Fortunately, Tyler is good humored about his lack of dancing skills but he doesn’t stop.
“Seriously, though. How are you related to Austin James, yet have no rhythm? And Cassie, too! I heard her at karaoke once. Did the dancing gene hop right over you?”
This makes Tyler laugh. Then he shrugs, grabbing my hand to twirl me around. A few more songs play but eventually we stop to grab drinks from the bar.
Some co-workers walk up to chat, and Tyler steps over to say hello to Henry. I’m just wrapping up my conversations when Principal Stanback eases up beside me, too close for comfort.
“You look beautiful tonight, Jo.”
Not wanting to make a scene in front of my colleagues, I pretend I don’t hear him.
But because he can’t take a hint, he keeps on running his mouth. Craning his neck around to glance to my backside, he makes a strained sound that has my blood boiling. “That ass, though. I bet you know exactly what you’re doing in that tight little dress.” Either he thinks I’m here alone, or he hasn’t yet seen Tyler, because he invades my space, the faint smell of alcohol on his breath. “You thought about my offer?” he murmurs into my ear.
I only need one guess to know the man who is making Jo’s back go ramrod straight, her eyes icing over, flashing with barely constrained fury.
A possessive urge rips through me, and I politely excuse myself from the conversation with Henry, moving toward her in long, purposeful strides. The moment I’m beside her, I slide an arm around her waist, anchoring her to me. Her body melts into mine, but she’s trembling against me.
The principal meets my eyes, first with surprise that quickly turns smarmy and calculating, but I match it stare for stare. My shoulders alone make two of this guy, and he takes two steps back.
“Don’t come anywhere near her again,” I growl. “Don’t talk to her, don’t even look her way. If I so much as hear that you’ve breathed the same air as her, you’ll regret it. Do you hear me?”
His eyes dart from me to Jo. “Man, I don’t know what you’re talking about. I was just talking to her. Right, Josie?”
He looks at Jo who keeps her eyes trained on her feet. A low growl starts in my chest, my vision going scarlet.
“What did I just say about not talking to her?”
Then I dip down, my mouth to Jo’s ear. “Do you want to stay? Or I can take you home.”
She swallows hard and whispers, “Home.”
My hand never leaves her waist as Jo allows me to guide her to the gym exit.
“You alright?” I ask, once we’re on the road.
Jo hums, tilting her head side to side and we fall silent. The air feels strained and I honestly can’t tell if she’s mad that I stepped in, or if it’s due to her anger with the principal. Whatever it is, the tension is taut as a bowstring.
We reach her house in silence, and together we head up her walkway. Her fingers fumble with her key, trying to unlock her front door, so I take the keys and turn the lock. Still, without a word, we both enter and remove our shoes. Jo stands stock-still, her back to me.
“Jo, sweetheart,” I say quietly. “Was I out of line? I know you can handle yourself, but when I saw him beside you, something in me snapped.”
Finally, Jo turns, her eyes brimming with unshed tears.
“No one has ever done something like that for me. I’m the defender, I’m the one who jumps in to fight whatever battle there is. That’s what I’m known for. But someone stepping in for me is a first.” She pauses, shaking her head. “And I don’t know what to do with everything I’m feeling right now.”
Jo’s hands are balled into fists at her side, her chest heaving. But I don’t think it’s anger that’s got her so worked up. No, I think it’s something else entirely.
“You still don’t get it, do you?” I ask, taking a step closer. “You will never have to be that person unless you want to. Not with me around.” I pause, letting the words settle before I speak. “I’ll fight whatever battle right alongside you, or in your place.”
Her answering response is barely above a whisper. “I’m still so scared.”
I take another step closer. “Don’t be,” I say, my voice pitched low. “I’m here. Let yourself trust that.”
We’re so close my chest brushes hers. And without considering what I’m doing I draw her to me.
“There’s something we didn’t get to do tonight.”
I loop one arm around Jo’s waist and with the other I thread my fingers with hers, bringing them to rest on my chest.
