Page 65 of Texts From My Exes
“It’s not,” we all said in unison.
Aaron cleared his throat and reached for my arm. “Hey. It’s getting late. You wanna just go?”
Ezra’s eyes snapped to Aaron’s hand like a hawk locking on prey. If Aaron had been holding anything remotely resembling a weapon, Ezra probably would’ve used it. His voice dropped, low and lethal.
“No. You really don’t have the right.”
And that’s when—all hell, dear God—broke loose.
CHAPTER
THIRTY
HARPER
What else rhymes with bed? I’m writing you a song, I know, so hot. But seriously, all I can think of is Fred rhymes with bed and well...I’m not gay and I don’t know a Fred.
—Rex, from the one-man-band, Rex is Sex.
The second Ezra said, “You don’t have the right,”Aaron shot to his feet.
“Hey, man, back off.” Aaron slid between us like he was some kind of human shield.
Ezra’s laugh was cold, humorless. “Cute. You think you’re protecting her?”
Aaron’s fist connected with Ezra’s jaw before I even processed what was happening.
“OH MY GOD!” My shriek cracked through the music—just in time for Ezra to swing back and nail Aaron in the ribs. Aaron stumbled, crashing into a table full of leather-clad bikers. Beer bottles toppled. Glass shattered.
The bikers stood as one, their table creaking under the weight of spilt whiskey and pure testosterone.
“Oh, hell,” I whispered, right as Aaron lunged again. Ezra met him halfway, their fists colliding with the sound of thunder.
Lila screamed, hands flailing uselessly. “Ezra! Stop it! You’re acting like animals!”
But the crowd was loving it. Phones out. Shots being chanted like it was Fight Night instead of Friday Happy Hour. “Hit him! Hit him! HIT HIM!”
Someone shoved past me, nearly knocking me into a barstool. My grip tightened on the nearest thing I could reach—oh great, a steak knife. Perfect. Totally casual accessory.
The bartender leaned over the counter, unfazed, wiping down a pint glass like this was just Tuesday. “Get them the hell out before they wreck my place.”
Security finally plowed in, dragging Ezra back by the arms while Aaron spit blood onto the floor, still lunging forward. Both looked like they’d rather die than stop.
Lila threw up her hands, shrieking over the din. “You’re all insane! Completely unhinged!” Then she spun on a stiletto heel and stormed toward the door, snapping at her phone until a cab screeched to the curb.
But of course, she couldn’t resist one last parting shot.
“Look, thanks for helping me with the whole brand-new laptop thing—and for being paranoid enough to worry I’d buy the wrong program or RAM or gigabytes or…teradatycles? Whatever. The point is, yeah, you’re clearly good at your craft, Ezra. But honestly?” She swept a hand toward all of us, eyes flashing. “It was just an excuse to see you. And it’s not worth turning into a meme. Even I have my pride.”
She tilted her head, delivering the killing blow. “Some of us need to grow up. And for the love of God—a computer is a computer. PC or Mac. Does itreallymean life or death?”
Oh. Shit.
She went there.
Even Aaron took a step back.
And Ezra? Rage full-ondescended.The StarGate opened and it was not closing anytime soon.
