Resolution (Saviour) by Lesley Jones Page A

Tough,” I reply. “Don't listen then, and stay away from Jarrod White. The blokes a complete loser, your brothers would kill me and Sam if they knew we let you hook up with a prick like that. He's a spoilt little rich kid whose been in trouble most of his life.”
    She says nothing in return, just pouts. I know I sound mean , but the bloke really is bad news.
    We find a table as Jo looks around and shakes her head, turns to me and says , “There's no one in here under thirty five. How am I supposed to pull?”
    “ You’re not,” I reply.
    “ I need you focused on fighting off the weirdo’s she's gonna attract.”
    I nod my head towards Stella , who is gyrating around a wooden pole. We all look in her direction and laugh.
    “ Come on let's dance,” Jemma shouts.
    We drag Stella from her pole and strut our stuff on the dance floor. We are approached by men of all ages. Some we have a little dance and a bit of banter with others we turn our back on and ignore. Despite my reservations and lack of alcohol, I'm really enjoying myself. I am back with my girls, on a loud night out. Just what I needed. And tomorrow I will be back with Gabe. And I can't wait. I get the queasy feeling in my stomach again and step out to the garden of the bar for some air.
    I decide to text Gabe. What's the point in making him suffer any longer? I might as well let him know I want to see him tomorrow.
     
    I miss u baby
     
    My reply comes just a few seconds later
     
    Fuck Lauren, I miss u too. Plz come home, now! I'll come and get you
     
    Without hesitating I reply.
     
    Ok I'm at Beaches with the girls
     
    Wot the fuck r u doing in beaches?
     
    Dancing mostly
     
    U took Stell into Beaches
     
    Beaches was the safest option... She's a fuckin liability your sister
     
    Plz don't tell me things like that Lauren. I'm on my way. I Luv u. Will u marry me? x
     
    I head back inside with the biggest grin on my face. Shit Jarrod is here. On the dance floor, with his tongue rammed down Stella's throat. Great!
    “ Sam! Could you not have stopped this?”
    “ She tried Loz. Stella told her to mind her own business,” Jemma informs me.
    Sam shrugs , “Let her get on with it Lauren, I'm sick of telling her.”
    I leave them to it for a few minutes but when they fail to come up for air, I start to panic, Gabe will be here soon and I can’t just leave Stella with someone like Jarrod. I look around.
    “ Where's Jo?” I ask.
    “ Over there talking to those blokes,” Jem indicates with a nod toward Jo standing in the corner talking to two blokes who must be in their twenties.
    Well if Jo's on the prowl, Sam and Jemma are half cut and not interested and Lu has gone home. That leaves me trying to pry Stella out of Jarrod's clutches before her brother gets here. This should be interesting. I walk over to where they are dancing/dry humping on the dance floor.
    “ Stell.”
    I tap her on the shoulder. “Stella.... Come on, we're going.”
    “ Fuck off Lauren,” comes the reply from Jarrod.
    “ Fuck you White. Her brother will be here in ten minutes. He will rip your head off and shit in your neck if he sees what you're doing to his little sister, now fuck off while you still have chan...”
    His hand is around my throat before I finish speaking. He uses so much force, my feet lift off the ground, for a few seconds all I can hear is my blood rushing through my ears. Then I hear Stella shout my name and try to pull Jarrod's arm away. The noise from the bar hits me and people seem to move forward in slow motion. Then I am flying backwards. Jo and Jemma have hold of me and I gasp for breath. I feel sick and dizzy as adrenalin pumps through me. My legs buckle slightly. Then anger takes over. That mouthy little prick. I will fucking kill him! I try to pull free from the girls but as I look up I see him. Gabriel is on Jarrod's chest. Punching the shit out of him. Zac appears from nowhere and tries pulling Gabe off. Then the bouncer joins him. Both