Page 40 of Lassoed Love

My gaze narrows. “You have a real funny way of showing. You just left me there, all ….confused. You didn’t even have the decency to ask for my number or—or… just anything,” I say, throwing my hands in the air, my frustration clearly evident.

He smirks, a challenging glint in his eyes. “Fine, Isla, can I please have your number?”he jokes.

Oh, this wanker.Infuriated, I go to shove him again, but this time he catches my wrists and pulls me towards his chest. In an instant, my heart clenches, and a subtle warmth begins to stir within me.

“You’re a violent one, aren’t you?” His voice low.

I retort, ignoring his remark. “No, you cannot have my number. That ship has sailed, bud. Nice try.”

This spurs Xavier on even more—he just laughs as he presses in closer for more. “Come on, Isla. You can’t deny there’s something between us. Admit it.” His face is now so close to mine, I can smell mint on his warm breath.

Just as this exchange starts to take a bewildering turn—something I can’t quite grasp—the tension is shattered when a voice slices through the air, demanding, “Isla, what’s going on here?”

David. Shit. Blood drains from my face. I forcefully shove Xavier away, putting some much-needed space between us, and awkwardly address him, “David, I’m so sorry. I needed a quick bathroom break and got caught up.”

Now visibly unimpressed, he retorts, “Clearly. Is he bothering you?” He gestures towards Xavier.

“Please, she needed air to get away from you.”

I bristle at his comment. “Shut up, Xavier.” He’s dead wrong, I muse, I needed air fromhim, truth be told.

“Well, the bronc riding round has wrapped up. They announced the winner.” David turns to Xavier. “Congrats, mate, looks like you’re needed up there.” David’s attempt to oust Xavier is palpable. He then turns to me, a certain glint in his eyes. “I was thinkingof heading out... we could, uh, go back to my place. You know, to hang?”

This irritates Xavier, who now wears a frown, glaring at David. I notice this as I glance up at him, gauging his reaction.But why?I shift on the spot. I hadn’t planned on heading back home with David. The air thickens with a testosterone-filled standoff between the two guys.

Xavier smirks at David, his tone dripping with sarcasm. “Mate, looks like Isla here is not too keen on your offer. We were in the middle of something before you decided to play the hero and interrupt.”

David raises an eyebrow and steps forward. “What was that?”

With a sly grin, Xavier retorts, “Oh, Isla, here, was just about to admit how she’s secretly been dreaming about me. Sorry, bud.” He looks to David apologetically, but there is not an ounce of genuine apology there.

I shoot Xavier an incredulous look, shaking my head. “I think you’re the one who’s dreaming, Xavier. Could you be any more delusional?”

David cuts in, clearly unamused, “Alright, enough of this crap. Isla, let’s go.”

Xavier leans in, his voice a low whisper. “Make sure he knows what he’s missing, Isla. A night with me is unforgettable. Just saying.” His hands now raised in surrender.

I scoff, rolling my eyes. “You’re unbelievable, Xavier.”

David scoffs, “If that were true, she'd be the one saying it, not you. Anyway, Isla, let's go. We'll head back to mine.” He says it loudenough for Xavier to overhear, nudging my shoulder, smirking, and adding a wink.

I can’t help but feel a little uneasy. Going back to David’s place is the last thing I want to do right now. I’m not sure if it’s because of David standing in front of me or Xavier, who’s still standing behind me. David said that loud enough for Xavier to hear, and part of me feels uneasy at the thought that he might be thinking about me going back with David. No, that’s not what I want.What do I want?I don’t know, but definitely not this. I need to leave. This is now all becoming too much for me. I just want to go home, snuggle on my couch while I watch another episode of ‘New Girl’.

“Actually, no, I’m not feeling too well. I just need to get home,” I declare as I turn to walk off towards the exit, but David’s grip on my arm pulls me back.

“Hey, wait! What do you mean? I thought we were having fun.”

We were, untilhecame along—I muse in my mind about Xavier. David’s grip on my wrist tightens, and my attempts to break free are futile. As I struggle, I catch sight of Xavier stepping forward, clearly noticing David’s grip on me.

“Let. Her. Fucking. Go,” he seethes.

“Clearly, she doesn’t want to ‘hang’,” he says, raising his fingers to do an air quote sign.

“Back off, Xavier,” David says, his voice carrying a firm warning. The air crackles as Xavier takes a step toward David, a threatening glint in his eyes hinting at an impending clash.

I take a deep breath, breaking off this brutish standoff by placinga hand on Xavier’s chest. “Stop!”Fuck this.“I’m getting an Uber home.”

The alcohol’s earlier buzz now gives way to frustration and distress.Do not get emotional. Do not cry.

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