Chapter 28.

He easily got out out of his fancy car. A few local blokes stared at the vehicle, which shone with the small layer of dust which had settled onto the blue varnish of his car. Obviously it wasn't that normal to have a proper car around here, Jack noted as he let his eyes wander over the Parking lot of the Gungellan pub, smoothly sliding his car key into the pock of his dark jeans. Wearing a white shirt, sleeves rolled up till his upper arms, he didn't look much different from his work clothes. To be honest he had defrosted a pizza in the oven, after finishing work at the office.

No need to change. He wasn't here to impress, and clearly this town didn't hold much of a city attitude either. Jack breathed out, not looking much forward to meeting new people, but he had been told this was the place to be, surely tonight.

***

Stevie had let herself sunk into the arms of Russ. It was rather suiting and with a few more beers swallowed down her throat she figured she could have a pretty good night out. She wasn't aware of Ben's curious gaze, which settled nearly constantly onto her.

Jaz pulled him along to the bar; 'let her okay?' Her eyes stared at him, but still saw how his gaze was turned towards what looked like two love birds. 'Ben!!', she protested and asked for attention.

'What?', he muttered, his deep brown eyes now looking at her.

'Let her do whatever she thinks is right. You can't protect her constantly', Jaz told him.

He nodded halfly, a last look towards Stevie and Russ. 'I guess so, it's just that … she is in a vulnerable place lately.' Jaz showed a soft smile. Partly she loved him for being so concerned and caring when it came to his cousin.

'She'll be fine Ben', she smiled, looking at him.

***

Her giggle could be heard when Russ pulled her back from out a dancing spin. Amused he looked at her, loving every way about her. 'See, you can have fun.'

'Yeah', she nearly chuckled, a little clumsy, staring at him, until an image from behind him came to the front. At least her front, like eyes trying to get the background sharp, now her view was all focused on the door of the pub. People passing by, blocking her view, and she blinked once more.

Not again …

'Hey, that's my foot you're standing on', Russ grinned, not noticing much of her eyes wandering of to a certain spot in the pub.

Suddenly she shook up, stared at him … seconds passing till her mind reminded herself of the image that was printed on her retina. Again Stevie stared passed Russ, but again this time nothing to be seen, at least not what she expected. Not him. Feeling a rush of oddness slid through her veins Stevie pulled him along to the bar.

'Two beer!', her voice sounded roughly and Russ frowned as he saw her lean half over the bar, one hand still holding on to his, as he shortly apologized for bumping into Marcus.

'No worries mate, I see you're having someone swinging', Marcus grinned, and winked at him. Russ returned a grin. 'Good on you, she can use some fun.' Marcus patted him on the shoulder, while Stevie eagerly took the two beers, and just some paper money into the bartender's hand, not expecting any change.