You drum your fingers against the kitchen counter, waiting for Eddie to pick up the phone.

The phone rings once.

Twice...

"Hey, [Name]."

You smile when hearing his voice, "Hello Eddie. So listen, my company is doing this celebration party at a bar to start off the new year. And they're allowing us to bring a plus one..."

"I'm listening..."

"And I was wondering if you wanted to join me." You huff a little, scolding yourself for being a little cringy. "Also drinks will be on the house."

"Uh, getting to spend time with my girlfriend, and being allowed free drinks? Yeah, I'm coming."

You laugh a little, moving down the counter to open up your takeout bag. "Good."

"When's is it taking place?"

"This Friday." You answer, taking out the white styrofoam container. "At eight. Will you be able to make it?"

"I am free Friday, so yes."

"Awesome." You smile, digging into your Chinese food. You hum, swaying your hips a little at the wonderful food.

"What are you eating?"

"Chinese," you answer, hearing Eddie groan through the phone. "It's wonderful."

"Now I want Chinese food." Eddie mumbles.

There's shuffling on the other end of the line, so you know he must be searching for the little takeout pamphlet. "Anyway, that's all I needed to say."

"Want me to pick you up?"

"That would be great." You turn to open the fridge, looking at the contents. "It's that bar downtown; Miller's Bar."

"Oh, okay. I know where that is. Thanks for inviting me."

"Of course," you say, twisting open your water bottle. After taking a sip, you say, "All right, I'll let you go. Don't wanna hold you off from eating."

"And I will leave you and your Chinese food." Eddie teases.

"Good night, Eddie," you smile, tone soft and fond.

"Good night, [Name]."

You smile when you put your phone in your back pocket.

When you feel something brush against your legs, you look down to see your black cat, Sooty. He purrs, twining between your feet - making the figure eight.

"I know, I know. I got you your shrimp." You close your container and grab the smaller one from the bag - that's filled with shrimp - and place it onto of your container. Grabbing your water, you say to Sooty, "Come on, Soot. Let's go watch our shows and stuff our faces."

He dashes over to the living room and up on the couch, seeming to agree with your plans for the night.

~~~~~

After calming down from a fit of poorly concealed laughter, Eddie shakes his head as he brings his bottle of beer up to his lips. "How's Sooty?"

"He's fine," you sigh with a smile. "Still a little demon and a saint, all a once."

Eddie smiles, "He sounds like an angel."

You laugh, rolling your eyes. "That's because he is when he's with you."

Eddie's smile widens, "That's because I bring out the best in people."

You scoff, squinting your eyes at him playfully. "Sure you do."

"Hey, I do." He places his hand to his chest. "I say I'm an angel, myself."

You quirk an amuse brow, "Really?"

"Really, really."

You shake your head with a chuckle, taking a sip of your soda.

Janna and Rich - two of your co-workers from work - come up to you and Eddie, suggesting a game of pool.

They're both tispy, smiles lopsided and bodies swaying, so you politley decline the offer as Eddie shrugs and accepts.

When your two co-workers head to the pool table, Eddie gets up with a smile.

"They're drunk, Eddie."

"I know," he acknowledges. "That's why when we bet, I'll be winning a few extra bucks." He gives you a wink.

You can't help but sigh, taking a sip of your drink. "You're terrible."

Eddie laughs when he makes his way to the pool table.

You stay on the stool at the bar, watching Eddie and your co-workers placing a bet.

Eddie never loses a game at pool, so when people bet money, Eddie is always up to play.

You don't mind Eddie playing, per se, but there were times where you wished it was just the both of you.

And inviting Eddie to a bar, he was bound to play and make a little extra cash. And you didn't mind since the people were too drunk to notice, but it was their fault for thinking they could win when they can hardly stand on their own two feet.

Everything is fine; there was good music playing, people were having fun and some were stumbling on their feet, and Eddie was winning.

You do a double take when a girl stands beside Eddie, talking to him while watching the game.

You frown when she sways on her feet a little, her smile a little lopsided when she gets close to Eddie.

She's drunk, but you wanna grab her and remove her away from him.

And maybe claw at her face.

You shake your head, removing the violent thoughts from your mind. You get off the stool and head for the restrooms.

You find that the restroom empty, to which you're grateful for.

You go to the sink, washing your hands to calm your thoughts.

Being a professional writer, you thought that you would have possibly made friends through work, but of course it didn't work out.

Most people had their own cliques; so they would always stick together. You started working for this company for four months and all you made were acquaintances.

All you wanted to do now was go back home, and cuddle with Eddie and Sooty. You wanted to watch tv and eat a bowl of ice cream.

You were done with everything.

You knew Eddie wouldn't ever do anything against your back. He wasn't a cheater, he hated cheaters.

Back in high shool, Eddie was cheated on, so he wasn't so fond of them.

And he was disgusted by them, because why cheat on someone who you "wanted to be with"?

Eddie never understood it, nor did he want to. So you trusted Eddie, you just didn't trust the girl.

~~~~~

"You're so strong." Sandy touches Eddie's bicep, batting her eyelashes.

Eddie hands over the cue stick to another player, stepping away from Sandy. "I have a girlfriend."

"I don't see her around." Sandy says, eyes gleaming.

Eddie looks over at the bar, noticing your absence. "Excuse me." He passes Sandy, eyes scanning the entire bar.

Eddie gnaws on his bottom lip, thinking for a moment before heading for the restrooms.

"Sir, please."

"How about I show you a good time?"

Eddie sees a big bear of a man cornering you against the women's restroom.

~~~~~

Normally you would be able to handle yourself when it came to flimsy men trying to hit on you. That was before meeting Eddie, and when you and Eddie got together, Eddie would fend them off.

But this man is built like a bear, and him cornering you was making your anxiety go haywire.

His breath smelled like acid beer and onion rings. He was clearly drunk out of his mind, and it was scaring the crap out of you.

"Sir, please." You tone is almost pleading. You just wanted to get Eddie and get the heck out of here.

"How about I show you a good time?" The man steps closer, making you shrink back against the door.

Suddenly the man is yanked away from you. He's turned around and is punched in the face.

The man falls against the dirty floor, knocked unconscious.

Eddie leers over him for a moment before stepping on the man to gather you in his arms. "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine. I just wanna go home." You tell him.

Eddie nods, holding your hand tight and leading you around the man to exit out the bar.

~~~~~

You sigh in content, snuggling more into Eddie's side.

Sooty rumbles like an engine, purring and rubbing his head against Eddie's thigh, tail flicking across your lap.

"I swear, I feel like I'm being cuddled to death by two cats." Eddie chuckles, turning his head to kiss the top of your head.

You hum, flicking through the channels. "You like cuddling."

"That I do." It's silent for several moments before he speaks again. "Are you okay?"

You hum, "I am. I did freak out a little, but now I'm fine." You twist a little to look up at him. "I promise."

"Okay," Eddie brushes back a loose lock of hair away from your face, leaning down to press his lips to yours.

When you nibble on his bottom lip a little, he pulls back with a small chuckle.

"You are an angel." You say, turning back to watch tv.

Eddie hums, landing a kiss on your head. "I told you so."