“Are you sure?” The need to comfort Gage in this moment is overwhelming, but I hold back. I glance down at my arm and am surprised when I see that I’m not shaking. A second ago it felt like my entire body was buzzing with fury and adrenaline.
He starts to smile. “I’m sure. Thank you for what you did.”
“You don’t have to thank me. They crossed the line. I’m so sorry they did that to you.”
He shrugs before grabbing his champagne glass and taking a long sip.
“Wait, does that happen to you a lot?” I ask before sitting back down.
“Not a lot. Most of the time if I get recognized, people are cool about it. Sometimes they ask for a selfie, which I’m cool with. But every once in a while, I get people like them who think that just because I do sexy stuff on TikTok, that entitles them to my time or my body.”
My stomach churns. “That is so messed up.”
“It is what it is.”
“It’s not, Gage. It is never, ever okay for anyone to touch you without your permission or make rude comments about your body.”
He stares at me for a long second, almost like he needs the extra time to fully soak in my words.
When he blinks, he looks down at the bar top. “I guess I never thought of it that way. I mean, it definitely makes me uncomfortable when people treat me like that. But people kind of dismiss it if you’re a guy. Like, they think it’s impossible that a guy wouldn’t like to be felt up by an attractive woman.”
“That’s ridiculous. Men can be groped and sexually harassed. Anyone can. It doesn’t matter your gender.”
That dazed look in his eyes starts to dissipate. He nods. “You’re right.”
For a minute we quietly sip our champagne and eat the garlic bread.
“You were a fucking beast, by the way,” he says. “It was awesome to watch.”
I look up at him. “Really? I was afraid you’d think I was a psycho for going off like that.”
“Not even close.” He smiles and drains the last of his drink. He checks the time on his phone and shows me. “We should get you home.”
Chapter15
Gage
Iwalk in the direction of Sweet Cheeks and Becca’s apartment building in a daze.
Holy shit.
Seeing Becca like that, all pissed on my behalf and standing up for me, blew me away. It’s not that I thought she was meek or anything like that. Clearly, she’s a strong person who’s been through a lot, what with her breakup and her douchebag ex stealing from her. And I’ve seen her work hard and hustle day after day. But to see her literally stand up for me and cuss out those women was incredible.
And pretty fucking hot, if I’m being honest.
I set aside that thought and focus on how good it felt to know that Becca had my back, how she was willing to shed her sweet personality and turn into a beast to defend me. And then for her to check on me, comfort me, and go out of her way to make sure that I felt safe and validated…
I glance over at her as she walks beside me. She offers that shy, sweet smile that’s become my favorite of hers.
My stomach does that flip thing again. Becca is amazing. I mean, I’ve thought that about her since the day I met her. But she’s a truly good person who isn’t afraid to stand up for what’s right. That’s something I don’t see often—not on social media and definitely not in a world of people willing to screw others over to get ahead.
“Hey, um, I don’t have to head back to my apartment just yet,” Becca says.
“I thought you didn’t want to stay out too late.”
“I changed my mind.”
She smiles, the look in her eyes bright and eager, like she doesn’t want to end the night just yet.
