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I hold up my hands, trying to defuse the situation. “Okay, just give me some time to explain.”
“Explain what?” Sophie snaps. “I saw you two making out in the kitchen, and according to Mads, it wasn’t the first time either.”
“Dude, not cool…” Mason says, and I release a frustrated breath.
“I was aware the moment I brought Victoria here, Maddie would be pissed. I didn’t know how to tell her or any of you, so I just ripped off the Band-Aid at Lennon’s get-together. That kiss was closure, a final goodbye to any hope she had of a relationship with me. It was selfish, but I’m selfless enough to realize Maddie deserves better than me. So I’ve continuously pushed her away so she could find a good man to be with, but the one she’s with right now—he’s not any of those things. He’ll hurt her more than I ever did.”
“Don’t change the damn subject.” Sophie scowls. “You’re jealous, but you caused this. You strung her along and then married someone else.” She takes another step toward me, but Mason grabs her waist and holds her to his chest.
“Baby…” he murmurs, trying to calm her down.
“Kick his ass, Mason,” she demands between gritted teeth. “He’s a two-timing manwhore who’s played with Maddie’s emotions and needs to be punched in the junk for it.”
If it wasn’t my balls she was threatening, I’d laugh at how angry she is, but I hold back so I don’t piss her off further.
“I’m not going to punch him, Soph. This fight is between him and Maddie, not you or me,” he tells her, but her rage stays intact.
“Fine, I’ll call Hunter and have him do it since you won’t. He’s my brother and will listen to me,” she states matter-of-factly and reaches for her phone.
I scoff with a chuckle, making Sophie more agitated. “You think I won’t?” She pulls it from her pocket, but Mason quickly grabs it.
“Hunter isn’t gonna come over to kick his ass for you,” Mason says.
“What the hell is this, a bros before hoes situation?” Sophie glares at Mason, and I hate that he’s getting her wrath because of me.
“It’s not any sort of situation,” I intervene. “I shouldn’t have kissed her, but it’s over now. I’m with Victoria, and Maddie’s off to date whoever she wants.” I shrug, giving up the fight, though I’m still frustrated she went out with Blake.
Sophie’s breaths even, her eyes slightly soften, and I don’t think she’ll put a hit out on me anymore. Or at least I hope. “This makes no sense, Liam. The traveling, the fancy car, the high-maintenance wife. I’m gonna figure this out.”
“There’s nothing to figure out, but okay,” I say casually, hoping she doesn’t hear the annoyance in my voice. I want to demand that she back off, to let me protect them and Maddie, and to drop her accusations. This is my problem to deal with, and I don’t want any of them dragged into it. Everyone needs to accept the lie and move on.
Mason leads Sophie back to the kitchen, where they cook and hang out for an hour. I stay planted on the couch and decide to order some food. After it arrives, I eat, then sit and wait. Once Maddie’s home, and she’s safe and sound, then I’ll go to bed. I’m tempted to text her, but I know she’ll either reply with a smartass comment or ignore it completely. I have no claims when it comes to her, and she’ll never understand why I’m being protective. Hours pass and I grow antsy, but the moment a car door closes outside, I jump to my feet to see if it’s them.
I don’t care what she says, keeping her safe will always be my priority. Whether it be from the O’Learys or this douchebag Blake, I care too much about her to just walk away so easily, even if that’s what she wants.
Twisting the knob, I swing open the heavy wood just as they make it to the porch. I see red when he asks to kiss her good night.
Not on my goddamn watch.
“Not a fucking chance,” I growl. If he touches her, I won’t hesitate to put my fist in his face. “Night’s over.”
“Can I help you?” Maddie seethes. As she inhales a sharp breath, her nostrils flare with outrage. Blake should be well aware I could kick his ass, and I will. Instead of intervening in our fight, the brave fucker leans in, then presses his lips against her cheek before saying good night and walks back to his car. We both watch as he gets in and drives away, but the second he’s out of view, Maddie stomps her heels toward me with a crazed expression.
“What the fuck is wrong with you?” She pushes her palms against my chest, but I stay firm on my feet. “Do you get off on ruining my life or something?”
