"I'm glad that y'all got together but I'm going to castrate you boys if she ever gets hurt while I'm gone", Sarah threatened Isaiah and I, as Dave checked them in. in case you're lost, we're currently at the airport and Sarah is giving I and Isaiah her final blessings or rather final threat note while Ash is laughing about a joke that Dave might have cracked.

"Wait, you guys were fighting? And why am I involved again?" Isaiah asked. "I don't know, cause he's your best friend and you're the sensible one", she added and that caused Isaiah to do his happy dance. It went horribly because he bumped into Ashley who in turn looked ready to beat his ass. As the lady on the speakers began to announce for passengers to board the plane, I pull Sarah in for a hug.

"Damn, I'm gonna miss your ass"

"Don't worry you'll be having more of Ashley's while I'm gone". She wiggles her eyebrows and I laugh. "But for real though, it's sad that we didn't get to spend that much time together", I tell her and her eyes soften. "Speaking of spending time together, you should probably tell mom that you're here". I sort of expected this conversation to happen and like I had planned in my head, I shake my head to say no.

"I still don't know why you keep avoiding her. It's been too long. She misses you Zack", she says tugging on my shirt.

It would be nice to hear those words directly from her.

Except for the fact that I'm not ready to hear even a word from her.

"I miss her too. But I don't know if I can. I can't stand that man being in the same room with us", I curl my fingers in, to form a fist and Sarah holds my hand trying to uncurl them.

"You can find a way to get her to come alone. I can help. But you have to at least try. For me". Before I could fall for her puppy dog eyes, Dave walks up to us and hugs her from behind. "Alright babe, it's time to go".

Well thank goodness.

Giving Dave the last hug, I watch them walk away hand in hand. Great.

Now where's my girlfriend? I need me a hand to hold too.

I turn around to see that Ashley and Saiah have disappeared to only God knows where. I dip my hands into my pocket to get my phone to call them, but suddenly remembered that I gave it to Ashley when she asked to take some pictures. So, now I have no way of calling either of them. Might as well just go chill in the car. I stay there for about 20 minutes and then begin to contemplate going back to my previous spot.

Where the hell were they?

Ten more minutes past when I heard a knock on my window and frowned when I say Isaiah's goofy grin staring right back at me. I pressed the automatic unlock button for the car doors to open and they both got in. "What the hell guys, you were gone for 30 minutes". I began. I was very tired and hungry and verryy sleepy.

"Relax bro, you were the one gone for 30 minutes. We only went to get ice-cream and when we got back, poof you were gone", he raises up his hand dramatically when he says 'poof'. "Okay, so where's mine?" I question and he points at Ashley who bows down her head.

"Ash?"

"It's not my fault. You were gone for so long and it was melting", she rambles.

"So?" I push, waiting for her to confess.

"So, I took it! Okay?! It was calling my name and I couldn't resist it so I took it. But I got you pizza instead", even in my current angry situation, I smiled at her because she actually had a bright smile on her face. Just because of pizza.

Well I guess that's what gets this girl crazy

Can I be your pizza?

"Anytime babe", Isaiah says from the backseat and Ashley laughs out loud. "Why the hell do I keep thinking out loud", I grumble to myself.

"So what do you guys wanna do?" I ask, pulling out of the parking lot. "Cause I have to go to Sarah's office tomorrow and I want to spend time with y'all before getting into business", I love how I sound business-y right now.

"Can I come with you?" Ashley pleads.

Definitely. I mean she didn't even have to ask.

I clear my throat and answer, "Sure and Isaiah can come over if he's free tomorrow. You know, to watch me in action".

"Sure thing bro. You don't even need to ask me. Let's go trash Sarah's office!" he screams and throws his fist to the air. "She's gonna kill us if we do that right? So scratch that. Now what do we do for now before I head to the bar for my shift"

"Ohh, I know! Let's go play basketball!" Ashley squeals and we look at her like she's crazy. "Why do you wanna play b-ball, is it for show?" Isaiah asks.

"Well, I'm gonna prove to you guys that girls don't just play so you can watch our tities bounce"

"You did not just say tities", I laugh.

"Oh yes I did. Call Lucas and tell him to bring Zayne to the court. And Saiah you can get any girl to come over since we don't know your relationship status"

"I'm not so single sis. I whooped myself a girlfriend"

I laugh because I know he's joking. "Isaiah, we both know your pillow can't play basketball" he hits me on the shoulder and I pretend to almost lose control of my wheel. "I don't wanna die!!" they both scream at the top of their lungs and Ashley grips my shoulder shaking me while she screams.

I hit the break hard, causing us to jerk forward. "What the fuck guys! We could've died guys!" I scream and laugh at the same time. These guys were definitely crazy. It's a good we're now infront of the bar, so I can go take my shift and tell Lucas the good news. 

I stop the car and open the door. Still laughing, Ashley holds my hand to stop me. "Where are you going?"

"I'm going to the bar, I've got a shift right now. I'll tell Lucas to come over. So you guys get yourselves ready and I'll meet you at the court"

I toss the keys to Saiah who hurriedly took my spot and is now sitting in the driver's seat. "Oh and by the way, can I get my phone back now?" Ashley hands it over to Isaiah, who gives to me. "And my pizza too". Ashley groans when I say this and reluctantly gives the box to me. She probably thought I was gonna forget and leave her to eat the whole box by herself. I open it and give her a slice.

That should make her feel better right?

"Okay bye guys", they wave back at me and they zoom off.

Stepping into the bar, which is packed with people as usual. I scan the crowd and zone in on the counter finding the situation very odd. Something's missing. 

Or someone. I don't see Lucas anywhere. Which is very weird considering that we always have our shifts together.

Or am I too early?

I check my time and confirm that I'm actually 10 minutes late. So where is Lucas and why isn't he here to scold me yet? Maybe he's with his girlfriend. Yeah, maybe. Boss comes out of his office and when he sees me, he rushes to me. "Bro, can you take the full house?"

"Sure, but any idea where Lucas is?"

"Yeah, that's the thing. He quit", he says scratching his head.

What?

"Why?"

"He got into an argument with the new owner"

"There's a new owner? Wait, why are you even selling off?" I question. I can't get over the fact that Lucas would quit just because he got into an argument. Everyone loved Lucas around here. So there's definitely something that's not adding up. "I got money issues and this guy actually paid me twice the amount I spent in opening this bar"

"Woah. That's got to be a lot. So who's gonna be my new boss?"

"Some Ryan Fer-"

"Fuck no" I mentally groan. I cannot believe the bastard bought the place. Was this his sick way of getting at me. Making me lose the things I love? Well he's gonna have to try harder to get rid of me. But Fuck!

And why would Lu quit? Maybe because of the night when he saw us fight? Okay, I'm not gonna get ahead of myself thinking it's because of me that he quit and just ask him when I see him. So I call him. On the first dial, he picks up as if expecting my call.

"Bro, what's up? Heard you quit"

"Zack...", he started and when he said my name, I felt a quick chill on my skin. Why'd he have to say my name like that? Now I think something is wrong.

"Lu?"

"Zack, I think you're in big trouble. Remember that guy you fought in the bar? He came at Zayne and indirectly threatened her. She's scared shitless right now. I had to leave cause I found out he was gonna buy the bar. Zack you need to get out of here. I don't know what he's capable of but I know he's fucking sick"

He rushes every single word as if the time he was using to talk to me was limited. And he sounded fucking terrified. "Okay, Lu. Calm down and tell me what happened."

"Okay", he says. Taking a deep breath before speaking slowly, "So, earlier today, Zayne comes over to me crying, telling me some creepy guy mugged her and told her to watch her back right. And I didn't want to leave her but she wouldn't let me stay, saying that I needed to go to my shift."

"Okay?" I nudge him on.

"And that son of a bitch was there. Walked up to me and handed me Zayne's bag with everything inside. He told me the craziest thing", he pauses.

"The fuck did he say Lu, talk to me." I try not to raise my voice because I know that whatever he said scared him and made him quit. But I was shaking with anger that he went as far as hurting my friends.

"He said that you cared about me and when the time was right, I would be gone. I told him off and said I would call the cops to put a restraining order on him and he just laughed in my face saying that even if he was arrested, his work would still be done."

"Fuck!" I scream and slam my hand down on the table causing eyes to turn on me. "Did he touch you? I don't know what to ask. Are you okay? Is Zayne okay? Fuck! What else did he do? That can't be fucking all, Lu."

"He just told me if I wanted to keep myself and my little pet safe, I would stay away from you till you're gone. I'm so sorry bro, I didn't know what to do. I just couldn't be there and I panicked, quit and ran off"

"It's okay, Lu. You had to do what you felt was right and I can't blame you for that. I'm just glad you're okay. Just stay with Zayne and keep her safe, okay?"

"Definitely bro, and Zackie, you have to be careful. Don't do anything stupid man."

"I can't promise you anything", I say and hang up when I feel he was going to say something more.

I keep thinking of what to do next. I know I can't act rashly cause that would just put Ashley in danger. Seeing that she's really important to me and that bastard would know that if he knew I was friends with Lucas.

Fine, I wouldn't see him. I wouldn't give him the satisfaction of making me squirm. I needed to be strong. And right now I have to keep everything I love safe. Starting with Ashley. I send a quick text to Isaiah to cancel and stay with Ash at home till I get there. 

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I guess here's where the drama starts :)

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Chapter 16 ! I hope you like it... and if you do, don't forget to vote and comment if you think its okay. Just let me know what you like or don't.

More drama and great content awaits you!

Thank you so much for 1.2k reads! Keep sharing with your friends! I love y'all.

Till the next time I update...

~Nifiee