Chapter 18 #2
“Dumb ass frat boy is gonna get himself killed. Doesn’t he realize Breaker is like, at least a foot taller than him with about a hundred pounds on him, too?
What a fucking idiot,” I mumble to Ember.
I see a smirk on the frat boy’s face and watch him mouth something that has Breaker tightening his fists at his side.
Eli and Everett flank him on either side, Rory safeguarded behind a wall of pure muscle.
I catch her attention and motion for her to come towards Ember and I.
She turns our way, only taking one step before the frat boy says something that sends Breaker’s fist flying into his jaw.
The sharp crack of bone is so loud you can hear it over the music and chatter.
Rory’s hands fly up to cover her mouth in surprise.
Eli and Everett bow up behind Breaker, both looking just as murderous.
They’re daring the other preppy, popped collar jocks to make a move.
As if sensing they won’t win that fight, none of them do.
They just scoop their buddies up from the floor and push him into the men’s bathroom, one of them holding up his hands in defense when Breaker tries to follow.
Eli places a hand on Breaker’s shoulder, shaking him from whatever stupor had him knocking somebody out cold just for daring to touch Rory.
Oh yeah, he’s totally not interested in her. Sure.
“Oh my god, that did not just happen,” Rory says, rushing to Ember and I as we wait for the guys.
“What the fuck, Rory? What did that guy want?” I ask, still pissed that the frat boy had the balls to put his hands on her.
“He was asking me for my number, flirting or whatever, but obviously wasted. When I said no, he smacked my ass! So I slapped him, but when I tried to walk away, he grabbed my arm. Before I knew what was happening, Breaker was right there, pulling me away.” Rory says, staring at Breaker from across the room like he hung the fucking moon.
Ember and I give each other a knowing look, smirking at the puppy dog eyes Rory is sporting right now.
“He just… defended your honor or some shit,” Ember says with her eyes wide. Rory bites her lip to keep her smile hidden.
“Well, that’s enough excitement for one night,” Elijah says, the guys following behind him. “Lets get out of here.”
Before we can make it to the door, Breaker pushes through the crowd. Anger radiates off him in waves, as if he’s mad he let his true feelings show. Rory chases after him, leaving the four of us behind.
“Well, well, well. I guess you’re all gonna end up locked down soon, huh?” I say, smirking at Everett, who looks utterly confused.
“What? Rory and Break? No fucking way. He’s practically old enough to be her dad!” Everett says, and I smack him in the chest hard.
“Shut up! He is not! And even if he was, who cares? She obviously doesn’t mind, so it shouldn’t matter,” I say with conviction. I see warring emotions on Elijah’s face, but he doesn’t say anything.
We push through the front doors into the cool night air and I shiver, the breeze skating across my skin, leaving goosebumps in its wake.
Everett’s warm palms brush up and down my arms, attempting to warm me up.
We see Rory standing at the edge of the sidewalk, yelling something to Breaker over the sound of the pipes on his motorcycle.
He doesn’t look at her, though. His eyes are fixed on the road ahead of him.
If I didn’t know any better, I’d say he was ignoring her.
But the way his hands tighten around the handle bars gives him away.
He pulls out of the parking lot without giving her a second look and she spins back to us in a huff, frustration written all over her face.
“That asshole! I’m riding home with you guys,” she says, not waiting for us to follow before she storms over to Everett’s truck and leans against the door with her arms crossed.
“Maybe I should talk to her,” Eli says, but Ember places a hand on his arm.
“Let her be. There’s nothing you can say to fix the situation if he doesn’t want it to be fixed, babe.
” Ember says, her voice calm and sympathetic.
Eli has always been his sister’s protector, so I’m sure it’s upsetting to see her so perturbed.
“We’ll talk to you guys tomorrow,” Ember gives me a tight hug and whispers in my ear, “Don’t let her go to sleep that angry.
” I give her an inconspicuous nod and pull away as she moves on to hug her brother.
Rory, Everett, and I pile into his truck for the drive home.
The silence stretches between us. The only sounds in the cab are small sniffles coming from Rory in the backseat.
I hate that she’s hurting. She’s been such an amazing friend to me since my attack and I wish I could take away her pain the way she has for me.
Pulling into the driveway, Everett barely puts the truck in park before she’s out the door and rushing inside.
I fight the urge to chase after her, knowing she needs her space to decompress from tonight’s events.
“Well, that was eventful,” Everett scoffs, and laughter bubbles from my lips.
“Ya think?” I push my hair out of my face, taking a deep breath and leaning my head against the back of the seat.
“You really think Breaker is in to Rory?” He asks and I roll my eyes at his naivety.
“Yeah babe, it’s so obvious. He just doesn’t think he should be, I’m sure.” I reply.
“I don’t get that. Just do what you wanna do, ya know? We’re all adults here. Whats the big deal?” He asks, and I shrug.
“I don’t know. But I know exactly what I wanna do,” I say, giving him a sly, sexy smile. Heat flares in his eyes and he’s out of the truck, opening my door, and pushing me into the house before I can even object. Not that I would.