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She let out a relieved breath as she turned her attention toward Pike, her brother’s best friend. His jaw, peppered with dark stubble, tensed as he flicked his green eyes between her and Ted. She gave Pike a pleading look, hoping he could read her.
“Fine,” Ted said tightly. “My date and I were just chatting.” Pike’s brows lifted.
“Date?” He turned his attention to Abbie, and she subtly shook her head.
No, Ted wasn’t her date. And yes, she wanted to throw up just thinking about it.
“Funny,” Pike mused, folding his arms over his massive chest. He stepped his feet apart, and to anyone else, that stance would’ve looked like him getting comfortable. But to her, knowing he was an ex-Marine and current martial arts instructor, she could see the panther ready to pounce. “I don’t recall Abbie having a date.” His dark brows lifted as he stared at Ted, waiting for a reasonable excuse.
“She does,” Ted sneered. “If you’ll excuse us?—”
“I won’t.” Pike stepped forward. “Come on, guy. Let’s not make a scene. I’d hate to knock you on your ass in front of all these fancy people.” His tone was light, almost playful, but Abbie could see the promise of death in his eyes.
Ted pushed away from her and straightened to his full height. She nearly laughed. He looked so ridiculous next to massive Pike. Next to him, Ted looked like a wet noodle.
Where Pike was broad and muscular, his suit jacket looking like it was about to bust at any moment, Ted was all lanky, thin limbs. It was ridiculous to think he could ever take Pike in a fight. It was even more ridiculous to watch Ted buck up to him like he even stood a chance.
“Abbie.” Pike held his hand out, his gaze still on Ted’s, as she slid her hand into his. He didn’t give her time to think as he yanked her behind him.
By now, a few people had sensed the tension and were watching the show unfold. She wanted to die. If her mother caught wind there was a fight about to happen, she’d lose it. And if she found out the fight was about her, her mother would send her into an early grave.
She needed to make the situation better. She needed them to both just calm down.
“I feel sick,” she blurted, and both men turned their attention to her. Ted’s lip curled in disgust as he stared at her.
“Sick?” he repeated. “Are you contagious?”
“Probably.” He shuffled a step back, his eyes flicking between her and Pike. He just grinned as Ted moved another step away.
“I can’t get sick,” he said, shaking his head. She rested her hand on her tummy, widening her eyes, hoping she looked like she was about to puke. She must’ve, because Ted hurried away, forgetting about Pike and his threats.
As soon as Ted was out of earshot, she dropped her hand, her shoulders dropping with it. A long breath left her as she glanced at Pike, giving him a grateful look.
“Thanks,” she breathed. “He was a total creep.” Pike nodded, looking after where Ted had disappeared.
“Should follow him, teach him a lesson,” he grunted. She rested her hand on his strong forearm, and his gaze snapped down to her.
“Thanks, Pike.”
He loosened a long breath, his full lips tipping up in the corner. “Of course, kiddo.” She scrunched her nose at him.
“I’m not a kid,” she mumbled, and his grin widened.
“Oh, you’ll always be a kid to me.” Patting her hand, he guided her closer and led her through the party toward the kitchen. She chewed on her lower lip as she glanced around, worried her mother would pop up out of nowhere.
“I should?—”
“Relax,” Pike said softly. “Let me get you a fresh drink, then you can go back to standing in the corner looking ready to bolt at any second.” Her face flushed as she nodded.
“It was that obvious?” she whispered. Shoot. Her mother wouldnotbe happy with her. Pike sent her a sympathetic look as he shoved the swinging kitchen door open.
Servers rushed past them as they refilled trays with hors d'oeuvres before returning to the party. Abbie was sure they were under strict orders to have a constant flow of food, and if they failed they’d have to deal with her mother’s wrath.
“Just to me,” Pike said as he gently shoved her onto a barstool. She felt guilty for taking up space and making the server’s lives harder, but they didn’t seem to notice. “But I know you better than most.”
“Think Mom noticed?”
His jaw tensed, and she knew the truth was yes, she’d noticed. And Abbie would probably hear about it in the future. Forever.
