It was their first time there, and they both loved the cozy atmosphere. After a couple glasses of wine, they decided to change things up and walk along the riverfront. They talked and wandered so long they barely noticed how late it had gotten. Annie was just about ready to head home when Mike made a suggestion.
“How about a club?” he said. “I’m not ready to say goodnight yet.” “In that case, we could find someplace quieter and less crowded,” Annie said, leaning against him. “Later,” Mike said. “Right now, let me take you to the best club on the river—Storm.”
Like a game-show host presenting a grand prize, Mike gestured with both hands toward the nightclub across the street. “What’s wrong? You like clubs.” Mike looked at Annie, puzzled. “Usually, yes. Just not tonight,” she said, hesitating. But when she saw he was set on it, she agreed.
The place was lively, just as expected. Mike and Annie weren’t exactly party people, but that night they were running on adrenaline and gave themselves over to the music. In the past they’d gone out dancing now and then, but always with a bigger group.
This was the first time they’d gone out just the two of them. Everything was going fine until a young man, obviously drunk and full of himself, appeared near the bar. He was dressed well—tailored pants, an expensive shirt, polished shoes.
Mike noticed him right away. The guy stood by the bar facing the dance floor, staring at Annie like he had every right in the world. Mike caught the look and stared right back.
The stranger noticed and answered with a nasty smirk, then flashed Mike an obscene gesture. Under other circumstances, Mike might have gone straight at him, but he understood he was alone tonight and had no idea who this arrogant kid might be connected to. He decided to let it go and not ruin the evening for himself and Annie.
But the guy wasn’t done. First he moved closer to where they were dancing. Mike saw that and led Annie deeper into the crowd, only to realize a few minutes later that the man had followed them and was now flailing around on the dance floor, bumping into people.
Little by little he worked his way closer, dancing right behind Annie and brushing against her. Then Mike’s phone rang. He pulled it from his pocket and saw “Mom” on the screen.
It was too loud to talk, so he declined the call. But then she called again. Mike looked around for someplace quieter and quickly realized he’d need to step outside to hear anything.
He turned toward Annie—and saw something that made his blood run cold. The drunk had wrapped his arms around her from behind and was trying to kiss her neck. Annie was shouting and struggling, but she couldn’t break free from his grip.
Mike stepped in immediately. He grabbed the man by the back of the collar and marched him off the dance floor. From the side, it looked like he was carrying a misbehaving tomcat out the door and was about ready to toss it into the yard.
That was pretty much what happened. The second they got outside, Mike gave the guy a hard kick that sent him sprawling. The man doubled over, cursing and yelling, while security rushed in and pulled Mike away.
They understood who had started the whole thing, but they still warned him. “Listen, man, you and your girl ought to head home,” one of them said. “I don’t like this guy. He’s trouble. Best to leave while you can”…
