Page 97 of Call the Shots
I threw a frown in Bear’s direction. “I have the breakup bangs. Chopped them myself with a pair of kitchen scissors,which makes me the face of the business. And I have a slogan.We’ll piss off your ex in forty seconds or less!”
“Uh-huh,” he said, unamused. “You’re saying I’d do all of the work?”
“And look so good while you do it.”
The words slipped out, and Bear’s eyes darted to mine in surprise. Did I say good or so good? Because there was a big distinction between the two and my cheeks flushed with the realization that I most definitely said ‘so good.’
Heavy footsteps came from behind—Xavier, charging towards us. “You don’t get to?—”
“Take a deep breath and think about what comes out of your mouth next,” Bear warned. “Because I’m not in the fucking mood.”
“She has you on a tight leash, doesn’t she?” Xavier mocked.
In a flash, Bear grabbed Xavier, dragging him to the wall. I almost dropped the frame as I hurried after them. “Bear!”
Bear towered over him. “We have a lot of shit to deal with, and I’ll be honest, you’re not part of it. So this is the end. Adios, goodbye. I don’t want to see your fucking face again. Home, I’ll take it, here, I won’t.”
People streamed out from the housing department, we didn’t need another viral video. I touched Bear’s back. “Bear? Let’s go home.”
His eyes slid to mine, and his face softened before he turned to Xavier again. “If I catch you at Roman Villa, if I see you talking to June, theonlywaythey’ll stop me from beating your ass is when they handcuff me.”
Stop Bear! Tell him to apologize!A part of me was internally shouting about the optics and how a fight wouldn’t do anything but stir up trouble. The other, much more persuasive part wanted to smile while Bear threatened my ex.
A security guard jogged up. “Do we have a problem?”
Bear raised his eyebrows at Xavier. “I don’t know. Do we?”
“No,” Xavier finally said through gritted teeth.
Bear and I left side by side and I couldn’t keep back the smile anymore. That was so sweet. I didn’t have to ask, I didn’t even mention it?—
I paused, thinking it over. “How did you know that was my stuff?”
“Huh?” He opened the door for me. “Uh…you yelled about it in Xavier’s office.”
Oh, right.
“But how did you know I could get them back?”
Bear fell silent. “Uh…I think Cleo mentioned it.”
CHAPTER 36
BEAR
CEASE-AND-DESIST
With Vernon’s bullshit rules,I put in a new system to thesnap shot sluts!to make sure everybody showed up to practice on time. Basically textingYOUR ASS BETTER BE AWAKE OR ILL HUNT YOU FOR SPORTand everyone had to thumbs-up the message to avoid getting a call from me. I checked the chat again.
ruthlesselijah
dad wouldve said it nicer
me
im not miles
Nickyk
