Page 60 of The Hookup Type

Katie nodded at Connor to let him know it was okay, and Jaxon made eye contact with me. I ached to run my hands down his chest, feel his sculpted abs against my fingers and press my body against his. I knew it was the booze, but I wanted to go back to a few months ago. When Jaxon was the only guy I thought about, and Bryson wasn’t an option.

Jaxon’s dimple dug into his cheek, and he reached over to squeeze my hand. Warmth shot through my arm, and I offered him a small smile. The guys crossed the bar and were soon out of eyesight.

“God,” Katie whined and removed her hands from my shoulders. She stood taller and shook her curls right before she side-eyed me. I could tell she was getting her second wind.

“What’s up?” I laughed and raised my hand to get the attention of the bartender. I ordered two cranberry vodkas, and she returned a few seconds later.

“Nothing.” She sighed and grabbed her cup. She took a sip and locked her eyes back on mine. I could tell that Logical Katie was still hanging on. “Can I have an honest drunk moment with you?”

“Oh boy.” I took a long sip of my drink.

As I prepared for her admission, I watched her face shift into a look of worry. Her body tensed, and she averted her gaze down to the countertop.

“Katie, what’s—” I was side checked by a guy in a pale green button-down.

“Katie,” Tyler demanded and wrapped his hand around her wrist.

My protective instincts took over, and I shoved into the side of him. “What the fuck, asshole!” I screamed over the music, gaining the attention of a few people that surrounded us.

Tyler shoved his elbow into my shoulder, and I gripped the back of his shirt to keep from falling. He knocked me so hard that I stared in the complete opposite direction.

I scanned the room for a familiar face. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Bryson by the pool tables, making out with a girl in a bright red tank top. My stomach sank, but I spun back around to address the issue at hand.

“Tyler, please get off me.” Katie grabbed at his hand and winced when he tightened his grip.

“You think you can just ignore me? I need to talk to you,” he growled.

I jumped and wrapped my arms around his neck, using my body weight to pull him away from Katie. I tightened my arms, and his hands flew to my forearms at his restricted airflow. We had officially caused a scene to the point where people backed away from us.

“Maci!” Katie screamed when Tyler spun around so he faced me. His elbow hit my mouth, and I tasted blood. I didn’t recognize him in this state. His eyes were bloodshot, and there was a fire ignited in them. He looked furious.

“Back up!” he screamed in my face.

I braced myself as he pulled back his arm, but nothing came. I felt the pain of my hip hit the counter, and when I opened my eyes, Jaxon and Connor were at the bar.

Jaxon’s arm shielded me from Tyler, and he lunged into his chest. They fell to the floor, and my breath caught in my throat. Jaxon’s hands hit Tyler’s face over and over again until a few guys from the crowd ran in to pull him off.

“I told you I would break your jaw, you fucking prick!” Jaxon yelled and wiped his mouth with the back of his hand.

“Get the fuck out!” The bartender yelled over the counter.

“Let’s go, J!” Connor’s voice stood out from the crowd, and I watched him pull Katie to the front entrance.

Tyler was motionless on the ground when I pulled on Jaxon’s arm. I needed to get him out of here before the cops showed up. He let me drag him a few feet, and the crowd parted for us. He laced his fingers with mine and led us down the stairs and to the street.

The sound of sirens wailed from the other side of the building. We went through the parking lot and came out on Court Street.

Jaxon dropped my hand and ran his fingers through his hair. Neither of us said anything until we were in front of Brathaus.

I stopped walking. “Jaxon?”

He spun around and stared at me. His mouth parted, and his eyes zeroed in on my mouth. He took two giant steps and placed his hands on both sides of my face. “Are you okay?” His voice was still laced with anger from the scene we had just left.

“Yeah, I’m fine,” I reassured him and removed his hands. “Are you okay?”

He pressed his forehead to mine and closed his eyes. His breaths came quick and grew even shakier the more he tried to calm down. I swallowed and tried to ignore how close his mouth was to mine. Suddenly a moment that was frightening and uncertain felt so safe and natural.

“Fucking prick.” He turned and looked up at the sky.

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