“The fuck I am!”
Catalina giggles. “You’re literally quivering over there.”
Carter smirks. “Maverick, shut up.”
I can’t help but laugh. Layla’s laughing too, her hand resting on mine.
Three sharp knocks on my front door draw everyone’s attention away from the movie. Layla tenses next to me, gripping my hand.
“Layla!”
She grips my hand tighter, the color draining from her face.
“I know you’re in there! Open the fucking door!”
Maverick leaves the floor before the echo dies, the chip bowl spilling. Carter’s already up, telling Catalina to stay put.
I move toward the door with them. “Stay with Cat,” I tell Layla, my voice lower than I recognize. “Don’t move, baby.”
Swinging the door open, I feel cold night air hit my face, and there he is.
Brian stands on the porch, eyes wild, lips twisted in a sneer. His clothes are wrinkled, and his pupils are dilated.
“Well,” he spits, “there she is, hiding behind the burn-marked freak.”
His words hurt, but I don’t flinch.
Maverick steps forward, voice a growl. “You better start prayin’, man.”
Brian laughs. “Get the fuck out of my way!”
Carter’s hand shoots out, grabbing Maverick’s arm. “Don’t,” he warns, but it’s too late.
Maverick shoves him hard as he staggers back down the porch steps, gravel crunching under his boots. He catches himself, jaw clenched. “She’s mine!” he shouts. “She doesn’t get to leave me!”
He lunges toward the doorway with his hands outstretched. I catch him mid-step, my palm against his chest, the impact vibrating up my arm.
“Get your ass off my property,” I snarl.
He swings wildly as the hit ricochets off my shoulder.
I push him back again, this time with greater force. Maverick blocks his second charge and shoves him sideways into the porch railing.
“Enough!” Carter steps in, grabbing Brian by the collar and throwing him on the floor. “You’re done!”
Brian’s chest heaves, his breath ragged as he pushes himself to stand, wiping the dirt off his pants. “You think she wants you? Look at you!” he spits at me, his face twisted. “You hide those scars, right? You keep the lights off so she doesn’t flinch while you’re fucking her?”
Something inside me flashes hot, but I don’t move. My jaw locks, and every muscle screams to end it.
“Reed,” Carter says quietly, warning in his tone.
Brian’s voice drops to a snarl. “You think she loves you? She pities you.”
Maverick moves again, his fists clenching in Brian’s shirt as he slams him back against the siding, making the porch shake. “You don’t talk about my brother like that,” he growls.
Brian pushes at him, but Carter is already there, stepping between them, gripping Brian’s chin. “You’ve got two choices, fucker. You leave right now, or we call the sheriff and let him drag your bitch-ass out.”
For a long moment, Brian’s breath comes in short,trembling as he looks past us toward the living room, his eyes settling on Layla.
