Page 34 of The Best Man

I cringe hearing that word yet again. It annoys me that people keep saying he did that to me, even if my brain attempts to point out they’re not exactly wrong.

I don’t care.

They’re not right, either.

Marcus would never hurt me. He knew what I could handle.

A voice whispers that doesn’t entirely make sense, but I kick it in the metaphorical face. Who needs that kind of negativity?

I curl closer to my husband protectively. If people don’t stop being mean to him, I swear to god…

“I don’t know why we bother,” Matt tells James, shaking his head. “She’s under his spell. You can see it.”

“Maybe he’s a witch,” James states.

“Warlock. I’m a man,” Marcus jokes.

“Whatever.” After shaking his head irritably at his brother, James’ expression softens when he looks at me. “I’m so fucking sorry, Jess.”

“It’s really okay. Truly. I’m fine.” I feel awkward talking about it, but I don’t want anyone to be mad at Marcus. I may not have known what I was getting myself into last night, but we all had fun. I don’t need anyone to feel bad about anything they did to me.

“We never would have done that if we’d known it was you,” Matt says.

“Andespeciallyif we’d known you never agreed to it,” James adds, sliding his brother a severe look.

“Be careful with him,” Matt says, but I’ve never needed any advice less.

“I will,” I assure him, but I’m only placating him. I won’t.

“If you ever need anyone to kick his ass, he has four brothers. You can come to any of us,” James adds.

“Well, maybe not Joey,” Matt says.

James snorts. “Maybe not him.”

I smile politely, but what I’m thinking is that if any of them want to get to my husband, they’ll have to go through me first.

I know they mean well.

Ready to move on, I glance up at my handsome husband. “Speaking of Joey, should we…?”

“No.”

“Okay.”

Matt sighs, pinching the bridge of his nose.

But Marcus already knows I want to leave, and his business is finished here anyway.

“We’re gonna go mingle,” Marcus tells them, tightening his hold on me and pulling me away before I can toss more than a quick goodbye over my shoulder.

“Matt was always nice to me, but James was definitely more protective of me today,” I remark.

“I told you.”

“They didn’t seem to likeyoumuch,” I joke.

He cracks a smile. “I’m happy to take the heat if it makes your life easier.”

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