This is all my fault. I should have come alone. Griffin hates Tobias more than I really knew, and now?—
“Do you remember when we were in Lovers,” Tobias asks, catching me off guard, “and you said I could win in a fight against Griffin?”
“Yes?”
Where is he going with this?
“That counts, right? I mean, he left us to get your things because he was scared of me, right?”
I let out a laugh. Only he would try to take a moment that was getting me worked up and turn it into something to make me laugh before my mind could get carried away.
“Yeah, that’s totally why.”
“I thought so too.”
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
TOBIAS
My face hurts.
Bad.
However, had anyone been in Natalie's car on the way back to my house, they would never have known. I saw the way her body shook and the way her gaze glazed over as she stared at nothing. Natalie was quickly getting agitated and was about to blame herself. I couldn't let that happen.
Griffin fucked up. Not her.
So, if anyone asks, I’m fine, and it’s not that bad.
But there is a chance I might cry a little when I’m alone later.
I’ll probably keep that to myself, though.
I sit on the couch and blow out a breath, listening to her move around the kitchen. I lean my head back, resting it on the sofa.
Despite the pain, it felt good to punch that asshole.
I’m not one to enforce violence, but he earned it.
And now, Natalie is officially done with him and never has to see him again.
“Okay, do you want it wrapped in a paper towel or not?”
I look up just as Natalie rushes out of the kitchen with a sealed bag of ice. She ran inside while I was unloading the suitcases, even though she argued with me about doing anything other than sitting.
I wince when she tries to place it on my nose and then take it from her.
“I told you I was fine.”
“I can see it swelling. You should have let me put ice on it while we were there.”
“We had things to do, and again, I’m fine.”
I didn’t want Natalie to have to see Griffin again, and I didn’t want to risk punching him a second time.
“So, this doesn't hurt,” she says, then jams her finger into the spot between my eyes.
“Ouch! Fuck yeah, that hurts, but I’m still fine.” I laugh, placing the ice against my eyes and nose as she stands in front of me with her arms folded and a scowl on her face.
