"Jealousy Unleashed"

I watched as Esme walked over to the bar, her hips swaying slightly as she moved, and my gut twisted with a familiar feeling - one I'd been trying to ignore for weeks now. The bartender's eyes lit up as she approached, and I felt a pang of irritation. Who was he to look at her like that? As Esme ordered our drinks, I couldn't help but notice the way the bartender was leaning in, his voice low and flirtatious. I clenched my jaw, trying to push down the rising anger. Tommy, sitting beside me, noticed my reaction and chuckled. "Hey, calm down, Joel," he said, his voice low. "She can handle herself." But I wasn't so sure. I'd seen the way that guy had looked at her at the club a few nights ago, and I knew that I wasn't the only one who'd noticed her. Esme was a magnet for attention, and it seemed like every guy in the bar was drawn to her. Just as Esme was about to take her drinks and head back to our table, a guy stumbled up to her, his eyes scanning her body before landing on her face. "Hey, you look familiar," he slurred, his voice dripping with drunkenness. "Don't I know you from somewhere?" Esme turned to him, her expression polite but uninterested. "I'm afraid not," she said, her voice firm but friendly. But the guy didn't take the hint. He kept talking, his eyes roving over her body, and I felt my anger spike. Who did this guy think he was, talking to her like that? I stood up, my movements sudden and aggressive, and Tommy's eyes widened in alarm. "Joel, sit down," he said, his voice low and urgent, but I was beyond reason. I strode over to the bar, my eyes locked on the guy, and I could feel my fists clenched at my sides. The guy was still talking, his eyes glued to Esme's ass, and I saw red. I pushed him away from her, my hand on his chest, and he stumbled backward, looking up at me with a mixture of surprise and anger. "Back off, buddy," I growled, my voice low and menacing. The guy looked at me, his eyes flashing with anger, and for a moment, I thought he was going to swing at me. But then he seemed to think better of it, and he stumbled away, muttering under his breath. Esme turned to me, her eyes wide with surprise, and for a moment, we just stared at each other. I could see the question in her eyes - what was I doing? - and I didn't have an answer. All I knew was that I couldn't stand there and watch her being hit on by some drunken guy. Tommy walked over to us, his eyes scanning the scene, and he clapped me on the back. "Thanks for stepping in, man," he said, his voice low. "But maybe next time, let's try to handle it a little more calmly, okay?" I nodded, still feeling the adrenaline coursing through my veins, and Esme turned away, her eyes avoiding mine. I knew that I'd overreacted, but I couldn't help it. The thought of anyone else touching her, talking to her, made my blood boil. And I wasn't sure why.