“We spent last weekend moving them in,” I tell Sam. “I’ve never seen Maverick and Bella so happy.”
“I knew something was going on between those two. The way they looked at each other at the wedding, there was no doubt some serious attraction was going on. I got hot just being in the same room as them.” Frankie laughs, taking a sip of his drink.
“I must have been in my own little world, or maybe all the tequila shots dulled my brain,” I laugh. “Nothing could have surprised me more than seeing Bella walk out of my brother’s bedroom with nothing but a sweatshirt on. I’m really happy for them, though. They are so in love, and it’s obvious how meant to be they are.”
“Are you still taking Maverick’s apartment? Your lease is up soon, right?” Sam stirs her drink with a straw and looks at me.
“Both our leases are up at the end of the month. I’ve already talked to management, and they are fine with me switching. There’s no reason to keep a three-bedroom, and his bedroom and bathroom are way bigger than mine. That stand-alone tub and shower are worth it alone. It will be fun redecorating and putting my touch on things. Maverick and Bella wanted to pick out their furniture together and start new, so I’m keeping most of the stuff from our apartment.”
“Let me know if you need any help moving, and Thomas and I will be there.”
“Thanks, Frankie. Between Noah, Maverick, and our dads, I think I’ll be good, but I will definitely reach out if I need the extra help.”
Sam and Frankie start talking again about the new school year coming up, and I can’t help but glance around to try and get a glimpse of the hot stranger in the hallway one more time. Disappointment flows through me when I don’t see him anywhere. He must have left right after I jumped him in the hallway, probably trying to escape from thecrazy girlwhograbbed him. I rub the spot on my arm where I can still feel his searing touch.
We say goodbye an hour later, and I watch them walk to their cars and leave before I make my way over to my black Mustang. I bought her on the day I got my first teaching job to celebrate. I’ve always loved sleek, fast cars and the thrill of speed. There’s something about a powerful engine under me that really gets me going.
“Soph,” I hear Nathan’s voice behind me and stop in my tracks. Was he out here this whole time waiting for me to leave? Chills run down my spine as I slowly turn around.
“What do you want, Nathan? I think I’ve made it perfectly clear that I’m not interested.” I grip my keys in my hand, grateful that Maverick insisted I add mace to my keychain.
“I just want to talk. I think we got off to a bad start, and I want to start over.” He takes a step my way, and I back up.
“We went on one date, Nathan. I told you that night that I don’t see it going anywhere. I think you need to go and accept the fact that I don’t want to see you anymore.”
“Who was the guy in the hallway? It’s only been a month since our date. Surely, you didn’t replace me already. I know if you gave me another chance, I could change your mind. I know there’s something between us. I can feel it.” He steps closer and grabs my arms in a firm grip.
This guy is delusional. Every instinct of mine is saying there is no reasoning with him. I need to leave and get the hell out of here. “Get your hands off of me, Nathan, or I swear to God, you’ll regret it.” I’m seconds away from using my mace on him when I hear a deep voice come up behind me.
“You heard her. Get your fucking hands off of her. Now.” I whip my head around, and steel-grey eyes meet mine briefly before turning deadly and focusing on Nathan before me.
“Who are you?” He releases me and looks pissed at thestranger next to me. “I’m trying to have a conversation here that doesn’t involve you.” Nathan has some balls. I’ll give him that. He’s built and can probably hold his own in a fight, but he’s nowhere near as strong as the guy whose body heat I can feel inches away from me. His anger is thick in the air, making it hard for me to breathe, or maybe it’s just him whenever he’s near me.
“I’m her boyfriend, so that makes me involved. She said she’s not interested, and last time I checked, when a girl says no, it means fucking no.”
“Boyfriend?” Nathan turns his brown eyes to mine, confusion and hurt, battling a war inside him. “So, you did move on already?”
“There was nothing to move on from. We had one date, Nathan. I think you need to leave now.” My heart is racing in my chest. Boyfriend? I feel him place his arm around my waist, bringing me to his chest. I resist the urge to bury my face in his shirt and breathe him in. Nathan looks between the two of us, clearly upset and disgusted by what he sees.
“I think you need to listen to my girl and leave.” Nathan shakes his head and turns to go. “AndNathan?” His voice is low, and there is no mistaking the warning when he says his name. “If I ever see you around her again or hear that you’ve tried to contact her, I won’t be so nice next time.” Nathan fists his hand at his sides and stares at the man beside me. I hold my breath and pray he has the brains to walk away. He must see the threat in the guy beside me because he finally breaks eye contact and turns to walk away, not even giving me a second look.
I let out a shaky breath and untangle myself from his arms. I need a clear head to think, and I can’t do it when he’s so near. “I…thank you,” I say, looking anywhere but at him. “How did you…? I thought you had left an hour ago…?” Questions filter out, but I get no answers. I’m met with silence and can feel his eyes on me. I slowly raise my eyes to his, expecting pity or compassion, but all I’m met with is fury in his steel eyes.
“Are you….are you mad at me?” I blink, unable to process what I’m seeing. His chest is heaving, and his hands are clenched at his sides.
“Mad is an understatement. I’m fucking furious with you.”
Chapter Two
Travis
Her green eyesgo wide as I try to reign in my anger. If I hadn’t been here, there is no telling what that asshole could have tried. She was right when she said I left an hour ago, but I didn’t get very far before my gut had me turning around and waiting for her to make sure she got home safe.
I allow myself two nights out of the month to be someone else, away from all my responsibilities. To just be a normal guy, finding a girl for the night to bury myself inside of to satisfy my needs. Instead, I’m standing here playingboyfriendand will be going home alone tonight. Thoughts of taking her back to my place enter my mind, but I quickly dismiss the idea. She’s trouble…I can feel it, and I don’t need any more trouble in my life.
“Why are you furious with me?” Her full pink lips capture my attention as she asks me a question. I start to stir in my pants as I remember how good they felt against mine. Growling, I rake my fingers through my hair and start to pace.
“Do you have any idea the danger you put yourself in tonight? You knew he was here earlier, yet you let your friendsleave without having them walk to your car. If I hadn’t been here, there’s no telling what he could have done.”
