Chapter Nineteen

"David, hey," Sue said surprised when she saw her boss's boyfriend walk in. Tatum and Isabella looked up too, the latter feeling nervous straight away when she saw the look in his eye. "Y'alright?" the waitress asked.

"Uh huh," David said, ignoring her as he focused on his girlfriend. "Babe, can we talk? Do you have a break coming up?" he asked her, trying to sound serious in love rather than seriously threatening.

"Oh eh, it's kinda busy right now," Isabella said hesitantly, knowing that whatever he wanted to discuss with her did not bode well for her.

"It's okay, we got it covered," her sister offered, thinking she was helping her out. Now that she knew why she'd been sick and how to combat some of the symptoms, Tatum felt like she could work around her pregnancy enough to hold the fort. And definitely long enough for her sister to take a quick break to talk to her boyfriend.

"Thanks Tatum," David smiled gratefully. He started leading the way outside, not needing to look over his shoulder to know that his girlfriend would follow. Even if she didn't want to, he knew she wouldn't want to make her sister or colleague suspicious of their relationship. He made his way out to the front of the bar and turned around to face her as she cautiously came up closer to him.

"Everything okay honey?" Isabella asked carefully.

"You tell me," he started ominously. "After all, you're the one who is shamelessly flirting with everyone who sets foot inside the bar? Is that why there haven't been any fights?" he came at her. The surprised and confused look on her face only made him angrier.

"I don't know what you're talkin' about. I'm not flirtin' with anyone," she knew she couldn't protest too much, as it would make him more dangerous. But it hurt her that he thought she would do what he was accusing her of.

"People have seen you in action. Why are you so set on embarrassing me?" David almost growled as he grabbed hold of her arm, satisfied to see her flinch away from him.

"I'm not. I promise, I won't," Isabella tried to keep her voice and facial expressions under control as he leaned in to intimidate her more. "David, please let go," she added when he squeezed her arm harder. The last time he'd done this and more, he'd broken her arm. "Ouch," she complained when he yanked her in closer.

"Keep your voice down," her boyfriend threatened. At the moment, he was still managing to make it look like he was holding her close for a hug. His free hand grabbed hold of her waist, his fingers digging in there as well.

"Okay I will, just let me go," she tried not to sob. All she could see was the angry look on his face. She hadn't realised they'd drawn attention to themselves. 

"Get the fuck away from her," Austin stepped between the brunette and her boyfriend, pushing the man away from her before he got up close and in his face. Isabella felt David's hand rip away from her arm and waist, his nails scratching her skin, and she knew from past experience she was going to have a bruise.

"Who the fuck are you?" David pushed him back, not being one to step away from a fight. Isabella watched in horror as the two men sized each other up, eyes threatening each other, and jaws clenched. They were both the same height, but it was obvious Austin had the upper hand being the more muscular one. The muscles in David's back tensed while Austin balled his fists, pumping up his biceps. Isabella cringed when the latter shoved her boyfriend again, telling him to back off if he wanted to keep all his teeth, and watched the brown-eyed man trip and fall backwards.

Austin turned to her without giving the other man a second glance, stepping closer to her and only just stopping himself from cupping her face in his hands. "Bella, are you alright?" he asked, making her heart stop when she heard the nickname only he had used for her all those summers ago. So, he did remember her. She looked into his blue eyes and for some reason her heart felt heavy and a lump formed in her throat. She felt like she was about to burst in tears, but then she realised it meant Austin had once again pretended not to know her and sadness made place for an old anger. She could see David scramble up out of the corner of her eyes and ignored Austin's imploring gaze as she stepped to her boyfriend and helped him up.

"Do you know this guy?" he asked her, his eyes throwing daggers at the blue-eyed man while he wrapped an arm around her shoulders. From the tone of his voice she knew this wouldn't be the last time she'd hear about this, once David was suspicious there wasn't much she could do to change his mind. She followed David's gaze and her face hardened when she noticed Austin look at her disapprovingly. He had no right to judge her, not after the way he'd treated her.

"He's nobody," she told the man with his arm around her. "Let's go," she added, turning around and walking away.