Page 9 of Xavier

He scoffs and glances her way. “What do you think, baby? Should I apologize?”

One glance her way and I know she’s too scared to answer honestly. I might be new to this town, but I don’t and won’t tolerate abuse.

“Hey, big shot, how about you just do what I say, and then call a cab home before the hurricane hits?”

He nods his head slightly and stands, and for a moment, I think he’s actually going to comply, but then one of his fists tightens on my shirt as his other fist makes contact with my cheek.

The woman scrambles to get off her stool and practically runs to the corner of the bar.

Without thinking of the potential consequences, I ball my hand into a fist and throw a punch to give him a matching bruise on his cheek.

He’s too drunk to land another punch on me, but I land one on his ribs and knee him in his balls for good measure.

Maybe next time he’ll think about disrespecting a woman.

Hudson pulls me away as the drunk guy slumps over the stool. “Xavier, I think you’ve proven your point.”

Anger rises inside of me as I think about the last asshole who disrespected a woman in front of me. Unlike last time, I’m going to make sure it never happens again.

“I don’t think I have. Not until he apologizes.”

The drunk man groans as his hands cup his balls. He looks toward the woman who is hiding in the corner, but doesn’t apologize.

“Apologize, asshole.” I demand.

His gaze makes its way to me. His eyes are full of hatred.

He reaches out to grab for me, but I move out of the way of his reach.

The all too familiar blue and red flashing lights travel through the glass windows as several police cars pull into the parking lot.

I lean down closer to the drunk man and whisper, “I guess you can count your lucky stars that the police are here. But one way or another, I intend to get that apology from you.”

I stand up and fix my ripped shirt as best as I can while Hudson chuckles behind me.

“Welcome to small town living, X. Where news travels fast and gossip travels faster.”

The police bound through the front door with their hands on their weapons.

The biggest police officer looks from me to the drunk guy still clenching his balls and says, “Let’s see some IDs, fellas.”

This isn’t the way I wanted to start my new life, and it’s definitely not what I was told to do in any shape or form.

The only thing I can do is hope I don’t have to spend the hurricane in jail.

Chapter Three

BRIANNA

I glance around the tiny doctor’s office as I wait for the nurse to come back.

I’m nervous. Like really nervous.

My palms are sweaty, my heart is racing, and all I can do is fixate on the what ifs.

What if Austin gave me something?

What if word gets out that I have an STD?

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