Page 112 of Beautiful Thing

He emits a bitter chuckle. “At least you have a pretty girl to take care of you. Me? I’m stuck with my two hairy brothers bossing me around and forcing anti-inflammatories down mythroat.” He points out two guys across the room. “Prison Guard Number One and Prison Guard Number Two, I call them. That’s what I get for hiring one brother as my agent and the other as my trainer.” He takes an angry chug from his water bottle.

The first man is in a deep, serious discussion with Darius and the other suits from the Sin Valley Saints hockey franchise. He looks like a real corporate type from the way he wears his business suit to the way not one hair on his head is out of place.

The other guy is younger with a devil may care grin I don’t like at all. He looks like trouble as he flirts withthreeof Mason’s four sisters at the same time!

Raines and I continue to chat as he tells me all about his injury. I’m no doctor but it sounds like a long road to recovery. I definitely feel like a punk for the way I’ve been limping around on my basic sprain.

“Looks like I’m out of the game for the rest of the season,” he concludes on a sigh. “My older brother is trying to find me a nice, quiet place in our hometown where I can relax and focus on my recovery.”

My head bobs slowly. “Sounds like a good plan. I hope the quiet time helps.”

“It’ll probably drive me stir-crazy,” he mutters. “I don’t think I’m cut out for the small town life anymore.”

I shrug a shoulder. “You’ll find a way to keep busy. Worst comes to worst, I can recommend a few good puzzle books.”

He turns up his nose at me and I huff a laugh.

Already missing my woman, I turn my attention toward the crowd. I spot Layla with her friends grabbing our beers in the kitchenette.

I also see Raines’s idiot brother. He’s sidling up to my girl with a smirk on his face.No fucking way.

He cradles Layla’s elbow and I stand up too fast. He leans in by her ear and I’m already wobbling in that direction. All thepain that was slowing me down for the past week is suddenly gone.

Raines chuckles, calling after me. “Go easy on my dumbass brother. What he lacks in IQ, he makes up for in puppy dog charm.”

Charm, my ass.

I’ve waited for Layla for years. I’m not gonna risk losing her to some horny dipshit now.

I don’t get far before Layla is backing out of his grasp. She gives the man a polite smile, shakes her head ‘no’ and turns in my direction, two beer cans in hand.

She spots me hobbling toward her and her eyes narrow. “Just where do you think you’re going?” she asks, meeting me in the middle of the room.

“To check on you,” I announce with a growl. “And defend you, if necessary.”

She rolls her eyes before motioning to my bad ankle.

“I’m a military-trained destruction machine,” I remind her with a macho huff.

“You’re injured.” She looks pretty pissed off.

I lean in to kiss her cheek, trying to appease her. “Not too injured to protect you. And definitely not too injured to dance with you.”

I set the beers on an end table, then grip her hand in mine. She doesn’t protest when I lead her away from the crowd.

We find ourselves in the little alcove right outside the washroom. I slide my arm around her waist and jerk her body against mine, finally earning a smile.Yes!

Her anger melts, dissolving into a dreamy stare. “You’re ridiculous,” she says, her words completely contradicting her facial expression.

“I’m protective,” I correct her.

She slings her arms around my neck as we sway together now. “You’rejealous.”

“And I’m realizing that you’re something I’m not willing to lose,” I fling back.

I expect another snarky comeback from her, but instead, Layla freezes. First, a quivering bottom lip. Then, a pair of big brown eyes full of tears.

“What is it, Belle?” I ask softly, cupping her cheek.

---