I was serving a group of regulars when Caleb leaned against the bar. “Hey, Emma. You missed me?”
I ignored him as I’ve had a lot of work, hoping he’d get the hint and leave, but he didn’t. Instead, he turned his attention to one of the men sitting at the bar—a guy who’d been harmlessly flirting with me earlier in the night.
“You got a problem?” Caleb slurred, his grin disappearing.
The man looked up, confused. “Excuse me?”
“You think it’s okay to hit on her?” Caleb snapped, jabbing a finger at him. “She’s with me.”
“Caleb, stop,” I hissed, stepping between them.
But he didn’t stop. Caleb shoved the man, his movements clumsy but forceful enough to knock over a stool. The bar went silent as everyone turned to watch. My heart raced as the man stood up, his face hardening.
“Your boyfriend’s got a temper,” he said, looking at me.
“Caleb, get out of here!” I said, my voice rising.
Caleb looked at me, confusion and hurt flashing across his face. “I’m just trying to protect you.”
“I don’t need you to protect me!” I shouted.
Before things could escalate further, Caleb’s dad stormed out from the back, his face red with anger. “That’s enough!” he barked. He grabbed Caleb by the arm and dragged him toward the door. “You’re done for the night. Go home.”
Caleb stumbled out, mumbling protests under his breath. His dad turned to me, his expression grim. “This is the last time, Emma,” he said. “If he causes another scene, you’re out. Got it?”
I nodded, my cheeks burning with humiliation. “Got it.”
Later that night, Caleb was waiting for me by my car. I froze, the memory of his outburst still fresh in my mind.
“What are you doing here?” I asked, my voice sharp.
“I’m sorry,” he said, his words clearer now but still tinged with desperation. “I screwed up. I know that.”
“You think?” I snapped, unlocking my car. “You embarrassed me, Caleb. And you almost got me fired.”
“I was just trying to—”
“Don’t say you were trying to protect me,” I interrupted, my voice breaking. “This isn’t about me. This is about you. You’ve been spiraling, Caleb, and I can’t keep following you down.”
His face fell, and for a moment, he looked like a lost little boy. “So what? You’re just giving up on me?”
“I’m not giving up,” I said, my tone softening. “But I need space. And so do you.”
I got into my car and drove off, leaving Caleb standing alone in the dark.