Page 16 of Sturdy & Dirty

Relief settled over me. I wanted as far away from Rex as possible.

Except he was like a flea you couldn’t get rid of. No, he was like an entire infestation of them.

“Holly?” he boomed as we moved past him.

I’d thought I was shielded by Austin’s body, but apparently not. And ignoring him didn’t help because he just called my name even louder.

There was no getting out of this without acknowledging him.

I tugged Austin to a stop, apologizing with my eyes before telling the hostess, “One moment, please.”

Dread slithering in my belly, I turned to face the loud-mouthed bastard.

“Hello, Rex.”

Be strong. Be brave. He has no power over you anymore, Holly Marie James. You’re not unkeepable. You are more than enough… for the right person.

Please let Austin be the right person.

Chapter Six

Austin

My steps faltered as we passed the asshole from the reservation line and he called out Holly’s name.

I already didn’t like him for the way he treated his girl. But I damn near wanted to hate him for how he called mine the same way you would call an unwanted dog.

Who the hell was this guy?

“One moment, please,” Holly told the hostess before turning to face the mysterious asshole.

I turned with her, getting a good look at him.

He was several inches shorter than me, muscular and fit. The guys at the gym might’ve called him a ‘meathead’.

His dark hair was slicked back with something very sticky looking, and his skin was the color of a fake tan.

By his sharky smile, I could tell he really thought a lot of himself.

But who was he to Holly?

My entire body buzzed with adrenaline as I watched her, my blooming flower, practically wilt before my eyes.

“Hello, Rex,” she said. And even though her voice was strong, I could feel her trembling beneath my palm where it rested at her back.

Rex. A name I wouldn’t be forgetting.

Who the hell was Rex, and why did Holly shrink in his presence?

His eyes slid down her body in a way that made me feel ill. Because that was when I knew…

This was someone she’d dated.

All I could think about was what he said to his lady.

Did he ever say things like that to Holly?

I wasn’t a violent man, but I’d teach him a fucking lesson if he needed one. And from where I was standing, it sure as hell looked like he did.

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