Chapter 27
CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
EZRA
Going to Zayn’s job wasn’t on my to-do list today, but when I woke up from a restful night’s sleep thanks to Violet and her thoughtfulness, I decided I’m not letting this fucker ruin anything for her. She deserves more. She deserves better than what she’s been handed.
I pull my truck into Zayn’s work and park dead center, not giving a damn who I’m blocking.
All patience and restraint I had went out the window after she told me what he did last night.
Slamming the door shut, I stride toward the bays with heavy steps and catch a few of the guys off guard as they glance over at me.
“Hey Ezra,” I hear in the distance. I ignore whoever said that; I’m not here for pleasantries.
I scan the rows of cars until I spot him on a creeper. My steps cut across the concrete, each one louder than the last. I get close enough to see the smear of grease on his clothes and the smell of oil is thick in the air.
Without thinking, I grab his ankles and yank.
He slides out from under the car. “What the fuck?” he says, startled.
The wheels scrape against concrete as I hold his ankles tight, lifting them just enough to pin him down and make it harder for him to push himself up.
A few guys gasp, while the clatter of tools die down as everyone’s attention turns to me.
He comes up on one elbow, eyes wide, surprised, and for a second he just stares at me, confused. “Ezra,” he yells. “What the fuck are you doing?” he says furiously, trying to twist his ankles out of my grip.
To my surprise, none of the guys come and try to help him get out of this.
They probably don’t know what’s been going on.
I’m sure they think I’m here to play a friendly joke on him.
I know many of these guys. They’ve been here since high school, when I used to work with them.
It was common for us to play jokes on each other.
“You need to back the fuck off, Zayn, and stay the hell away from Violet.” He freezes, eyes wide like he can’t believe what he’s hearing. “Did you fucking hear me?” I roar, spit flying from rage. My pulse is hammering and my jaw is locked so tight my whole head throbs.
He stops fighting the grip I have on him. “Oh, come on. This is about her,” he sneers, his face twisting in anger.
I kick the creeper out from under him, and his back slams into the pavement with a loud thud. A sharp groan escapes him as his face twists in pain. I press my foot against his stomach, pinning him down before he can scramble to his feet.
“I fucking mean it, Zayn. Stay the hell away from her. And keep her name out of your fucking mouth,” I say under my breath, my teeth clenched so hard.
“Are you her knight in shining armor coming to her rescue?”
I drive my boot down harder into his stomach; his chest heaves as he gasps for air.
“You’re a pathetic excuse for a man. You’ve done your damage. There is nothing left for you. So leave her the fuck alone.”
“Hey, Ezra, he’s not breathing. Ease up on him, man,” I hear in the background.
Anger blinded me to the point I didn’t notice his face turning red.
I press my boot down a few seconds longer, then step off his stomach. He grabs his stomach, doubling over and gasping for air. I follow with a hard kick to his ribs. He lets out a groan while curling into a tighter ball.
“Hey, get the fuck out of here. Or I’m calling the cops,” some guy yells.
I glance around; everyone is staring at me, but no one has tried to intervene. No doubt he’s not worth anyone’s time. I see customers coming out of the waiting room looking over at me with their jaws dropped in shock. They probably think I work here since I’m in my oil-stained work clothes.
I look back down at Zayn as he cradles himself, still trying to catch a breath.
I walk back to my truck, start it, and haul ass out of there, leaving squeals in the distance.
Adrenaline surges through me; beads of sweat drip down my face.
My muscles are trembling, making my hands shake against the steering wheel.
It’s making it impossible to focus on the road, let alone think straight.
Every thought of what I could have done and wanted to do shakes me to my core.
I held back for so long, and even now there were so many more blows I wanted to give him. But I still held back.
I spot a parking lot up ahead, swerve in, and slam on the brakes once I reach a parking spot far away from other cars.
I need a moment—a moment to catch my breath before the anger causes me to crash.
I turn the air conditioner on full blast. The cool air hitting my face causes goosebumps to rise on my arms. The mix of adrenaline and cool air causes a huge shiver to run up my spine.
Once my body feels more regulated, I ease my grip off the steering wheel, rest my head against the seat, and let out a huge breath.
I know I’ve thought about it a lot, but I don’t recognize Zayn anymore.
The guy I grew up with, my best friend, my brother.
The one who had my back no matter what. Even in the years I questioned our friendship, I never thought he could turn into this.
An asshole who thrives on bringing Violet down.
All for what? Because she’s putting her foot down and not letting him walk all over her.
What a pussy. It’s shocking what he’s turned into and how fast he’s turned into it.
I never saw any of this coming. The manipulative, deceiving lies he’s telling people now.
Not just random people but Violet’s parents.
I let out a sigh and try to release my thoughts of him because if I keep letting them consume me, I’m going to end up going back there and kicking his ass even more because I let him off easy.
I glance out my window and notice the bank I use up ahead. And before I know it, I’m opening up my door and sliding out of my truck. I pull out my phone and call my dad.
An hour later, I’m walking out of the bank with a smile on my face because my next bright idea will help Violet get what she wants. What she deserves.