Page 42 of Back Room Host

“That doesn’t matter.”

Luca didn’t move. Rather, he seemed to enjoy my hug and didn’t want to let go. “Why are you holding me?”

“No idea. Maybe because I’m high.”

I felt him stiffen in my arms; maybe I should have refrained from telling him that I had taken something. But his muscles relaxed again immediately, and he seemed to find comfort in my proximity. Taking a deep breath, he reluctantly released me and nodded. “Okay, I’ll go over there and eat humble pie. So humiliating.”

As Luca headed back to the bar, Sandro reappeared by my side. “Wasn’t that the guy … oh … the bartender! Since when are you guys so close?”

I shrugged and watched Luca. His colleague appeared to brush off their scuffle as Luca returned to his station and took orders. Daniel was probably just relieved that he didn’t have to handle the rush himself.

For a moment, everything appeared fine, but then the two of them got into it again by reaching for the same bottle at the same time. They didn’t even try to hide how annoyed they were with each other.

Another accidental collision pushed things over the edge. Like two roosters asserting dominance, they squared up, exchanging heated words and shoving each other in the chest. Despite the music drowning out their voices, Daniel's messagewas unmistakable. With a pointed finger, he gestured toward the door, signaling for Luca to leave.

With a disapproving shake of my head, I observed Luca toss the towel once more before storming out of the bar. Amidst the bustling crowd, he didn't cross my path this time. His face was etched with fury, causing me to hesitate initially about whether to pursue him. Eventually, I made my decision and trailed after him, stepping outside into the stairwell.

What a hothead.

“Wait!” I even called his name, but either he didn’t hear me, or he just didn’t know where his head was at.

The latter seemed to be the case because, by now, he was pushing people out of his way in a rather aggressive manner, which wasn’t like him at all.

In the stairwell, I caught up to him just as he was about to run down the stairs. I reached for him and tried to pull him around to face me, but he grabbed my arm, causing me to lose my balance and hurtle through the air. In a split second, I saw the steps above me.

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Luca

It was a pure reflex action, one that I couldn’t undo. I had practiced that move with Dario so many times that it had become second nature to me. And how could I have known that it was Juri who grabbed me by the arm? My confused brain screamedDanger!and I assumed Daniel was following me.

Juri would have landed flat on his back if it weren’t for the stairs. And now I stood there completely dumbfounded, watching him tumble down the steps.

Fuck! I did that!

When I finally came to my senses, I hurried after him. “Juri!”

He was now lying on the landing and barely moving.

“Fuck!” I heard him mutter as I reached him.

“Oh my God! Juri! I’m so sorry! I didn’t mean to!” I knelt beside him, unsure of what to do with my hands. “Are you hurt?”

“Shit, man! Fuck off!” he groaned, turning his head as if dizzy. When he tried to lean on his wrist, he screamed in pain.

“Let me help you!” I said, reaching for his arm to help him up.

Surprisingly, he allowed it. When he put weight on his left foot, he cried out in agony again and buckled. I helped him sit on the stairs and wanted to examine his foot more closely when I noticed blood on his hairline. Everything inside me went haywire. I had sworn never to hurt anyone again, but then this happened. And with Juri of all people.

“Fuck! I’m so sorry. Please! You have to believe me. It wasn’t intentional. Pure reflex.” As I reached out my hand to him, he slapped it away. “Please, Juri! I’m sorry!”

I was close to tears. And as much as I apologized, there were no words that could make it right. Dazed, Juri pushed his hair back, smearing blood into it.

“Fuck! My foot! And my hand!”

I pulled his pant leg up around the ankle and examined his foot closely. When I touched it, Juri screamed. More and more people gathered around us, and when I saw Ron, the security guy, I called him over.

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