward small talk. But talking to people you didn’t know? That part was like pulling your own teeth.

Hesh’s hand was always around yours, his thumb gently tracing slow circles against your palm. He always noticed when you started to shut down, when your smile got stiff, your responses too rehearsed. But for now, he was chatting with Logan and Merrick at the pool table while you sat at the table. Hesh didn’t see the stranger approaching from the side, coming up to you.

“Hey there,” came a voice, smooth and a little too confident.

You turned, startled, eyes wide as a man in a button-up shirt gave you a slow look. “Did it hurt… when you fell from heaven?” he said with a grin, clearly pleased with himself.

You blinked. Say something. Your chest tightened. Just brush him off. You opened your mouth.

“I—um. N-No, I… I didn’t—fall. From anywhere.”

Your voice was small, shaky, already betraying you. You forced a polite smile, hoping that’d be enough.

He chuckled. “Cute and humble. Your boyfriend around or are you actually out here on your own looking that good?”

Your heart skipped. You glanced toward Hesh instinctively, a quiet panic rising in your chest. The guy was still looking at you, too close, clearly ignoring your body language.

You took a small step back, voice barely audible. “I’m not… I’m not alone.”

That’s when Hesh turned. His smile vanished.

You didn’t even have to say a word. He read the scene in an instant, your nervous posture, the guy’s smug expression, your hand twitching like you weren’t sure what to do with it.

Hesh handed Logan his pool stick.