Jake’s eyes shifted towards the pool table where everyone was still staring at him, and his face grew even redder. He quickly turned and stormed off to the bathroom.  

None of you had been able to hear what had been said, but it was clear the women had been laughing at Jake. And when he finally exited the bathroom ten minutes later and stalked over to the group, everyone tried to pretend they hadn’t noticed anything had happened but the weird tension around the table made it clear they knew.

For the next hour, Jake sulked against the wall, downing drink after drink as everyone tried to keep their distance. Fanboy and Payback challenged Rooster and Bob to a game of pool while you and Phoenix chatted at your table, sometimes joined by Bob when someone else was taking their shot. 

As Fanboy was taking his turn, you were telling Bob and Phenix an embarrassing story about something one of your coworkers had done earlier at work. As you got to the funny part, all three of you began to chuckle amongst yourselves.

“Something funny over there, Floyd?”

The group grew quiet as Jake pushed himself off the wall and took a few steps towards your table. You hadn’t seen Jake use that tone since before the mission. He had softened since then, still overly cocky and slightly arrogant, but not harsh or mean. Not like this. You exchanged a look with Phoenix which confirmed you weren’t the only one who noticed this shift in Jake’s behavior.

Bob straightened up from where he had been leaning on the table and looked at Jake. “No, we were just talking.”

“Yeah, I could hear that.” Jake’s eyes narrowed. His words seemed slightly slurred and there was no doubt he was drunk. “Seems like your girl there said something pretty funny. Care to share?”

You didn’t like being referred to as “your girl” but as you opened your mouth to say something, Bob placed his hand on your knee. His eyes were still locked on Jake, but you knew what he was trying to tell you. Stay out of this.

“Not much to share. She was just telling us something that happened at work.” Bob took a few steps towards the pool table. “I think it’s my turn.”

But as he reached for the cue that Fanboy offered him, Jake blocked him, his body only inches from Bob’s. 

“You think you’re so much better than the rest of us because you have someone waiting for you when you go home at night. But don’t get too confident, she’ll wise up soon enough and move on to someone more on her level.” Jake glanced at you and winked before turning back to Bob with a smirk. “What a girl like her thinks she sees in you, I’ll never know.”

You tried to jump to your feet, but Phoenix dragged you back down. Leaning close, she muttered, “Don’t make this worse. He’s drunk and he’s embarrassed and those are not a good combination. Bob can handle himself.”

Bob took a deep breath and then said, “Listen, Bagman, I’m sorry if you can’t find someone who wants to put up with your bullshit, but I would appreciate it if you didn’t speak about my girlfriend or my relationship like that.”

Your heart fluttered slightly. Of course Bob would ignore the fact that all of Jake’s insults were actually aimed at him and defend you instead. 

Coyote placed a hand on Jake’s arm as he tried to get his friend to step away from the situation, but Jake yanked his arm free and took a step closer to Bob. Leaning in until his face was inches from Bob’s, Jake gave him a cocky grin. “One night, Bobbo. Just one night with me is all it would take for her to forget your name.”

Rooster had silently joined your table, and it took both he and Phoenix to keep you from leaping out of your seat and storming up to Jake. Yet, as fuming mad as you were, Bob seemed just as calm as usual. 

He gave Jake a small half-smile. “Good luck with that, Jake.” Then he took a few steps back, signaling the end of the conversation. 

You weren’t sure what tipped Jake over the edge. Whether it was the fact that Bob hadn’t seemed even the slightest bit rattled by anything he had said or if Bob’s comment and dismissal of Jake hit some nerve. Maybe it was even the fact Bob had called him by his real name. But the next thing you knew, Jake had wound back his fist and threw a punch.

What happened next was so fast that it took you a minute to process that it had even happened. One second, Jake was swinging his arm wildly, his fist aimed directly at Bob’s head. And the next second, Bob effortlessly ducked under the incoming limb and drove his fist directly into Jake’s solar plexus. Jake’s eyes bulged as he crumpled to the ground with a loud groan.

The bar fell completely silent save for Jake’s gasps for air. Bob’s eyes flickered around the room quickly before he gave everyone a tight-lipped smile and a small nod. Then he walked back over to your table and picked up his drink, oblivious to your slack-jawed staring.

Rooster was the first one to regain his senses. “Woah, Bob! What the hell was that?”

Bob shrugged one shoulder nonchalantly. “I have a lot of older cousins who like to play rough. I learned a few things.” Taking one final drink from his water, he turned to you. “Are you ready to go?”

You could only manage to mutely nod before Bob took your hand. As he began to lead you out of the bar, you looked over your shoulder at Phoenix, your eyes screaming what just happened? She held up her hands in utter confusion and shrugged. Apparently, you weren’t the only one surprised by this other side of Bob.

It wasn’t until he had walked you halfway to the car that you finally snapped out of your daze. Using the fact your hands were still connected, you yanked him back into you, causing him to stumble slightly. Before he could ask what was going on, you slammed your lips against his as you wrapped your arms around his neck. 

You felt him stiffen in surprise but he soon melted against your embrace, returning your kiss with a similar intensity as his hands rest on your hips, drawing you in even closer. The two of you continued to make out in the middle of the parking lot, oblivious to the stares of the other bar patrons walking to their cars. It wasn’t until someone honked and cat-called that the spell was broken.

Pulling back, you grinned as you noticed his glasses were slightly askew. Straightening them for him, you place one more quick kiss on his lips before sliding your hand into his once more.

“What was all that about?” Bob asked breathlessly. 

“Do you have any idea how hot that was in there? The way you took Jake down with just a single punch?”

Bob’s face grew a bright red as he muttered, “It wasn’t a big deal.”

“No, it was a huge deal.” Your eyes roamed over his body quickly then you began practically dragging him towards the car. 

“Woah! Slow down,” Bob said as he struggled to keep up. “What’s the hurry?”

You stopped and looked over your shoulder at him. “Either we get home in the next few minutes, or I am blowing you in this parking lot.”

Part Two out now!