Chapter 17
Olivia
The doorbell rang as Olivia finished her yoga practice. Some days she joined Connor in his workouts, but he’d worked out at the rink that afternoon. The Connors, Daisy, Roxie, and Toma were coming over for family dinner. She didn’t rush to answer the front door because they would let themselves in.
She wiped sweat off her forehead with the bottom of her ratty old t-shirt and was about to go to her bathroom to wash her face when Connor yelled for her.
So much for greeting their guests fresh-faced and dressed decently. She sighed and opened her bedroom door, going in search of him.
He stood in front of the open door, leaning heavily on the cane he’d recently ditched his crutches for, blocking her view. Olivia trotted down the hallway and placed a hand on his back. He shifted so she could see around him, but still placed his body between her and their guest.
“Fuck,” she said.
She snatched her hand away from Connor’s back.
Then she put it back because there was nothing going on between them, and if there were, it would be none of Lance’s business.
She stepped forward to place herself side-by-side with Connor and reminded herself to keep her chin up.
Lance wouldn’t make her feel small and insignificant ever again.
Her ex glared at her. “Yeah, fuck,” he said, mocking her.
“What are you doing here?” She’d hoped to never see him again.
“We need to talk.”
Connor, bless his heart, tried to provide comfort and safety, and escalated the situation. He wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her close in a protective embrace. “She doesn’t want to talk to you.”
Olivia grimaced. She patted Connor’s chest with her free hand. “You’re right, but she can speak for herself,” she said.
Connor whispered in her ear, so low she almost missed it, “Should I go?”
She shook her head.
Lance’s face grew red as he watched their exchange, and Olivia could see his temper flaring. “You said you weren’t fucking him.”
She refused to dignify the accusation with a response. “What do you want?”
“You need to come home. I’m tired of waiting.”
Connor’s fingers tightened on her waist. The audacity of this fucking man.
“I am home.”
“We’re having a baby. Your home is where your family is.”
Olivia’s stomach dropped. “You’re having a baby. How is that my responsibility?”
Lance’s fists clenched so tightly his knuckles turned white. A vein throbbed in his neck. “You’re barren. How else was I supposed to build us a family?”
She turned wide eyes to Connor, who shared her dumbstruck expression, confirming she’d accurately heard him.
“Dude, that’s fucked up,” Connor said.
Olivia was stunned speechless.
“You can fuck right off. This is none of your business.” Lance’s voice rose.
“No, you can fuck right off,” Connor said. “You have no right to come to my house and raise your voice at my guests. And using Livy’s infertility as an excuse for your dipshit behavior is disgusting. You cheated. You ruined your relationship. And now you need to leave.”
She couldn’t help the small smile playing at the corners of her mouth. As a kid Connor had such a temper. Ten years ago he would have led with his fists instead of voicing his anger. This interaction fucking sucked, but she was proud of him. And thankful she had him to stick up for her.
“I’m not going anywhere without my fiancée.” Lance reached for her and grabbed her hand. He tried to pull her away from Connor, but she stood her ground and yanked her hand free from his grasp.
Connor shifted to place his body in front of her again, despite the fact that he must be getting fatigued. “You will not lay another finger on her without her consent.”
“I’m not going anywhere with you, Lance. And I’m sure as hell not your fiancée. Leave, please.”
Valentine’s car pulled into the driveway. He parked, but didn’t get out.
Embarrassment made Olivia’s blood run cold. If Lance didn’t leave soon, everybody would know her business. Would know she’d spent years of her life with a man who treated her like trash.
Lance invaded Connor’s space, their chests brushing. Valentine got out of his car.
“I won’t stand by and let you turn me into a simpering cuck.”
“It’s a little late to be worried about that,” Connor said.
Fucking hell. Olivia knew he meant it was too late because she and Lance weren’t in a relationship anymore. But she also knew how Lance would take it.
Before she could react, Lance’s fist collided with Connor’s face.
She let out a startled scream and steadied Connor as he wobbled. His nose gushed blood.
Valentine, who had tried to intercept them before the violence started, pulled Lance off the porch by the collar of his shirt. When they were several feet away, he let go and placed himself between Lance and the door.
Olivia didn’t know whether to focus on Connor’s fresh injury or Valentine and Lance.
Lance threw elbows trying to get past Valentine to charge them again. “You’re too scared to fight your own battles?” he screamed.
Valentine said, “He doesn’t have to,” and decked Lance, who fell to the ground.
Lance clutched his face and yelled nonsense about calling the police. Olivia was way ahead of him. It would not be the peaceful, fun evening she imagined.
The police took forever to arrive, but luckily Lance had run away as soon as Olivia called them.
Probably a smart move on his part. She worried about Valentine getting into trouble, but it was self-defense, so the cop only recorded statements and directed Olivia to file for a restraining order.
She planned to the first chance she got.