Page 34 of Mistle-Ho

That’s why I need to get away from her. Because I make terrible fucking decisions when she’s involved. I fall back into the shit I’ve worked hard to stay out of.

“There you are.” Leo passes me two bottles of beer. “You’re behind.”

I sit in my seat, but don’t reach for the offered drinks. “You guys came to play, didn’t you?”

“We just spent five days sweating our balls off, so yeah. We’re here to get fucked up.” Owen downs what’s left of his second beer before looking right at me. “And you better start drinking, because I’m going to get us another round.”

I look around the table and notice everyone has two empty bottles in front of them except for Leo, who’s drinking a coke. I didn’t have time to think the situation over before, but now it’s starting to register how odd it is that my best friend offered to be the designated driver. It’s not normally his style to readily give up the opportunity to get shit faced. “Why aren’t you drinking?”

Leo shrugs. “No reason.”

“Bullshit.” I start to pick up one of the bottles, but my interest in getting drunk is now slim to none thanks to the dick who fucked with Alexis. “What’s the real reason?”

My friend won’t look at me, making me even more sure something’s up. “I’ve got plans in the morning.”

“You have plans.” I stretch the unbelievable words out, enunciating each one. “In the morning.” I lean closer. “You hate mornings.”

“I don’t hate mornings.” Leo lies to my face. “I just wish they came a little later in the day is all.”

Owen comes back to the table, a tray of beers balanced on one hand. He starts passing them out, adding a third drink to my lineup. “Bottom’s up, assholes.”

There’s no way I want to drinkoneof these beers, let alone three. Not when Alexis might need me to be clear headed enough to stop that prick from bothering her again.

Pushing my chair back, I get to my feet. “I’ll be back. Gotta pee.”

Leo looks me over, brows pinched. “You just went.”

“Gotta go again.” I walk away without elaborating, leaving my friends staring at me, their mouths hanging open.

I’m usually the guy buying drinks and passing them out. The one ready to get loud and let loose. I like being that guy. Like making new friends I’ll forget before dawn.

But tonight I’m in a shit mood and it only gets worse when I see the fucker from earlier ducking into the back hallway where the bathrooms are located. A quick scan of the room tells me Alexis hasn’t yet returned to her table, and it has my steps coming faster. I don’t make a habit of knocking the shit out of people off the pitch, but if that bastard lays a hand on Alexis, I’ll make an exception.

I round the corner, storming into the isolated hall just as she comes out of the bathroom to find him waiting for her. Her blue eyes widen in surprise and her skin pales. She spins, planning to go right back into the bathroom. Like a dumbass, he grabs her, the tips of his fingers sinking into the bare skin of her arm as he attempts to yank her closer.

Proving what a fearless woman she is, Alexis swings at him. I’m proud—so fucking proud—when her small fist connects with his nose and he stumbles back.

She’s winding up to sock him again when I reach them, grabbing the guy by the pomade infested hair at the top of his head. The product is sticky, but that only helps my grip as I wordlessly drag him down the hall and around the corner. He squeals and squirms, working desperately to keep both feet under him on our way to the back exit.

Rocking back onto one foot, I kick the other against the bar at the center of the metal door, knocking it open. Using my momentum, I propel dickwad out into the dark, sending him sprawling across the pavement. I brace the door with a hand, keeping it open as I turn to where Al is standing behind me, her mouth hanging open. “You wanna hit him again before I close this?”

Her lips clamp closed and she seems to consider it a second before shaking her head. “I think I’m good.”

The prick is groaning and trying to get up as I slam the door and turn to where Alexis watches me with a wary gaze. She lifts her chin. “Thanks.”

I rock my neck from side to side, trying to work out the tension lingering from seeing that fucker put his hands on her. “Are you okay?” I move toward her, gently picking up the arm he grabbed. “Did he hurt you?”

She holds very still as I brush my fingers over the red marks marring her skin. “Not as bad as I hurt him.” There’s pride in her voice, and I smile in spite of the anger still simmering through my veins.

“You got a pretty good shot in, Al. I’m impressed.” I take a deep breath, trying to calm the jealous rage coursing through my veins. My gaze falls to where I cradle her arm, the sight of theangry marks amping me right back up. “I should have come back here with you.”

Al slides free of my grip. “I came back here to get away from you.”

My eyes jump to her face. “To get away from me?”

Her hand rubs over her bicep. Not the area that’s bruising, but the spot where I touched her. “Iknowyou didn’t forget the shit you said to me on Christmas.”

There’s a hint of hurt in her voice and it cuts into me, digging deep enough to let out an admission I’ve been trying to bury forever. “I was jealous.”

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