As I leave the gym, I can't help but feel bad for how I reacted to learning Tyler is an MMA fighter. It's just that every instinct I have tells me fighting is never okay. And even though he's been nothing but a good guy, it rubbed me the wrong way.

Still, he didn't deserve the judging eyes I threw his way. Now, the least I can do is apologize when I come back to the gym on Wednesday for my first class.

It's not his fault I have all these violence issues, after all.

Driving to the bar, I allow myself to wonder what my life would've been like if my mother hadn't died so soon. I know it's a train of thought that always puts me in a depressive mood, but one I can't seem to escape when the messed-up relationship I had with my father comes ruining my everyday life.

I wish I could be wired a little differently, but the truth is that I have way too many issues for a twenty-five-year-old.

Putting my game face on, I park my car and walk to Sugar Rush. I spot Colby and Bruce at a booth and make my way to them as I wave to the staff. Josh is tending the bar until 5 PM today and when he catches my eyes, I let out a smile. We've been working in perfect sync for the last couple of years, so I know he'll help us with hiring a new bartender soon.

"There she is." Colby raises his beer to acknowledge me.

Taking a seat by Bruce's side, I let out a chuckle. "Isn't it too soon to be drinking?"

"You know it's always five o'clock somewhere." Colby takes a sip of his beer. "Besides, I'm celebrating. Martina and I just signed the papers to our new place in Spain."

"I guess congratulations are in order." I squeeze his hand. "Though I have to admit Bruce and I are freaking out thinking what we'll do without you here."

"I'm not freaking out. I know you and I can handle things." Bruce says, making me pause. I love how he trusts me, but deep down, I know I can't hold a candle to Colby's expertise. He's been managing bars for the last fifteen years, and me... well, all I know is how to mix drinks.

"I'm just saying we'll miss you, Colby. You can expect a bunch of calls from me the moment you land in Spain," I say, ignoring the weight of Bruce's gaze on me.

"And I'm just a phone call away, Andie." Colby pats my hand. "But Bruce is right. You got this."

"Well..." Bruce opens a folder full of spreadsheets. "We should get this training started. We just have a couple of weeks until love boy here ties the knot."

*****

After meeting with Bruce and Colby, I had to run some errands before going back to my evening shift. We've placed an ad hoping to hire a new bartender before Colby has to travel. Now, all we can do is wait as they try to prepare me as much as they can to become the new manager.

To my surprise, all the staff was happy with my promotion, but it doesn't mean I'm not a ball of nerves.

The moment I step inside my place, the smell of meatball sauce greets me, and I know Marcus is here. My heart warms at how he's always expressing his love for me through cooking. 

However, when I make my way inside and see him frowning at my laptop, I know something is wrong.

"Hey..." I say, sitting on the couch by his side. "Is everything okay?"

"Yep. I made you that recipe you sent me the other day," he says, his eyes glued to the computer screen.

"Is that homework? I can help you. I'll just have a shower first and..."

"I don't need help. You're tired. Go to bed," he cuts me off, and now I know something is definitely up.

"Okay. What's wrong, Marcus?"

"Nothing. I just..." He bites his lower lip, his head shaking in frustration. "I'm looking for a job, but can't seem to find-"

"You're what?" I ask, taken aback. Our father has more than enough money to support him, and Marcus has been pretty serious about trying out for his school's basketball team.

"I'm fucking tired of asking dad for money. I'm getting a job and leaving that house at eighteen just like you did." He meets my eyes and the determination I see in his gaze makes me frown.

"Whoa! Let's backtrack for a second. What the hell is going on? Tryouts are next month or so, right? Why are you looking for a job?"

"Because our father is a son of a..." He closes his eyes, frustration and anger pouring off of him.

"What's going on, Marcus?" I press, and he flinches when I touch his shoulder.

"Nothing... I just want to get my own money and leave that place." He meets my eyes, and my heart breaks. He has the same determined look I had when I hit my breaking point with our father.

"Marcus, what happened?"

"I'm fine, Andie. I'm just fucking tired of his shit." He shakes his head. "Sorry," he whispers, but the last of my worries right now is the language he's using.

"Marcus, what happened?" I repeat, willing myself to stay calm.

"We got into a fight." He stands up and heads to the window.

Too many things cross my mind at the same time.

He is walking funny and touching his hand to his shoulder as he walks to the window. He got into a fight with our father? No! No! No! Guilty for leaving him alone with that man slams into my chest, making it hard to breathe.

"You what?" I whisper, my head spinning.

"I'm fine, Andie. I just need a plan to leave that house. I'm going to find a part-time job, so I don't have to be there after school."

"Did he hit you?" I stand up slowly, walking to him so I can examine the bruise I finally see around his ear.

"I'm fine, really. It's not like I can't defend myself." He looks at me, and the vulnerability I see in his eyes is enough to bring me a myriad of ugly emotions.

I've never thought hurting someone solves anything. Never. But right now, all I want is to make sure our father suffers in ways it's not easy for me to describe.

"Andie..." Marcus searches my eyes, and I know I can't allow this to go on.

"I'm packing your stuff tomorrow while he's at work. You're never going back to that place again. You hear me?" I feel my eyes well up with tears, but I refuse to cry.

"It's okay, really. He was drunk and.."

"Don't!" I shout, startling him a bit. "Don't make excuses for him." I adjust my tone, taking a deep breath so I don't misplace my anger.

"You've tried to be my legal guardian once, Andie." He sniffs, making my heart break at the hopelessness in his tone. "You know that it's not that simple. As far as everyone else is concerned, our father is a respectable citizen. He's got money, a good job, and the perfect fucking house..."

"I got a promotion." I blink my tears away. "Colby is leaving for Spain with his fiancé and Bruce thinks I'm the best fit to manage the bar with him."

"What? Really? Dude, that's dope. You're gonna kick ass as a manager." He pulls me into a hug, and I fight the urge to collapse in his arms. The notion of our father hitting him definitely broke something inside me.

When Bruce offered me this job, I would've never imagined how important it would be for me. But now, I'll be damned if I don't use this opportunity to work my ass off and get Marcus and I the best lawyer in the city.

"You're staying with me, okay?" I pull away, cupping his cheek. "And I'll find a way to make it permanent. I promise you."

"You're the best sister in the world." He takes a deep breath as if also trying to get his emotions under control.

Pulling him into another hug, I silently vow to do everything in my power so he doesn't have to go through the same abusive and fucked up relationship I had with our father.

There's no way I'm allowing him to mess up with Marcus's head as he did with mine.

_____

A/N: Thank you so much for reading! You guys are the best! <3

Please remember to vote!

XOXO

Celeste