Chapter 25 #2
I froze in shock, too stunned to push him away. Tommy’s lips were cold and demanding against mine, nothing like Diego’s warmth. The taste of his cotton-candy vaping habit filled my nostrils, making me want to gag. Time seemed to slow down as my brain tried to process what was happening.
Then suddenly, Tommy was yanked away from me, his eyes wide with surprise as Diego’s hand gripped his shoulder.
“Get your hands off me!” Tommy spat, brushing at his designer jacket as if Diego’s touch had somehow contaminated it. “This coat cost more than your education.” Then he paused, a cruel grin spreading over his face as he laughed. “Oh wait. You’re just some stupid, muck-kicking, cowb—”
He didn’t get to finish his sentence as my fist collided with that smug fucking grin he always wore.
Tommy staggered backward, his hand flying to his face as shock registered across his face. Pain shot through my knuckles, but the satisfaction of seeing his perfect nose dripping blood was worth it. I’d never hit anyone before in my life.
“You hit me!” he gasped, staring at the blood on his fingers. “You actually fucking hit me!”
“And I’ll do it again if you ever come near me or my boyfriend again,” I snarled, my whole body trembling with rage. The diner had gone completely silent, every eye fixed on our confrontation.
Diego moved beside me, his hand finding the small of my back in silent support. I could feel the tension radiating from him, like he was barely restraining himself from finishing what I’d started.
“You’ve lost your fucking mind,” Tommy spat, dabbing at his nose with a pristine handkerchief that quickly bloomed with crimson. “All for some... some ranch hand? You’re throwing away everything we built!”
“There’s nothing I built with you that I want,” I replied coldly. “Go home, Tommy. And don’t ever come looking for me again.”
His rage grew and grew, breaking through his careful crafted facade with every passing moment.
“This… This is assault,” he snarled, gesturing to his face. “Either come home with me or I’ll… I’ll have you arrested!”
I opened my mouth to reply, but another man stepped forward, one that I hadn’t been introduced to yet.
“Actually,” he said in a low Texas drawl, a hand going to his hip where there was a gun in its holster.
“If you don’t get the hell out of here, I’ll have you arrested.
” The man turned toward me, and I saw the sheriff badge on his chest. “We’ve got about forty witnesses here that saw this man force himself on you.
Would you like to press charges?” He gave me a knowing grin.
“Can’t imagine a movie studio wants the papers to find out about their new star havin’ a sexual assault charge, right? ”
Tommy’s face paled at the sheriff’s words. I watched the color drain from his perfect features, his mouth opening and closing like a fish out of water as he realized the trap he’d just walked into.
“I... I didn’t...” he stammered, backing away slightly. His hand was still pressed to his bleeding nose, blood staining his expensive shirt cuff.
“Yes,” I said firmly, surprising myself with how steady my voice sounded. “I want to press charges.”
Diego’s hand squeezed my shoulder, and I could feel his pride radiating through that simple touch. The sheriff nodded, already reaching for his handcuffs.
“Wait!” Tommy held up his hands. “This is ridiculous! I flew all this way to bring him home, and this is how he treats me?” He looked around desperately, seeking sympathy from the crowd of onlookers. “We’re together! We’ve been together for years!”
“Not anymore,” I said coldly. “And forcing yourself on someone is still assault, even if you used to date them.”
“I did not force myself—”
“I saw it with my own eyes,” Dolly interrupted, stepping forward with fire in her gaze. “You grabbed my nephew without his consent. And I’ll testify to that.”
Murmurs of agreement rippled through the diner. Tommy’s eyes darted around, finally registering that he was surrounded by people who were firmly on my side.
“Fine,” he spat, taking another step back. “Keep your pathetic little life in this backwater town. When you’re ready to stop playing cowboy and come back to reality, don’t call me.”
“Trust me,” I replied, “I won’t.”
The sheriff moved closer. “You’ve got about ten seconds to get out of my town before I change my mind about those handcuffs.”
Tommy glared at me one last time, then turned and stormed out of the diner, slamming the door behind him. The bell jingled angrily in his wake.
For a moment, the diner remained silent. Then Dolly stepped forward, putting her arm around my shoulders.
“You okay, sugar?” she asked softly.
I nodded, suddenly aware that my hand was throbbing. I flexed my fingers, wincing slightly. “I think I might have broken something.”
Diego gently took my hand in his, examining my already swelling knuckles. “Might’ve,” he agreed, his voice a mixture of concern and admiration. “But damn, Freckles, that was one hell of a right hook.”
A laugh bubbled up from somewhere deep inside me, unexpected but genuine. The tension that had been building in my chest since Tommy walked in began to dissolve.
“I’ve never hit anyone before,” I admitted, looking down at my reddened knuckles with a strange sense of accomplishment.
“Well, you picked a mighty fine time to start,” the sheriff said, tipping his hat to me.
“I’m Marcus Webb, by the way. I’ll have you come down to the station and make a statement after Christmas just in case that little asshole decides to show up again.
” He glanced back toward the door, grinning to himself.
“But I doubt he’s gonna come back after a punch like that. ”
“Thanks,” I said to Sheriff Webb, still a bit dazed from what had just happened. The adrenaline was starting to wear off, and I could feel the throbbing in my hand getting worse. “I’ll definitely come by after Christmas.”
Diego’s arm wrapped protectively around my waist, pulling me close against his side. “Let me see that hand again,” he murmured, gently taking my injured fingers in his. His touch was tender as he examined my swollen knuckles. “We should probably get some ice on this.”
“I’ve got some in the back,” Dolly said, already heading toward the kitchen. “And a first aid kit.”
The music had started up again, the party slowly returning to normal as people went back to their conversations and dancing, though I could still feel curious glances being cast our way. I leaned into Diego’s solid warmth, suddenly exhausted.
“You handled that like a champ,” he whispered against my temple, pressing a soft kiss there. “I’m so damn proud of you.”
“I can’t believe I actually hit him,” I said, still processing what had happened. “And in front of everyone.”
“Trust me, everyone here is glad you did.” Diego’s eyes were warm with admiration. “Including me, though I was about two seconds away from doing it myself.”
“I know you were.” I smiled up at him. “I could feel you practically vibrating with the effort of holding back.”
“Nobody gets to disrespect you like that,” he said, his voice low and serious. “Not while I’m around.”
Dolly returned with an ice pack wrapped in a dish towel and handed it to me. “Here you go, sugar. This should help with the swelling.”
I pressed the ice to my knuckles, wincing at the initial sting before the cold started to numb the pain. “Thanks, Aunt Dolly.”
“That ex of yours is lucky all he got was a bloody nose,” she muttered, her eyes still flashing with anger. “The nerve of him, showing up here like that.”
“I can’t believe my mom gave him my address,” I said, the betrayal stinging almost as much as my hand. “After everything I told her about him.”
“Your mama always did have more beauty than brains,” Dolly sighed. “But don’t you worry about that. I’m gonna call her tomorrow and give her a piece of my mind.”
I nodded, feeling more than a little justified that Dolly was gonna give my mother the business. “I just hope he’s gone for good,” I said, glancing toward the door as if Tommy might reappear at any moment.
Diego’s arm tightened around me. “If he comes back, I’ll punch his fuckin’ lights out.” He pulled me closer, wrapping me in those strong arms once more. “You and me are in this for the long run. I love you so much, Freckles.”
“I love you too, Diego,” I replied, leaning into him. “More than anything.”