Page 31 of Boulder's Weight

I know exactly which one she’s talking about.

She tells me a customer tried to smuggle one of the café cats out in his backpack, and her laugh makes something warm unfurl in my chest.

"So this idiot thinks he's being sneaky," she continues, gesturing with her beer, "but the damn cat is meowing the entire time, and he's just pretending nothing's happening!"

I'm laughing along with her, enjoying this glimpse of a less guarded Kelsey, when a man approaches our table.

He's tall, Mexican, dressed well enough to suggest money.

"Perdón," he says, his eyes fixed on Kelsey. "I couldn't help but notice you from across the room. May I buy you a drink?"

I feel a surge of irritation, unexpected in its intensity.

Kelsey seems taken aback by the interruption.

"No, thank you," she says politely but firmly. "I'm with someone."

The guy glances at me, dismissive. "Just one drink? You are too beautiful to resist asking."

Before Kelsey can respond, I find myself standing. "She said no, man. Move along."

The guy scoffs, turning his attention back to Kelsey. "Surely you can make your own decisions, no? Without thisgringospeaking for you?"

I see Kelsey's eyes flash—that fire I was just talking about igniting.

But before she can speak, the guy places his hand on her shoulder.

It's like a switch flips in my brain.

One minute I'm standing there, the next my fist is connecting with his jaw.

He staggers backward, crashing into an empty table.

"Don't fuckin’ touch her," I growl, stepping between him and Kelsey.

The guy recovers quickly, spitting blood onto the floor. "You're going to regret that,pendejo."

Two bouncers appear almost instantly, grabbing both of us before things can escalate further.

Kelsey's at my side, tugging on my arm.

"We're leaving," she says, her voice tight. "Now."

I let her pull me away, tossing some bills on our table as we go.

The bouncers escort us out, making it clear we're not welcome back.

Outside, the cool night air hits us but does nothing to calm the adrenaline rushing through my veins.

Kelsey's walking fast, putting distance between us and the bar.

Once we're several blocks away she whips around and glares at me like she might kill me. "What the fuck was that?"

"He put his hands on you," I say, as if that explains everything.

"I can handle myself, Boulder! I don't need you starting bar fights over me!"

"Well, excuse me for not wanting to watch somependejopaw at you," I snap back.

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