Page 77 of Nash

I close her door behind us, my brow furrowed at the incredibly loud music that's coming from next door.

“What the hell is that?” I ask.

Monroe starts crying again, and I hurry to wrap my arms around her.

“That's Liam,” she says. “We had an argument last week, and he's been doing this everysinglenight. I haven't been able to sleep. And sometimes his fucking friends will come by and knock on my door at three a.m.”

I grit my teeth, doing my best to hold her gently.

“Tonight was supposed to be a fun way to work things out, but he was getting way too serious. He kept talking about our future together and trying to plan things with me even though I kept telling him I’m not a serious relationship kind of person.When I reiterated that tonight, and he ignored it, joking that he would propose to me during one of the songs, I told him that was it. That I was done.” She shakes her head against my chest. “And once he realized I was serious, he said a bunch of horrible things and thenleft.”

I smooth my hand up and down her back, trying to be reassuring when all I can think about is the asshole next door.

“And he's been doing this music thing for an entire week? Over an argument?”

She nods against my chest. “I haven't been able to sleep, which probably didn't help tonight. Normally I can get through these attacks easier, but tonight, I couldn't get a grip. And now I don't know what I should do,” she continues looking absolutely frazzled. “My lease is up, and I was about to sign a new one to stay here, but now that I know he's going to continue living next door and possibly act like this, I don't know what to do. And I haven't been able to go to Blakely or Reese’s because I totally don't want to bother them while they're enjoying their off-season time with Lawson and Nash. And Hadley just graduated and is crashing with Nash too. I have no idea what to do.”

I shake my head, adrenaline crackling through my veins as the wheels turn in my head. If Liam left her at the festival tonight and is being an obnoxious asshole on purpose from just an argument, now that she's broken things off with him, he’ll likely get worse.

“I swear Mercury is in retrograde or something,” she continues, pulling away slightly as she looks up at me. “I don't mean to dump all this bullshit on you. I'm sure you were out with the guys or something?—”

“I wasn't,” I say, cupping her cheeks. “And even if I was, do you think there’s anything on this planet that would’ve stopped me from coming to you?”

Fresh tears well in her eyes as she shakes her head. “I don't know what to do,” she says again, flinching as the party going on next door intensifies, someone banging on the wall that connects their two units.

“I'm going to tell you what you're going to do,” I say, leaving no room for argument in my voice. “You're going to go pack your bags right now, get everything that's absolutely necessary for the next few days, okay?”

“Pax, I don't want to be a burden?—”

“You’renevera burden,” I say firmly. “I have plenty of room at my house. It's quiet and safe. You'll have the space to think, peace to sleep.”

She seems hesitant, but nods. “I'll go pack.”

“Good girl,” I say, and it earns a broken laugh from her.

I wait until she disappears down the hall and into her room, and then I'm out the door and pounding on Liam’s so hard I know he can hear me over the music.

One of his friends, Darrell, opens it, and I immediately shove past the prick, my eyes on Liam who is across the living room. The layout is the same as Monroe’s, only reversed.

“Who the fuck invited you?” Liam asks as I stomped toward him, but I don't bother answering.

I grab his shirt and shove him against the nearest wall.

“You're a fucking asshole,” I snap. He struggles against my hold but can't break free. “You left her there, you piece of shit. And now you're pulling this music bullshit?” I shake my head, making sure he can see every ounce of rage in my eyes. “You come near her again, eventhinkabout talking to her again, and I'll fucking kill you.”

Hands wrap around me from behind, yanking me backward, but I shove one of his friends off, fastening him with a warning look that says I won't hesitate to rip his head off too.

Liam holds his hand up at his friend, and they back off as Liam smooths his crumpled shirt. “She basically begged me to leave tonight,” he says. “You need to calm down. We all know you have a hard-on for your friend, but she's never going to look at you in that way, so don't take that out on me.”

His friends laugh, and I roll my eyes.

“You're so fucking pathetic,” I say, not even phased by his comments. I step into his space again, anger rattling down to my very bones. “I promise you,” I say. “Hurt her again, and I'll ruin you.”

Worry flares in his eyes for just a second, likely his mind reminding him of the fact that I've been on our team a lot longer than he has, and I havewaymore pull with Coach, not to mention the owner. But honestly, his position on the Badgers is the last thing he needs to be worried about right now. Especially when I want to knock his teeth out.

“Fuck off,” Liam says, shaking his head. “Get the hell out of my house.”

“Gladly,” I say, my message delivered as I head out the door.

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