Page 107 of Only With You

Sucking in a sharp breath, I stare down at her. “Don’t fucking talk about her. I won’t repeat myself.”

Her smile only grows. “Or else what? I can say whatever I want.”

I was trying to be the bigger person, but I’m over her bullshit and she’s pissed me off.

“You’re right, you can, and I can, too.” I nod and look at Leah. “Ask Nikki what she was doing the day you waited for her to help you move. You waited, what, three hours, right?”

Leah was also staying at the apartment complex that burned down a few months ago.

Panic sets on Nikki’s features and I swear the colour drains from her face, but I’m not sure since it’s dim in here, nor do I care.

“I-I-had car problems.” Nikki stumbles over her words and stares at me, begging not to say more.

I don’t, but before I walk away and search for Julianna, I look at her one last time. “Keep Julianna out of your goddamn mouth.”

It was never my story to tell, but she pissed me off, but it’s not like she did a good job about keeping it a secret. There are videos and pictures. I’m not sure how Leah doesn’t know that her best friend fucked her brother and the guy she’s talking to at the same time, but I don’t care. It’s not my problem.

By the time I make it down to the bar, no one but Malik and Jayden are there, talking and laughing.

“Hey! About time you came!” Jayden raises his arms and goes to hug me, but I step back. I grimace at the drink that spills down his arm, but he does nothing but laugh about it. “Why don’t you let me love you? I just want to love you!”

I blankly stare at me. “Have you seen Julianna?”

A droopy smile cracks on Malik’s face. “You know she’s really cool. I don’t understand the rift and she’s really pretty.” The playfulness on his face dissolves and he clears his throat when I cock a brow. “She went to the restroo?—”

I don’t wait for him to finish as I’m off in that direction. I weave through the crowd, ignoring the people who try to stop me. When I make it to the hall that leads to the restroom, I finally spot her, but she’s not alone. It’s not Brook who she’s with, but some other guy.

Unlike when she smiled at Finnick and Brook, she’s not doing that and looks uncomfortable.

As I cut the distance and stand behind her, the guy clamps his mouth shut and his eyes go round.

Julianna peers over her shoulder and up at me. The moment her eyes set on mine, I swear I feel her body physically relax against me and the worry in her eyes dissolves.

I don’t know what possesses me, but I wrap my arm around her front and draw her in, pressing her back close to my front. She doesn’t fight or protest. If anything, Julianna easily lets me hold her against me.

What did he do?

“You’re too close.” My harsh voice gets him to step back.

A cunning smile splits across his face. “We were just talking.”

She stiffens and lays her clammy palm on top of my hand and squeezes it. I’m not sure if she realises she’s doing it, but I don’t stop her. Her nails dig into my skin, drawing my attention back to the dumbfuck still standing in front of us.

“Now, you’re done,” I coldly state, causing his smile to fall.

His brows pull together defensively. “Landon, I swear we’re just?—”

“Fuck out of here.”

His gaze zeros on Julianna like he’s debating or hesitating, but he scoffs and walks away. Any residual tension evaporates from her body.

I don’t drop my hand, but I glide it across her back until I’m standing in front of her.

“Julianna.”

She doesn’t meet my stare and shakes her head, her voice helpless. “Please, not right now.”

Something heavy lands on my chest at the weakness and exhaustion in her voice.

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