Page 24 of Just Exes
She’s not yours to protect any longer.
I have to pound that through my thick skull and broken heart.
My attention stays pinned on her as she maneuvers through the crowd, holding her water in the air, and goes back to her table. I sit back down and make myself comfortable, knowing she’s surrounded by a layer of her brothers’ protection.
She circles the table, hugging everyone, and finishes off her water before heading to the door. I start to relax—until she goes outside, and the landlord does the same minutes later.
This time, I ignore Kyle’s protests as I stalk out of the bar and into the parking lot. It’s close to empty, which surprises me. Patrons are usually gathered out here, smoking and shooting the shit.
I follow the sound of his voice.
“Come on, baby. One night. You won’t regret it. Trust me.”
“I told you, my parents are expecting me,” she answers. “I already called and told them I was on my way home.”
I round the corner to find Lauren standing in front of her pink Mustang with Douche-Bag standing in front of her, blocking her from opening the door.
He snags her around the waist, and she pushes him away. “Then we can go to my car and mess around. A quick fuck then I’ll take you to dinner tomorrow.”
“You couldn’t pay me to touch you, asshole.”
He grabs her arms and pins them above her. “Baby, don’t tempt me. Money talks. It always does.”
He turns her head to the side as he grows closer, and I yell at the top of my lungs while running toward them.
“How much will it take? A few hundred? I’m willing to pay thousands to get between your legs. Now that I think about it, you need a place to stay. My bed is always open.”
The idiot is practically screaming out his assault.
“You’d better step the fuck away from her before I bash your skull in,” I yell, finally catching his attention.
He releases her and holds his hands up. “No need to interfere. My girl and I are having a little spat. We’ll be on our way.”
“I’m not your girl, sicko,” Lauren yells.
She pushes him, and he stumbles backward.
He stares at me, blinking, while I clench my fist in hopes that I can control it from hitting his face.
“You’re the officer who arrested her,” he says.
“No shit, and she wasn’t your girl when you demanded I do that,” I reply.
“I now see why I haven’t been updated on any charges.” He lets out a gravelly laugh. “Looks like I’m not the only man who wants a piece of her. It’s always more tempting when you have to work for it.”
Anger spirals through my veins, and I hold my clenched fists up. “I’m giving you five seconds to split before I bust your jaw open.”
Pretty boy doesn’t take it as an idle threat.
He swiftly glances at Lauren. “You have my card. Let me know when you’re ready for some quality dick.”
There goes my patience and trying to lay low.
I charge forward, and he grunts when I slam him against the car. “The fuck did I say? Walk away, shut your fucking mouth, and don’t you come near her again. You hear me?”
He repeatedly nods until I release him. He slides against the car, away from me, and then arrogantly runs his hands down to smooth out the wrinkles of his suit, which is nowhere appropriate to wear at a run-down pub like this. “Let me know if you change your mind, sweetie.”
“That’ll be never,” Lauren blurts out. “Some words of advice: go buy a sex doll because that’s the only way you’re getting laid.”