In The Sunshine Read Online Free Page A

from the bar, Eddie pushed Regan forward. He was trying to force her out the door. The bartender, Ray, a slender man appearing to be in his late forties, grabbed Eddie’s shoulder.
    “She said let her –-”
    Eddie released his grip on Regan, turned to his left and flattened Ray with a roundhouse right. She used the distraction to try to get away, but he regained his hold on her by yanking a clump of her hair.
    Regan howled in pain, but kept fighting. Eddie had her left arm pulled behind her. She reached behind her with her right and clawed his face with her nails. A few feet from the door, a man stepped in front of them. Regan looked and his face didn't register. Then it hit her, it was the guy from the Sandbar and the beach: Matt.
    Eddie flung Regan into a nearby table with his left hand and then grabbed a fist full of Matt's tank top with his right.
    “Get the hell out of my way,” Eddie yelled, “if you know what’s good for you.”
    “Not happening,” Matt said.
    He towered over Matt and Regan knew what was coming next. If Eddie couldn't intimidate, he would pummel Matt. He liked to fight and she had witnessed him drop a pair of college guys at a keg party when one of them got too friendly with her. To her surprise, Matt didn't move an inch after Eddie's threat.  
    Eddie shot his left fist into the side of Matt's face. The blow snapped his head backward, but Matt held his ground. A quick right from Eddie grazed his chin. Matt regained his footing and seemed to dare his opponent to swing again.
    Eddie obliged and tried a straight right. Matt pushed it away with his left hand and into his raised right arm. In one motion, Matt secured Eddie's hand with his left and used his bodyweight to roll Eddie's caught arm over. Matt then leaned forward and down, pushing Eddie arm back at an awkward angle.
    "You're going to break my wrist," he yelped.
    Matt took Eddie to the floor and then quickly moved behind him, pinching his arm backward. Matt putt a knee in Eddie's lower back then grabbed his left arm and applied some type of hold on his left thumb. Eddie tried to buck Matt off, but it was useless. He wasn’t going anywhere.
    Eddie turned his head to face Regan. He smiled and then let out a sarcastic laugh.
    “You think this is over, bitch?” he said. “It ain’t. I’ll get --”
    Matt slammed Eddie’s face into the floor and then a second time for good measure. He leaned down to whisper into Eddie’s ear.
    "Shut the fuck up,” Matt said, “if you know what’s good for you.”
    Regan wanted to stomp Eddie’s skull, but knew getting anywhere near him might cause Matt to lose his grip. Her entire relationship with Eddie flashed before her eyes. She couldn't believe it had come to this. He had been so much fun at first and even seemed like a good guy.
    How could she have been so wrong?
    A couple of minutes elapsed before two Cocoa Beach officers arrived. Matt took his knee off of Eddie’s back and allowed him to rise off the floor, but with his wrists still tightly in his grip. One of the officers cuffed Eddie and Matt reached into his back pocket.
    He flashed a badge to the officer and suddenly, it all made sense to Regan. The crew cut. The aura of safety that drifted off Matt in waves. His even demeanor in the fight. He was a cop, and apparently, a good one.
    Regan moved closer to Matt. He was describing the incident to the officer, who took notes on a small pad. The officer finished interviewing Matt and closed his notepad. Seconds later, Eddie was led away.  
    Regan’s defenses dropped. Pain started rushing in from various parts of her body and she trembled. She would not, however, allow herself to cry.  
    "Do you have someone you can call?” Matt asked, turning to her.
    She shook her head no. "Just my roommate and she's working."
    "Where do you live?"
    Regan hesitated for a moment. She normally relied on her instincts. They had served her well over the years, at least until Eddie. Should she tell him?