Chapter 8
Darius
Iwalk in the door of the diner and like a heat-seeking missile my gaze locks on my girl.
But then my eyes narrow and anger curls up my belly and runs up my throat like lava, choking me.
She’s sitting with a man. Or a boy. He’s probably a year or so younger than us. But I guess that most women would call him good-looking. He’s got golden hair and bright blue eyes. Like an angel.
My spine stiffens when I notice how straight her back is. How she’s tugging at her fingers and the asshole across from her is holding on so tight it’s a wonder that he’s not breaking her fingers.
Rage roars in me and I stalk across the floor, my eyes locked on my prey like he’s my next meal.
“I’m telling you, Byron. I don’t date. I’ve got too much to do with my classes and work. I don’t have time to date.”
“Come on, Harp,” he whines. “You know that you want to go out with me. Why fight it?”
“Because the lady doesn’t want to go out with you and you’re being a raging dick right now.” I reach across and jerk at his hand until he drops her hand. “Are you alright, angel?”
“Who the fuck are you?” he hisses, nursing his aching fingers. I hope I broke one of them.
“I’m her best friend. And I can tell when she wants to talk to someone or sit with someone. You ain’t that guy.”
“And you think you are?” he huffs.
“I think I’m more welcome than you are. Maybe you should move your sorry ass before I kick it.”
“Who the hell do you think you are?” he hisses.
“Do you have memory problems? I just told you.” I slide into the booth with Harper. I glance over at her and reach out to touch her narrow shoulder. “You alright?”
She nods but there’s something tight in her eyes and I can see fear lurking there.
I turn back to the idiot. “Get out,” I grit out between clenched teeth. He opens his mouth and I growl. “And don’t ask the same damn question again. Just leave.”
He stands up and huffs. He glances over at my girl and she shrinks back into the corner. I don’t like it. “This isn’t over.”
“It really is. If you don’t move, I’m going to call the sheriff.”
He huffs and stomps over to the counter where the waitress has packed his food up and hands it to him. His cheeks go pink when she glares at him and his lips tighten.
He glances around and then stomps out the door and it feels like the air visibly lightens when he steps out of the room.
I glance over at Harper. “That guy has a few screws loose.”
She chokes and then grins at me. “Yeah. I think he does.”
“Why did you let him sit down then?” I ask her, leaning back when she glares at me.
“Are you kidding me? I didn’t want anything to do with that asshole. He just plopped himself down and grabbed my hand.”
I nod. But my heart slams in my ribs. I turn and watch the guy leaving. I don’t like the way he looked at my angel and the way his lips tightened like he was barely hanging on.
He seemed dangerous. I don’t like dangerous around my girl.
I turn back to her and give the waitress my order. I grin at her as the woman leaves. “So…how have you been since this morning? I mean, besides the crazy stalker.l
“Yeah, I think that was enough,” she huffs and then she sits back and laughs and my heart lightens at the joy in her eyes.
“So how did things go with Monroe today?”
I snort. “That guy doesn’t know one end of a claw hammer to another.”
“Yeah. He was a cop. I don’t think home repairs is really his thing.”
“I got that idea when he kept dropping the nails. I think he almost stepped on two of them and then he tripped over the saw.”
She snorts out loud. “Next time you better get video. I need blackmail material the next time those two go at it while I’m on the phone with Fee.”
I grin and cross my arms. “I think I can do that for you.”
She grins a wide, evil smile. “I think I’m gonna like having you back.”
My heart skitters. It’s nothing that earthshaking on the face of it. But it’s a start. It’s something to build on. And who knows what can happen next?