“Really?Is that why you have a woman cornered in a fucking parking lot?”Noah shoved him.“What the fuck is wrong with you?”
“I just wanted to talk!I need the words!I can’t find the words!”Parker’s shoulders heaved as he broke down and sobbed.
I would’ve felt bad for him—he looked so sad and pathetic—but he’d scared the crap out of me.
Noah stood there with clenched fists.Clearly he wanted to swing on Parker, but my ex just looked so pathetic all hunched over and sobbing into his knees.
What the hell had I ever seen in him?
Hyde, a huge hulking member of the band’s security, appeared and escorted Parker away.
“Shit.Are you okay?”Noah bent down in front of me, concern etched across his face.“Do you need a hug?”
“Will you think less of me if I say yes?”
Noah’s arms came around me just as I started to shake.I fought against the tears burning at my eyes.I wasn’t a crier.I wasn’t some weak chick who couldn’t hold her own.
I was vaguely aware of Noah’s arms around me and the comforting sound of his voice as he led me into the building.
I pushed weakly against his chest.“I’m okay.Really.I’m fine.”
I wasn’t okay.I needed a minute.
I needed privacy.I just needed to fall apart for a second, then I’d get it together.
Noah’s arms never budged from me.“You are fine.He’s an ass and won’t be anywhere near you ever again.I guarantee it.But I got you.You can lean on me for a minute.”
I gave in to his prodding and cried in his arms.
His hand ran comfortingly up and down my back.I couldn’t deny that it felt good to be held.It’d been so long since I’d had someone to lean on.
After a few minutes, once I was finally all cried out, I sighed and instead of pushing away from him, I squeezed my arms around his lean hips.“Thanks.”
“Anytime.”
Something pressed against the top of my head for a second then was gone.Tears burned at my eyes again as I realized that he’d kissed me.It was such a sweet, tender gesture.
“And you know it helped me to hold you.”
I pushed away from him slightly so I could look up at his face but still stay in his arms.“How’s that?”
“Kept me from earning a murder charge.”
I chuckled and rolled my eyes.
“But seriously, are you okay?Did he touch you?”
“No.”This time I did push out of his arms and took a step away.It was at this point that I realized we were standing in a ladies’ restroom.I walked over to a sink and took in my smeared mascara and red eyes.After grabbing a paper towel, I wetted it and dabbed under my eyes to repair the damage.“He just shouted stupid shit at me.Blamed me for not being able to write music.Apparently, him dumping me and stealing my songs was my fault.”
“Even that clueless asshole can see that he was stupid for letting you slip through his fingers.”
I snorted a laugh even as I wiped up my tears.“Yeah well, I’m not getting back with him.Or whatever his delusional mind wanted from me.”
“Clearly.You’re smarter than that.”
I dabbed a little more, then tossed the paper towel, and faced Noah.“All right.Let’s go to work.”
“Good try.You’re talking to the cops first.I bet Harper has them waiting in her office already.Come on.”
