This was a bad idea. You’d known it was when you’d agreed to it, and you cursed yourself for ignoring the voice in your head. You never should have let your ex tag along on your night out. Nothing good could come out of it.

He’d always had a way of tugging on your heartstrings though. The years the two of you had spent together meant something to you, even if things hadn’t worked out. So when he’d called tonight, your backbone made of glass broke, and you’d told him to meet you at the bar.

And now here you were, he was staring at you like he hated you. Like he wanted to hurt you.

“It’s true, isn’t it?” He spat out, his voice cold and filled with resentment. “You and Rafe? How long have you been hooking up behind my back?”

“None of your business! I didn’t cheat on you” you didn’t even know what you and Rafe were, but you knew it wasn’t cheap or tawdry like your ex was implying.

“I’m glad I dumped you! Why I bothered with you is beyond me. You’re nothing. Trash”

“That’s enough!” Your friend Sarah snaps at him, shielding you from him. “What can I do?” She asks you, noticing how you’re shaking in her arms.

“Rafe” you whisper softly, trying to bite back the tears. Your lower lip trembles “Call Rafe. I need him”

Sarah looks at you in shock. She knew you and Rafe had been spending time together, but she couldn’t quite believe you wanted Rafe in your time of need. That he could be a source of comfort. But she doesn’t argue, taking out her phone and calling him.

“He’s coming” She rubs your back in soothing circles as you cry. You’re inconsolable, barely aware of what’s going on in the bar. You just keep replaying your ex’s insults over and over.

“Where the hell is she?” Rafe muscles his way through the crowd, fists clenched, his face awash with fury.

In a few long strides, he’s by your side. You feel his strong arms pull you into his embrace.

“Shhh, baby. I’m here.” The desolate look in your big green eyes breaks his heart. He wants to murder your ex. He would end him if it would stop your tears.