Page 46 of Hate To Love You

Patrick Samuelson

Fuck off, Howard.

Holland Monroe

Be home in ten.

Also, fuck off, Howard.

Mason Howard

You guys always gang up on me.

Holland Monroe

That’s because you’re an idiot

Me

Can you guys shut the fuck up and get here already?

Mason Howard

Aye aye, Captain.

Patrick Samuelson

Pulling in now.

Holland Monroe

Be there soon.

Tossing my phone on the coffee table, I take a deep, calming breath as I try to talk myself down and think logically. Except, thinking logically doesn’t seem to be in the cards for me right now.

My nerve endings feel like they’re on fire, my heart is racing, and my whole body is shaking with anger and adrenaline. I want to pound someone’s face in, that face being Ashton’s for fucking with my brother and Gwen.

That’s why I need the guys here. They’ll be able to see the situation from the outside and give me rational advice. Because if I acted on my instinct right now, Ashton would probably be in a hospital, and I’d be in jail.

Logan made me promise to not do anything stupid when it comes to Ashton. He told me it would just make things worse, which is kind of like what Gwen told me. Why won’t they let me help them?

Well, I don’t care. I’m going to do what I see fit, and right now, beating Ashton Davis to a pulp seems pretty fit. It’s not like he doesn’t deserve it. I’m sure he’s tried to force himself on more than half the girls at Ellington. The thought of that has me grinding my teeth and clenching my fists.

There is no way I’m letting him get away with the shit he’s done. I don’t care what Gwen thinks, I don’t care what Logan says, Ashton Davis needs to learn a fucking lesson, and I’ll gladly be the one to teach him.

Gwen thinks she can take care of him herself. I know she’s strong, I know she can handle herself, that I’ve seen first-hand. But she can’t stop Davis from pursuing her. But I sure as hell can.

I hear the front door open and shut, followed by the sound of three sets of footsteps climbing the stairs. Mason, Pat, and Holland stroll into the living room looking ready for business as usual.

Immediately, Pat and Holland meet me in the living room, Pat taking a seat next to me while Holland takes the corner chair. Mason heads to the fridge and grabs a bottle of water for each of us, handing them to us before taking his seat in the chair opposite Holland.

They look at me, waiting to hear what’s going on. I only called the three of them for an Elite meeting, which is unusual and technically not allowed, but the other guys don’t need to get involved in this, and I don’t trust them as much as I do Holland, Mason, and Patrick. I know they’ll get behind me, minimal questions asked.

I lean over, resting my elbows on my knees as my eyes wander to each of them.

“We have a fucking problem,” I seethe. The guys exchange a quick look of confusion and then focus their attention back on me.

“What’s going on?” Pat asks, always the one to get to the point.

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