Page 68 of No One Wants That (Blitzen Bay)

Raine bolts out of the booth and grabs the back of my waistband to try to stop me. I keep walking—pulling her behind me like she’s water skiing. Millie runs ahead of me and throws her body into my chest.

“Butch! Stop. Seriously. I pulled my punch and he still fell. I think your hit might literally kill him.”

“Butch,” Elle says, walking in front of us and holding her hand in my face. “I’ve got this. He’s my ex’s dad, Trip Walker. He’s an asshole, but we don’t need you going to jail for murdering him. Believe me, he’s not worth it.”

Nash stops Elle as she walks up. “Let’s just get out of here, babe. He’s acting insane.”

“In a second,” Elle says, walking over to Trip. “Mr. Walker, you have to let this go. It’s been eight months since I broke up with Steve. It’s taken a while, but Steve and I are good. I’m sure he’s told you that. We’ve talked a few times since the wedding, and we agreed that breaking it off was the best thing for us. The timing sucked but we’re both happier now. I’m not sure why you can’t get past it when your son is over it.”

“My son is weak,” Trip says. “That’s why I fired him. There’s no way he can run my company when he lets a woman push him around like this.”

“That’s funny,” Elle says, “because Steve told me he quit. He said he told you to shove it and finally broke away from you. But either way it happened, I’m glad he doesn’t have to deal with you anymore. I only wish I could say the same.”

“Oh you’re going to have to deal with me—you and Nash both—if you plan on living in Blitzen Bay for much longer.”

“What does that mean?” Nash says, taking a step toward him.

“I’m done here.” Trip motions to Steroid and a bimbo looking redhead. “We’re leaving. See you around, Noelle. Probably sooner than later.”

Nash hugs Elle to his chest as they watch Trip walk away. “What did he mean by that?”

“Who knows? I think he’s just messing with me.” Elle looks back at Kit. “I’m not in the mood for ladies’ night anymore. Do you mind if I leave?”

“No, I was thinking the same thing. Will you give me a ride back to the inn?”

“I think we’re all done,” I say. “Kit, ride back with us, so they don’t have to make a special stop.”

“It’s cool,” Elle says. “Your car’s so crowded. We’ll drive Kit back.”

“What? We have plenty of room,” I say, grabbing Kit’s arm. “Come on.”

“Yeah, uh, I’m guess I’m good,” Kit says, breaking free of me to hug Elle. “I’ll call you later.”

“Okay.” Elle looks at Kit like she’s watching her only kid go off to war.

“Y’all are really attached, aren’t you?” I say, laughing as I put my hand on Kit’s back to guide her out the door.

She speed walks ahead of me to the car. I open the door for the seat behind mine and give her my hand to help her in. She pushes it away and crawls in by herself.

“What’s wrong with you?” I whisper, leaning into the car. “Did I do something?”

“What? No,” she says, looking away from me. “Let’s get going.”

I look at her in the rearview mirror as I start the car. I catch her eye for a second, but then she quickly looks out the window.

“Should we chill outside when we get back?” Raine says. “That was way too much drama for me. I need to calm down before I try to sleep.”

“Sound good,” I say. “Kit, you want to join us?”

“What?” she says as she turns back toward us. “Oh, uh, no. Thanks, but I’m kind of tired.”

I snake my left arm between my seat and the car door and squeeze her leg. She pulls it away. When I grab it again, she whacks my hand and pulls her legs up on the seat.

I barely get parked at the inn before she shoots out of the car. I open my door to block her.

“Stop,” I say, wrapping my arm around her. “Kit, stop. What’s wrong?”

“Nothing.” She looks over at the other couples to see if they’re listening. They’re already walking toward the patio. “I’m just really tired.”

---