“No,” I say again. “I mean it. No.”
Then—
Jake is gone.
One second he’s on me, the next he’s hitting the gravel with a sound that makes the whole parking lot go quiet.
Cole’s fist is still clenched.
“What the fuck?” I gasp, staring at him. “Cole, what are you doing?”
“You told him no,” Cole says, voice low and dangerous. “He didn’t listen, so he got hit.”
He doesn’t touch me. He doesn’t even step closer.
“I know I did,” I snap. My hands are shaking. “And I didn’t need you to defend me. I’m not your property.”
I turn away from him, my chest tight, adrenaline crashing hard. I’m furious and shaken. Why is he protecting me if he can’t even stand me?
Maggie comes running out of the bar, eyes wide. “Oh come on, man. This was supposed to be a fun night. Why are you punching people?”
“Layla said no, he kept pushing so he got hit.” Cole says again, like that’s the only explanation that matters.
“Goddammit, Cole,” Maggie mutters.
I look at him then. Really look at him. Everyone’s staring. The parking lot feels too small. Phones out. Waiting.
“Just take me back to the house,” I say quietly. “Please.”
Maggie steps closer. “Do you want me to come with you?”
“No,” I say, forcing a tired smile. “You have fun, girl. I’m just… I’m done for the night.”
She nods, reading everything I’m not saying.
I walk toward Cole’s truck without another word, climb in, and slam the door shut harder than I needed to.
Chapter 11
Right in the Ribs
Cole
I can see Layla sitting inside my truck before I even reach it. She’s stiff, arms crossed tight over her chest, staring straight ahead like she’s holding herself together by pure will. She looks wrecked. Pissed. Shaken.
And yeah, I ruined her night.
Jake Fritz. Fucking scumbag. I would’ve never let that happen. Not like that. The way his hands were on her, the way he pushed her up against the truck, the way she said no and he didn’t listen — I want to put my hands around his throat and squeeze until he stops breathing. He’s lucky I didn’t do worse.
“She wanted it, bro,” Jake spits as he stumbles away, holding his jaw.
I take a step toward him before I even think about it.
Maggie grabs my arm hard. “Stop it!” she screams. “Enough!”
“What the hell is wrong with you, Cole?” she snaps, shoving me back. “I was trying to show Layla a good time—”
I cut her off. “By letting her go with Jake Fritz?” I bark. “He’s a fucking psychopath, Maggie. You know how he is.”
