Page 87 of Fear of Love
We all gave each other a look over the girls’ heads, a silent ‘we’ll talk later’ look, before steering our girls to our respective cars. But not before they all drunkenly expressed their love for one another, of course.
I tamped down on my worry and anger, steading Lydia as she rested against me.
I sighedinto my coffee mug as I replayed the rest of the night in my head, including Lydia dropping the bomb that she grew up in foster care. Something I had absolutely no clue about. She never talked about her family. It made me feel like an asshole for never once asking her. Over the last two years, I’ve kept her at arm’s length, not even trying to get to fully know her.
The vulnerability in her voice when she asked me to stay was what kept me up all night. I’ve never heard her sound so vulnerable. She was under the influence, but they say drunk words are sober thoughts.
There was still so much to learn about Lydia, but I wasn’t sure if she wanted me to know those things. We were more thanjust friends with benefits. At least, that’s how I felt. It was hard to tell what went on in that thick head of hers. But with the way she looked at me last night, I wondered if things were changing for her, too.
I couldn’t believe I was a thirty-year-old man with woman problems. The last time I was this flustered over a woman, I was in uni.
My phone buzzed on the counter, taking me out of my thoughts. I already knew it would be my brother. I knew him better than anyone and knew he wasn’t going to let last night be swept under the rug.
I swiped to answer and brought it to my ear so I wouldn’t wake Lydia.
“Hey.”
“Figured you’d be up already.”Wyatt didn’t even bother with a greeting.
“Didn’t get much sleep either, huh?” I took a sip of my coffee as my brother sighed through the phone.
“I need you to talk to me out of doing something.”I already had a feeling I knew what he was referring to.
“The security guard,” was my only response.
“On the drive home, Jo told me that he grabbed her and tried to pull the girls outside.”I could hear the anger in his voice.“The police chief said he’d make sure none of the girls got in trouble, but that guard should be held accountable.”
I wasn’t surprised that Wyatt wanted to find the person who touched Josie. I bet Trevor and Landon were also chomping at the bit to do the same thing. Hell, I wanted to find the guy that put his hands on Lydia and make him pay, but I also knew it wouldn’t solve anything. As much as I wanted to agree with Wyatt, I needed to be the responsible one.
“Let’s say you find the guy. What then?” I asked.
“I’d…”
Wyatt was the type to jump headfirst into a fight. He wouldn’t purposely start one but he’d finish it. Back when he first started playing for the Knights, he would gladly get in fights with other players until he grew out of it. That tendency was showing at this moment.
“You hit him. Bruise your hand right before playoffs. Before yourwedding.”I leaned against the counter as I spoke. “It might feel good hitting the guy, but when Josie finds out, you know she won’t be thrilled.”
“She’d be pissed,”Wyatt mumbled.
“Word could get out and the team could hear about it. You don’t want to be benched for the playoffs.”
Wyatt was quiet for a moment before he sighed.
“You’re right,”he said but didn’t sound thrilled by it.
“Of course I’m right.”
“Fuck off.”
I chuckled at his words.
“I know you want to defend Josie and I get that. But outside of getting a moment of satisfaction, is it truly worth it? While the girls did get arrested, they held their own last night. I mean, Tasha and Lydia looked pretty proud of themselves.” Wyatt laughed through the phone.
“Your fiancée is going to wake up with a killer hangover so just focus on her and your wedding in two weeks. Okay?”
“Okay.”Wyatt was quiet for a moment, and I knew he would listen to what I just said. The last thing he’d do was ruin his and Josie’s big day, or the playoffs for his team.“Thank you, Lan.”
“Anytime.” And I meant it. It didn’t matter that Wyatt was an adult and about to be married, I’d always be there if he needed me.
