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I feel Gavin’s finger under my chin. “Kat.”
Isn’t it remarkable how one word can speak volumes? My name—that single syllable, is filled with so much want, and regret, and hope. I know this because it’s what I feel whenever I speak his name. If I’m being honest, I only need to think about him and everything I’ve been repressing for years threatens to drown me with emotion.
“Hey, Teach, mind if I cut in?” I’m jolted out of my trance as Dylan speaks.
Gavin stiffens but then steps back and composes himself. “Of course not.” Before releasing me entirely, he leans into my ear and adds, “I’m not going anywhere. Come find me upstairs when you’re done.”
I nod in reply.
Dylan waits for Gavin to leave before he pulls me into him and snarls, “What the hell are you doing, Kitty? Why is he here?”
I clench my jaw. “I’m not discussing this with you, Dylan. He’s here because I invited him. That’s all you need to know.”
He grabs my arm and leads me down the hallway to the restrooms. “Don’t bullshit me, Kat. Why is he here after everything he did to you? Why in the hell would you want him back in your life?”
I cross my arms over my chest. “Dylan, don’t be so quick to pass judgment. There’s a lot you don’t know.”
“Well, enlighten me then.”
“Don’t you need to get back to your girlfriend? Where does she think you’re at right now?”
“She knows where I am! She knows that you’re acting like an idiot and I’m trying to prevent you from getting hurt!”
My expression softens but I keep my mouth shut. Mostly because I’m pissed that he called me an idiot.
He sighs. “Kat, this is not me being a jealous dick. I’m in love with Rae; you know that. She’s the best thing that ever happened to me. But you’re my closest friend so I hurt, when you hurt. I saw how you were after he left. I can’t watch you go through that again.”
I thread his fingers with mine. “Dylan, I know what I’m doing. I’m not jumping into anything with blinders on. The Gavin situation isn’t what we thought. He never got back together with his ex and he doesn’t have a kid.” I hold my hand up when he tries to interject. “I’ll explain the rest later but just give me some credit. Okay? Do you think you can do that?”
“Hey, guys, everything okay here?” I didn’t even see Breanna until she spoke.
I give Dylan a pointed look. “Well?”
“Fine,” he grumbles. “I’ll give you the benefit of the doubt. But I swear to God, if he hurts you, I will be on the first plane from Atlanta to beat his ass into a bloody pulp.”
I smile. Dylan may be an overprotective ass sometimes, but his intentions are good. Besides, his threats are pretty empty. I don’t think it went unnoticed that Gavin is even bigger now.
“
We’re good, Bree.” I step between the two of them and loop my arms into the crook of their elbows. “Shall we go back upstairs?”
“That’s probably a good idea,” Bree says with a guilty look on her face. “Before things get any worse.”
I scowl. “Breanna, what did you do?”
She waves her hand. “Oh, I didn’t do anything. But Gavin may have chatted Alex up and Alex may have mentioned where you two go to school.”
“Fuck,” I mutter.
“Aw, this is gonna be good!” Dylan smiles.
I glare at him. “Bite me.”
He leans down to peck me on the cheek. “Nah, Kitty. Been there, done that. You’re old news.”
My mouth gapes. “I can’t believe you just said that!”
He and Bree share a laugh. “Oh, c’mon, Kat. I’m just playin’ and you know it.”
