Chapter Twenty Nine- Double Disaster

Jack held the door open for me like a gentleman and smiled. I smiled back and entered through, my heart speeding up the deeper inside we got. I dodged a few people heading up the stairs and then nervously waited at the bottom, Jack not being far behind. We both lookefd around and within seconds, spotted Tasha and Shawn sitting in a booth together, drinks already at hand.

Tasha and I made eye contact and her face immediately lit up. She stood up and rushed over, nearly engulfing me completely in a happy yet breathless hug. I giggled and hugged her back. "Hello to you too."

"Come, come sit." She urged. Normally, it would probably strike me odd that someone was being so chipper and out there, but that was just who Tasha was and I had gotten more than used to it. "I'm Tasha by the way! What's your name? I don't think I've seen you around here before. But then again I am newish myself so that would make sense." She rambled at Jack.

He let out a small chuckle. "The name's Jack. And I'm just visiting from home." He told her.

We reached the table and Shawn's expression changed from happy to seeing us to an instant glare. "What the hell is he doing here?" His eyes burned through his brother fiercely, probably more so than the first time I had seen both of them interact together. I swallowed hard and went to speak but Jack beat me to it.

"I'm her date," he smiled, almost smugly. I looked back and fourth between both of them and let out a nervous laugh.

"Whose hungry?" I nearly squeaked clapping my hands together.

Shawn immediately stood up. "I'm sorry Tasha, maybe this wasn't such a good idea. Rain check, okay?" He gave her a fake smile before throwing a five down on the table.

Tasha frowned. "Do you have to?"

I frowned also but then glared and crossed my arms. "You're being a child. Do you really have to just take off because of petty feelings?"

Shawn laughed and threw his jacket on. "I'm not being a child. I'm doing the most adult thing I know how and that's by leaving."

"Shawn, don't leave," Jack tried to grab his arm and stop him but he quickly pulled away.

"You taught me how,"

And at that, he pushed past us all and made it half way up the stairs. I shook my head and stared down at my feet, feeling more ashamed of myself than I ever had before. What had I done? I didn't make a damn thing better. If anything, I made it worse. And now possibly lost one of the best people I knew, again.

Before anyone had the chance to say anything, the commotion that echoed from the staircase of the restaurant caught everyone's attention.

"Knew I'd find you here, Hunter."

It was Harley and his crew.

Great. That didn't take very long at all for Harley to recover completely once he was awake and return to complete douche mode. He was pushing Shawn back down the stairs and within seconds had him against the pinball machine that sat near the bottom. Some people cleared out and others stayed around to watch, as always being too afraid to say anything.

"Harley, what are you-" Shawn's sentence was cut off by Harley's fist striking him across the jaw.

"You know exactly why I'm here you little shit. You and that no good for nothin' whore of yours put me in the hospital. Now it's my turn to return the favor."

Joey cackled like a weasel and Frankie stood beside them, arms crossed, looking proud of the scene his boss was causing. Harley wound up for another hit but Jack was quick to rush over and intervene.

"Hey!"

Shawn for ready for impact but hesitantly opened his eyes when it didn't come. Harley stopped mid punch and looked in our direction. When he saw Jack, he let out a laugh and hit Shawn once again.

"What are you gonna do? Huh?" Harley grabbed Shawn roughly by the collar of the shirt and lifted it so high up that he began to choke out for air. "Huh?!"

Jack grabbed Harley by the shoulder and whipped him towards himself. Harley instinctively let go of Shawn and looked a little surprised, but quickly laughed it off. Before Frankie and Joey could intervene in response, Jack curled his lip angrily and quickly hit Harley hard enough across the face that he sent him flying to bottom step.

The entire restaurant went quiet as everyone watched Harley regain himself and push his posse off as they rushed to his aid. Harley stood up, smoothed out his jacket and wiped his bloody lip. He nodded and then pointed towards Jack. "You'll pay for that. Take my word. Ain't no one going to be able to identify you when I'm done." He then turned to Shawn. "And don't think I'm done with you neither." And at that, he pushed past Frankie and Joey and was gone as fast as he had arrived. They were of course quick to follow.

Once the door slammed from the upstairs, the entire place erupted in applause which of course caused Jack to smile shyly as he shook his hand which had quickly turned red. He shook his head. "It was nothing. Please."

I turned my attention to Shawn, whose face wasn't awful, but could clearly be taken for as someone who just got hit. His jaw was already starting to swell. I knew Shawn and I knew anyone, even me, making a big deal out of him being hurt was a bad idea. He wanted pity from no one, ever; no matter what the circumstance was.

Jack let out a sigh and motioned towards his baby brother. "Are you okay?"

Shawn stared coldly for a minute, wiggling his jaw around slightly as he held the bottom of it. "This changes nothing, Jack. Not a damn thing."

And just like that, he was up the stairs as well and was gone out the door, leaving everyone staring at Jack, myself and Tasha. My heart felt heavy. The heaviest it had ever felt probably ever.

What was I going to do to make ANY of that better?