Page 21 of Rescued By My Best Friend's Brother

The panic that previously overwhelmed me starts to fade. I know with Jasper here, I am safe. I won’t have to go back with Bradley.

My ex lets go of one shoulder as he shakes off Jasper’s hand but continues to hold me with his other hand. With sarcasm, he spews at Jasper. “ Look who we have here. Aren’t you the asshole who was always a dick to Elena?” He turns his head and glares back at me as if he is solving a riddle. “Let me guess, she’s been fucking you, right?” He is speaking to Jasper but his eyes are fixated on me. He turns back to Jasper and tightens his grip on my arm. “So you are the one she left me for?”

“Bradley!” I exclaim. “Just stop it. I don’t want to be with you because of you! Don’t you see that?”

He scoffs, as if that isn’t enough of a reason. “You just can’t keep your legs closed, can you, babe?”

Jasper pulls me behind him, and to my surprise, Bradley lets him. “I think it’s time you leave,” Jasper grinds out through clenched teeth.

Bradley clasps his hands together and gives a one-sided smirk. “Isn’t that cute? You think you’re tough, don’t you.” He turns like he is about to leave but pauses. In a swift motion, he swings back around, his fist barreling towards Jasper’s face. Jasper remains still, only bringing his hand up and wrapping his fingers around Bradley’s fist. Bradley’s confidence drops as his skin pales.

“I’m giving you one last chance to leave. If you don’t, I know a lot of people in high places who would love to see someone like you in prison.” His voice sounds steady, unwavering. It feels like a threat he has used before.

A chill runs through me, understanding that the boy I knew has grown up into this strong, terrifying force to be reckoned with. When did he change so much? When did he become this absolutely confident man who throws threats around like it’s nothing? For as long as I’d known him, he hadn’t had such confidence.

Jasper brings my ex’s fist down to his side. “What do you say,Bradley?” Jasper smiles, but not the warm one he has for his daughter or Josie. No. This one is ice cold and frightening. It scares me, and I am not even the one he is looking at.

Sweat beads at Bradley’s hairline. “Okay, man,” he replies quietly. “Let go.”

Jasper releases him, allowing him to take one last look at me before running off. Once Bradley has disappeared, Jasper turns around to face me. My heart skips a beat as our eyes meet, and I’m not sure if it is from relief or awe at the way he stopped Bradley from making a complete ass of himself.

“Is he the reason you showed up at my house?” Jasper asks, a sharp edge to his tone.

I nod, finding it difficult to respond. Without his glasses, I can see all his features more clearly. Dark stubble casts a shadow on his face. His dark blue eyes narrow, clearly waiting for more of an explanation.

“Um. Y-yes.” This is all I can give him. The story of my past relationship sticks in my throat like sludge. If I talk about it, then it really happened, and I don’t know if I can stop the tears that would follow the story.

He examines my arms, trailing light fingertips over the red handprints that stand out against my pale skin. “Are you okay? Did he hurt you?”

I glance down at my arms, but my focus is more on his hands lightly caressing me. His touch is warm and comforting, instead of painful like Bradley’s. It’s such a contrast.

I reply, “Yeah. I’ll be okay. You arrived just in time.” I cock my head to the side, curious. “Why are you here?”

Jasper peers over at a man I hadn’t noticed earlier. “I came to lunch with Greg. I was in the cafe when I noticed you about to come in.”

The cafe? Does he work near here? I scan the buildings, curious which office building might be his. “Do you work nearby?”

“It’s not far.” His hands fall away from my body, and I feel the chill of his absence immediately. “I tried calling you when you walked off, but it went straight to voicemail.”

“Oh.” I rummage through my purse and find my phone. I unlock it as he watches me.

“Is your phone off?” he asks.

“Well, um, Bradley was calling me, so I blocked him, then threw it back in my purse. But he showed up here and—”

“Wait. Is he stalking you?”

I shrug. “I don’t know. I don’t think he is stalking me.” I really don’t think he is. It had to have been a coincidence running into Bradley. He probably saw me on the street, and that is why he called me. I know he can be a little controlling and aggressive, but he has never stalked me before. But then again, I had never tried to leave like this. Or at least, I had never been successful at leaving like I had this time.

Jasper steps back, his jaw clenched. He still looks angry, and I can’t tell if it is because of me or the incident with Bradley. I reach out to touch his arm, but he turns towards the direction Bradley had disappeared, as if to ensure my ex is really gone. “I’m sorry about this. Thank you for stepping in, though.”

He scoffs. “He’s dangerous.”

I shake my head. Bradley is upset because he can’t control me anymore. I just must prove that I am no longer scared of him. He isn’t stupid enough to keep inserting himself knowing Jasper is around now, he is too much of a coward when it comes to anyone but me. “He won’t do anything now that you showed up.”

“Are you serious, Elena?” he snaps.

I flinch, not expecting this reaction. “He’s just mad that I won’t take him back, that’s all.” Even as I say the words, I know they are a lie. Yes, Bradley is mad, and he has been this mad before, but only behind closed doors. It terrifies me that he displayed his anger in public. It also showed me onlookers wouldn’t stop him.

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