Ronan's words made me bristle. He sensed he'd said the wrong thing, but I spoke before he could defend himself. "This job earns me triple what I make at the diner. I'm not giving itup until some major shift happens in my life. Besides, I like to dance."
He raked his fingers through his thick hair. I could feel heat and tension coming off him in waves. "I can't stand the idea of other men seeing you naked. I know I have no right to an opinion on it, but I can tell you that opinion is strong." I sucked in a startled breath as he reached for my hand and brought his face closer. "Ray, I don't want to lose you." He held his breath, waiting to see if I would pull away. Instead, I moved closer. I sucked in another breath and held it with anticipation as he lowered his mouth to mine.
The door opened, in measured slowness at first, until Evan spotted us. Then it flew open the rest of the way, smacking into a rack of costumes hanging behind the door. Evan's jaw was set hard. His gaze went straight to me. Could this night get any worse?
"Rachel, everything all right?" I didn't like the proprietorial way he spoke to me as if he alreadyownedme. His expression hardened as he looked at Ronan. "Let go of her hand."
"Uh yeah, just as soon as you take your polished loafers out of here." The heated tension swirling around Ronan earlier had intensified. I had no doubt that Ronan could leave a man like Evan whimpering in a pile of flesh and bones.
"It's all right, Evan," I said urgently.
"I'm not leaving until he goes," Evan said.
A dry laugh shot from Ronan's mouth. "Is that right?"
Evan stretched up, trying to look bigger.
I yanked free of Ronan's hand. "Both of you, get the fuck out. Take your rooster strutting somewhere else."
A big shadow fell over the room. Oscar's face was round like the moon and his fists were big as boulders. "Who do I throw out first?"
Evan looked askance at Oscar as if asking "how dare you talk to me that way?"
Oscar's predatory gaze fell on Ronan. "I think because you're closest to Rachel, I'll start with you." He lumbered toward us.
Ronan held up his injured hand. "You think you're tough enough, Bigfoot? Never mind." He looked at me, and the hurt I'd seen earlier had been replaced with something cold and unfamiliar. My tears had dried, but inside, I trembled with despair. I knew this was the end for us.
"I wouldn't make you rich, baby, but I sure as hell would have turned this whole fucking world upside down to make you happy."
He walked up to Oscar. "You seem like a good guy, and since you protect Rachel in this dive, I've got no beef with you. Take care of her."
His words, all of them, struck me like shards of glass. I ached with the notion of never seeing him again, but I knew it was for the best. I was tiring of the constant struggle. I'd tried to be independent and strong, but life kept throwing things at me to break that resolve. I looked at Evan. He looked flustered and upset about the whole incident, but I didn't have any energy to put toward easing his discomfort. If this had ended his affection for me, then I'd just move on. If not, then I was seriously considering the stability he offered. And seeing Ronan had assured me that making decisions with my heart only led to pain.
Oscar gave Evan a fatherly scowl.
"I just need two minutes with her," Evan said.
Oscar looked at me for approval. I nodded. The bouncer held up two fingers as he walked out to remind Evan about the two-minute rule. Something told me Evan didn't get told two minutes often because he rolled his eyes … after Oscar passed by.
"Who was that?" Evan asked.
"That was Oscar, the bouncer," I answered.
"Rachel, you know who I mean. Was that the guy you were dating? Looks like a loser. You shouldn't have anything to do with him."
I'd been ready to tell him that I was leaning toward our agreement, but his sudden bossy attitude made me reconsider. At least for now.
"He's not a loser. I've got to get out on the floor, Evan. Can you please leave so I can change?"
He stayed in the room. "You're mad."
I sat down at the vanity with a plunk. "I'm tired and I'm working and—" My voice broke, and it occurred to me that I was far more upset about the whole scene with Ronan than the follow-up rooster scuffle with Evan.
Evan took my shaky tone as an invite to offer comfort. He put his hand on my shoulder. No reaction. Not like the major earthquake that shook me when Ronan merely dragged his thumb through a tear on my cheek. Maybe that was all right. It would be so much easier to keep my head about me if the relationship didn't include a major dose of passion. I could avoid heartbreak, something I was experiencing in waves as the harsh reality that I'd never see Ronan again sank in.
"You're upset. Why don't you take the rest of the night off? I could take you out for some drinks."
His hand came off my shoulder naturally as I spun around to face him. "I have to work, Evan. I need every penny I'm earning these days. Please, let me get ready, so I can get back to work."