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I walked away from that relationship with my head stuck on the spin cycle. It’s like I couldn’t comprehend how someone could be so giving with one hand while tearing you down so effortlessly with the other.
I drag in a deep breath and look up at Austin. “That’s him.”
He laughs. “That’s the asshole? The one that hurt you?”
“Stop. I’m fine.”
“He hurt you, though.” Austin’s tone has changed from cool and calm to something more feral. It’s like I can hear his blood crackling beneath his skin.
“It was months ago. I’m okay,” I repeat, squeezing his hand in mine. I’m glad Austin is here to stand next to me, but I don’t need him to protect me from Alec. That relationship is over.
“Well, if it isn’t my new sister and her… what is this? Is he some fake fiancé?” Alec laughs as he glances toward the girl on his arm. She’s pretty with short brown hair and dark eyes. “You’re seeing what I’m seeing right?”
My stomach drops. “What’s your problem? We’re at a wedding.”
Alec laughs. “You don’t give a shit about this wedding and neither do I. You told me that months ago. Why show up today with a bunch of fucking lies.” He stares Austin up and down. “Even I can see how out of your league this guy is. He’s most certainly not with you.” I laugh under my breath. I don’t think he realized where he just put himself on that scale.
I glance up toward Austin. His face is dark red, and his fists are balled at his side. If steam could actually roll out of his ears, he’d be whistling for all to hear.
I turn toward him, snapping my fingers to get his attention. “Hey, we’re good. Are you okay?”
He doesn’t answer. He’s focused on Alec like a missile set to explode on impact.
This would be the wrong time for an incident. Everyone is settling into their seats for the wedding, the band is playing, and it’s quieted down. We’d be center stage.
Alec laughs and mocks me, snapping his fingers in Austin’s face.
Austin doesn’t move, and I’m not sure what to do. I see he’s teetering on the edge of losing it, but I’m not sure Alec is as perceptive because he starts to laugh.
“What the fuck is wrong with your boyfriend? Did you tell him your stupid fucking pet spa idea too, and now he’s lost in how dumb it is?”
This is the push Austin needs, and before I can blink, his fist is flying into Alec’s jaw over and over again.
“You like to push women around? You piece of fuckin’ shit! You like to talk like that? Come on, fight! Stand the fuck up and fight me like a fuckin’ man!”
This is wrong. Really, fucking wrong. The crowd is silent, the band has stopped playing, and I swear even the birds have stopped chirping.
I shouldn’t be turned on by this. It’s violent and wrong. But watching Austin defend me like this, has every nerve in my body building into an uncontrollable ache.
Now I know I need therapy.
Apparently, it doesn’t have the same effect on my mother who’s storming from her bridal suite with the rage of a thousand tiny trolls.
I yank on Austin’s shirt. “We should go. They have money. They’ll fight this.”
Austin glares at me. His shirt has unbuttoned, his fist is bruised, and his nice jeans have dirt and blood on them.
I want this man to bend me over right now and give me babies.
He slides his hand in mine and grins. “You ready to do some cowboy shit?”
I smile and kick off my heels as he puts his hat on my head, and we run out the door.
Chapter Six
Austin
It’s been a while since I punched a man in the jaw. Even longer since the man was twenty years younger than me. Guess that means I still got it.
