Page 93 of Rematch
“Nausea isn’t common for you…is it?”
“No. For some reason, I just puke whenever I meet new people.”
I laughed. “How long has the nausea been bothering you?”
“A few days. At first, I thought it was just anxiety about the trip, but…” She trailed off, picking her head up. “Oh, shit,” she muttered.
I almost laughed at the groan she let out. “Guess that answers my question, huh?” I picked a few pieces of toilet paper off the roll and handed it to her. “Should I say congratulations now or later?”
“You can pray for me,” she said, accepting the tissue.
“Why? Max idolizes him, so he must be an alright guy.”
She curled her lips in disbelief. “That man is crazy as hell. Don’t let that nice guy act fool you.”
I didn’t hold back my laugh. “Well, in that case, I’ll send you all the prayers and all the thoughts.”
I helped her out of the stall and waited as she washed her hands.
“Can you promise not to say a word of this to the boys?” Kiara asked as she dried her hands. “I need Adrian to act like he’s got some sense for the duration of this trip.”
I pretended to seal my lips. “If he asks, we’ll say you caught a stomach bug.”
She smiled. “Thank you.”
We headed out the bathroom and back into the hall. The lounge had filled with more patrons while we were inside, taking up some of the previously empty space.
I took Kiara’s hand and began to lead her through the small crowds.
As we were walking, someone accidentally bumped into us. I looked up at the culprit and found myself staring up at a familiar face.
“Carter?” I asked, pinching my brows. I almost didn’t recognize him at first with the dim lighting hindering my vision.
He flashed a small smile. “Oh, my bad, Audrey. I didn’t mean to bump you.”
“It’s fine.” I tried to sidestep him, but another man appeared at his side, blocking my way.
“Oh, so this is the infamous Audrey?” He asked. The lust in his eyes as he took me in made me nauseous. “No wonder Lawson and Guerra were fighting over you. You’re one fine little lady.”
“Thanks…” I was trying to be polite, but I was ready for the conversation to be over.
Kiara must’ve sensed the shift in my energy. Her grip on my hand tightened, and she stepped forward, trying to move us along. “Excuse us,” she said, her voice warm but firm.
“Ooo, and who’s your friend?” Carter’s friend asked. His eyes shamelessly raked over Kiara’s voluptuous curves. “Don’t tell me you’re taken too.”
Kiara’s lips twisted. “You need to move. Now.”
“Don’t be like that,” the man said, reaching toward Kiara. “Where’s that good ‘ol Southern Hospitality?”
Kiara took a step back to avoid his touch, but there wasn’t far she could go without leaving my side. Her grimace deepened as his fingertips connected with her cheekbone.
Before they could even move an inch across her face, a hand abruptly grabbed them.
Our eyes widened as Adrian appeared, practically out of thin air, and twisted the man’s hand behind his back. He shoved him up against the end of the corridor leading the bathroom, smacking the man’s face against the wall with a loud thud. The man yelped as Adrian twisted his wrist at an unnatural angle.
“Adrian!” Kiara yelled, a mix of irritation and relief in her voice. She tried to move towards him, but Carter was already stepping forward with his hand raised, prepared to defend his friend. “Adrian, look out!”
Adrian turned his head just as Carter swung.
