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She was so momentarily taken aback by West not only taking charge, but making it a “we” situation—she’d never been part of a “we” before, and she couldn’t deny it felt pretty damn nice—that she didn’t protest as he tugged her toward her destiny. This was her situation to handle. Her mess to clean up. Yet she stood there like the meek little woman as West charged down the stairs and into the overcast morning.
“Mal,” West said sharply, stepping between the two angry men. Moving Mal was like displacing a mountain, and it took West more than a few tries to get the huge bald dude to back up.
Mal shot Lauren a look of disgust and lifted his hands in the air. “Not my problem. I’m outta here.”
“Lauren. There you are.” Ethan started to shove past West, only to get pushed against the side of the bus. “Get your hands off me.”
Lauren yelped and rushed forward. “No. Don’t. He doesn’t mean to cause any trouble.”
“Yes, I damn well do. A young girl like you, alone on a bus of dirty, disgusting—”
“Watch who you call disgusting, nerd boy.” Molly sailed off the bus, her flawless blond curls rippling on the breeze.
Ethan went still. Probably swallowed his tongue too.
“I was trying to get the rest of my beauty sleep when I heard you yelling about being Professor Ethan Haywood, la-dee-da.” She stepped closer to Ethan and West, causing West to step back from merely an icy glance. “I don’t like being awakened early. It affects my voice.”
“I—I’m sorry. You have to understand, Lauren is my…”
“Friend, isn’t it? At least that’s what I gathered from all the shouting before Denver went to summon security. Who should be back here in oh, two minutes if I don’t call them off. Luckily, we have our own bus brute in Malachi so we don’t need to have bodyguards all over.” She poked Ethan in the chest with one long red nail. “Hmm, not as soft as I thought. Do you work out?”
“Professor doesn’t mean nerd, and it definitely doesn’t mean soft.” The look he gave Molly faintly smoked.
Lauren exchanged glances with West. Okay then. Detour ahead.
“And yes, I work out. Bench two-twenty if you must know. What about you, pop princess?”
“What I do is irrelevant. You’re interrupting my routine. I don’t like it.”
Ethan glanced at Molly for a long, humming moment before shifting his gaze to Lauren. “Are you okay?” he asked quietly, switching his focus to West. “Did he hurt you?”
“No, no, of course not. He’s been a perfect gentleman.” Lauren really hoped she wasn’t blushing. She’d been the one to push him, time and again. “I’m perfectly fine. I shouldn’t have made you worry though. I’m so sorry.” She stepped closer and Molly melted away as if she’d never been between them.
Though she had been. She’d diffused the situation between them as if she was an expert. Even West had backed down from her.
Now she was going back on the bus as if she’d never interrupted.
“You don’t have to lie to me. If you want to get out of here, we can go. I won’t tell your parents.” Ethan paused, his gaze dropping to her shirt. “What is this? What are you wearing?” He touched her shoulder and West stepped forward, his presence silent but deadly.
Knowing he wouldn’t hesitate to strike for her was a crazy, heady thought.
“She’s wearing my shirt,” West said, letting the meaning hang in the air until she ducked her head and Ethan cleared his throat.
“I see. So I really do have no place here. My apologies,” he said stiffly, sidestepping Lauren’s hand as she reached for him.
“Don’t be like that. You don’t understand. It’s not what you’re thinking. Or maybe it is. All I know is that I’m good. I’m finally good,” she said, unable to hold back the plea in her tone when Ethan turned his familiar dark blue eyes her way.
She loved those eyes. Loved him. He’d been her friend and protector for so long, and they rarely fought.
Fighting over the insane bit of happiness she’d stolen seemed so wrong.
“You’re in over your head. You’re so innocent and sweet. So naive. He’s going to hurt you. But I see I may already be too late.” He gave her a thin smile she’d never seen before. “But don’t worry. I’ll still help you pick up the pieces.”
“You’ll help her pick them up so you can get a piece yourself.”
Lauren glanced at West, shocked. “What? No. It’s not like that.”
“Oh really? Look at that guy, Lo. He’s losing his shit at the idea I’ve touched you.”
