Submitting to My Best Friend's Dad-Chapter 906 : Barfights

*Leo*

Of all the things I expected to do after work on a Thursday night, hanging out in a gritty bar was not one of them.

And yet here I was.

The Downtown LA bar I’d chosen at random was practically empty, with only me and three other people. A passed-out man in a corner booth, head down on the table as he let out a loud snore every minute or so, and two middle-aged guys who looked like they had two mortgages and six kids each waiting for them back home were emptily staring up at the TV to watch the latest game of golf.

By their deadened eyes and the beer bottles piling up on their table, I felt they were just here so they wouldn’t have to go home.

I sighed, sipping at the old-fashioned I’d ordered though it’s not like I was here for the alcohol. I don’t normally drink but I felt like I could use it after everything the past couple of days.

“Rough night, buddy?” The bartender eyed me across the bar as he refilled my drink.

“Something like that,” I said with a half-hearted laugh. “I don’t really feel like going home right now.”

“You and everybody else in this bar.” The bartender shrugged, turning away to go back to his cleaning.

I glanced at the other guys in the bar and I hated how pathetic I felt. I sighed as I pulled out my phone, checking for any messages. I know that Bianca had seen the one I sent her about being home late but she didn’t reply.

I didn’t expect her to.

Though we’d sort of made up this morning, I knew the fight wasn’t over. And I really didn’t want to upset her anymore with my bad moods. I felt like I could only say the wrong words when I was in front of her nowadays.

So I came here.

But alcohol isn’t as mind-numbing as I thought it would be.

I’m so lost in my thoughts, pitying myself that I didn’t hear the door as it opened, and in came a new figure as they scanned the bar and their gaze landed on me. I did, however, hear their footsteps and the heavy sigh they released as they took the stool next to me.

“Water,” the harsh voice next to me ordered from the bartender and I smirked, turning to glance at the man beside me. Franky stared back at me with a cold look. “What?”

The bartender just gave Franky a bland look before heading off to make Franky his glass of water.

“What are you doing here?” I asked him casually, like this was just an unusual run-in with a work friend and not that he followed me here, which we both knew to be the truth.

“I’m thirsty,” Franky said blankly, giving the Bartender a nod when he came back with a glass of water like he’d asked. However, I also saw Franky’s scowl at the ice in the drink when the bartender’s back was turned.

“Oh, really and you needed to stop at a bar for that, did you?” I grinned, shaking my head at his poor excuses. “What are you really doing here?”

“You were in a bad mood,” Franky said, dropping the pretense in that blunt, demanding way of his that usually drove everyone around him nuts. But I honestly found it a bit comforting. After everything we’ve been through together, I knew Franky was a better man than he let others think.

But that didn’t mean I was ready to spill my guts to him in this bar.

“So?” I played dumb, playing it cool even as he pinned me with that dark stare of his.

“So, tell me about it,” Franky said calmly like he hadn’t just completely switched his character.

I snorted but as I stared down at my drink, I realized exactly why this position feels so familiar. Back when it was Elio and I, we’d come to this very bar after a long day of work. Days when Cat wasn’t speaking to Elio and was furious with him for some reason or another.

It had been me in the other seat, listening to Elio’s rants and giving him advice, even though half the time I didn’t even know what I was talking about. Bianca’s the first relationship I’ve had to last this long but now I sorta get what Elio had been going on about.

It takes work.

A lot of work.

How ironic I was now the one needing advice.

I sighed, finally giving in as I glumly told him, “Bianca’s pissed at me.”

Franky snorted into his water, nearly spraying it all over the bar and I glared at him, already knowing where this was going. He slowly, mechanically turned to me with a neutral look but I could see his lip wobbling, struggling not to pull up into a laugh.

His voice was strained as he said, “Oh, is that so? And that’s something new to you?”

“Fucker!” I glared at him, grabbing my drink and downing it as Franky chuckled, an almost smile on his bastard-like face. The bartender came back around, scowling as he grabbed my empty glass to refill it.

I sulked at the bar, glancing at my phone once more but it was the same sight to meet me again. No messages, no calls.

I deserved it.

“So what did you do to piss her off so much?” Franky asked after a moment of silence.

“I don’t know!” I lied, denying the reality but then sighed at his pointed look. “I guess I just...She’s been acting weird lately and I’ve been stressed, so focused on dealing with Michael. I guess I kinda blew her off when she was trying to tell me something and she’s pissed I’m spending so many hours at both my jobs but what the fuck am I supposed to do? I have to catch Michael to protect her and the only way to do that is to work!”

“Or,” Franky countered almost immediately, “You’re focusing on Michael because it’s easier and it’s something you know how to deal with rather than the issues with your relationship. Hence why even after there’s no more work to be done, you’re here instead of at home with her.”

I fell silent then blinked rapidly as his words settled over me like a second skin. I feel like he’d just whacked me in the back of the head while he just takes another sip of his fucking water.

“The fuck?” I reel back, staring at him like an alien had taken the place of the Franky I knew and this was just an imposter. “Where the fuck did that come from? I thought you were the worst with women.”

Franky gave me a bored look. “You never asked before. And I’m far from the worst. Otherwise, I wouldn’t be married.”

“You’re what?” Now that bombshell threw me for a fucking loop. “When the fuck did you get married?”

“Five years ago,” Franky said casually like it didn’t even matter and he hadn’t just ripped up my whole understanding of the man beside me.

“When were you going to tell me that?” I snapped, feeling like a goddamn idiot. Not only had I just found out he wasn’t even single, but now I found out he’s been married for longer than I’ve ever known him.

“I wasn’t,” Franky said then gave me a piercing look. “But this isn’t about me. It’s about fixing you. So finish your drink, close your tab, and go home to your girl. Get on your knees and beg if you have to because, at the rate you’re going, you’re about to lose her.”

I paled at his words, clenching my hands on my drink as we sat there in utter silence. He’s right. I knew that but hearing it out loud sent a wave of terror down my spine.

Bianca is the love of my life. The woman I love more than anything else. I can’t lose her. Especially not because I’m being an idiot.

“You’re right,” I sighed, then glared down at the last bit of drink before downing it.

“Of course I’m right,” Franky snorted.

“Hey, bartender-” I called out with a wave of my hand, and no sooner did he turn to me did the doors slammed open with a loud bang. I heard chairs screeching as one of the guys behind us watching TV fell onto the floor.

The snores of the sleeping man stopped abruptly as he shouted, “It’s not illegal!” but the bar fell into a tense and dark silence as we all eyed the doorway. I stiffened, recognizing immediately what was happening as three guys walked straight in.

The main guy is one I’ve seen before. One I’ve shot a bullet at. One who undoubtedly worked under Michael and last I saw had been carted off in cuffs.

“Well, well, well,” He curled his lips, showing off his gold front tooth as he approached. His shirt’s tucked up to showcase the gun holstered on his right side and the two burly men behind him are carrying the same make and model. “Fancy seeing you here, gentlemen.”

Franky and I both tensed up, knowing that any wrong move would lead to a conflict. The Bartender isn’t a flake when it comes to this either and I watched him from the corner of my eyes as he silently slipped against the wall and gestured hurriedly to the other customers.

To buy time, I sneered at the asshole. “And what are you doing here? Didn’t find enough entertainment in jail?”

Gold Tooth sneered at the taunt. “Don’t worry about that, Leo. I’ll get you back for that stupid stunt of yours. Or at least, our Boss will.”

“Your Boss doesn’t scare me in the slightest,” I brushed off his warning easily, turning in the seat to stare at the three men with a dark glare. “So what the fuck do you want? Or are you looking for round two?”

“Oh come now, can’t we be civil?” Gold Tooth snickered. “You might at least try, for that girl of yours. Pretty little thing ain’t she?”

Franky slammed a hand against my chest before I could get to my feet and slammed his smug face into the bar table.

“Leave this instant or I will break your legs and send you back to your fucking boss as a warning,” I threatened harshly. I take a bit of satisfaction seeing how he tried to hide the fear that crossed his face but then he sneered.

“Don’t shoot the messenger, Leo. We’re just here to give you a warning. Michaels’ got eyes everywhere and you’ve got a little rat problem to be focusing on, especially near your girl,” Gold Tooth taunted eagerly.

And here’s my bottom line.

I bypassed Franky, reached out to grab the bastard by his hair, and then slammed his face into the bar before grabbing my drink and slamming it across his head. He screamed out in pain, falling to the floor as two guns were pointed straight at my head.

I don’t even flinch, staring at them as Franky’s gun clicked behind me. I know he has my back.

“You fucking bastard!” Gold tooth gets up from the floor, cursing out a storm as he glares at me, blood dripping from his head.

“Take them out,” Franky warned all three of them. “If you think this is an opportunity and we’re alone then you’re surely mistaken. You’re not the only one with eyes and you just walked straight into our territory. So turn around and walk out while you still have the chance.”

It’s Franky’s calm rationality that gets through the fuckers, though they never take their eyes off of me as they slowly back out of the bar.

“Your days are numbered, Leo, just remember that!” Gold Tooth spat at me before he and the rest of his goons disappeared outside.

I clenched my fists and then unclenched them over and over, standing there as paranoia filled my veins.

“Who is it?” I turn to Franky wildly. “Who the fuck did they attach to her behind my back?”

“Leo, focus,” Franky tried to calm me down but all I could hear was that there were rats right near Bianca. “It’s just a threat, you know that!”

I don’t know that. My mind raced with thoughts as I pushed Franky away and stormed out of the room. I have to get home as soon as possible. I have to find out who the fuck the rat is.

And make sure every threat around her is neutralized.