32. Beau #3
“And that’s the power of the internet,” Ethan says. “We’re watching a man being ruined in real time.”
I scan the room quickly, wanting eyes on Chad. I need to see how, and if, he realizes what’s going on. The problem is, I don’t see Chad.
And I don’t see Shelby.
“Shit.” Stuffing my phone back in my pocket, I make a beeline out of the room.
I know she can hold her own—hell, she can probably throw a punch better than I can—but that’s not stopping me from sprinting all over, looking around every corner trying to find her.
I don’t know what Chad will do, but I do know that even though I’m quoted in there too, he won’t go after me.
He’s a weasel. A weak man who can’t hold up the talk he talks.
And even though he should be more worried about Shelby than he should be of me, he still thinks the misogyny of small-town Louisiana is his upper hand when it comes to her.
That man might be dumber than I thought.
I turn down an empty hallway to hear words that send ice down my spine.
“How dare you say those things about me! You fucking whore!”
Oh he did not just call my wife that.
I clock Chad’s voice and turn around, racing the other way toward voices that become closer and closer with every step I take.
“What? The truth!” she screams. “Show me the lie, Chad. Go ahead. Oh, wait. You can’t.”
When I get eyes on the two of them, he has Shelby pressed against a wall, but she’s not cowering in any way. Oh no. Shelby’s in his face, aggressively pressing her finger into his sternum. She is not backing down.
Little does she know, she’s about to get some backup.
“You slandered my name!” he yells. “You knew the grip worked. You didn’t give it a shot. How dare you call me a shitty teacher.”
He’s mad about that but not talking about how he was inappropriately touching her? Weird battle to pick, Chadwick.
“Slander means lies. I told the truth. Deal with it. You fucking suck as a coach. What’s the matter? Worried your client base is going to dry up?”
“No. Because no one is going to believe a fucking bitch like you over me.”
“Ha!” Shelby scoffs. “You’re fucking pathetic.
My game got better the second I stopped listening to you.
When I didn’t have to do your fucking weird-ass grip to appease your ego or listen to your voice that still sounds like you’re going through puberty.
Also, most people would be angrier that I accused them of sexual harassment rather than being a shitty coach.
Interesting you’re not. Or is it because I’m not the only one who’s accused you? What’s up with that, Chadwick?”
I don’t know if it’s the accusations or the fire Shelby is showing that’s pissing Chad off right now. No matter the trigger, she’s setting him off, and I watch him grab her wrists, trying to pin her against the wall.
Oh, absolutely the fuck not.
“Get your fucking hands off my wife. Now.”
My steps are long and quick, and before I know it, I’m ripping Chad off of Shelby, all but throwing him into the opposite wall. “Don’t you dare touch her. Ever. Again.”
Chad’s breathing heavy and his eyes are wide, likely wondering where the hell I just came from.
“Still trying to make everyone believe you two are a happy couple?” he asks, adding a villainous laugh as he tries to stand back up. “You two are nothing but fakes. Always have been, always will be. And I’m going to prove it to everyone.”
I know Shelby can hold her own against him—she’s done it before and she did it now—but I haven’t had another chance to tell this piece of literal garbage what I think of him. And I think now is the best time.
“Listen here, you puny little fuck,” I say, planting my foot against his chest and pushing him back to the ground.
“We’re done here. You’re never to speak to us again.
You will never interfere in our lives. If you’re smart, you’ll move back to Louisiana and have dear old dad try to get you a job at Willowmere.
After today, I’m guessing that’s the only place that will take you.
I hear they don’t mind when Ashcrofts play fast and loose there. ”
I make sure to look him dead in the eye with that one, and there’s no question he knows exactly what I’m talking about.
“Leave, Chad. Go and hide. Never come back out. Because if you do, you won’t have a moment of peace. I’ll guarantee that.”
I push my foot into him one more time before easing off, trying to calm my breaths as Chad curls himself into the fetal position.
“Beau?”
I turn to Shelby, who’s still leaning against the wall. “Belle…are you okay?” She quickly nods as I inspect her wrists. A little red, but nothing that will leave a mark you’ll be able to see after a few hours. “I’m sorry. I tried to find you. Warn—”
She shakes her head, putting her finger against my lips. “That was, by far, the hottest thing I have ever seen in my life. And, dear husband, if you don’t have me in our hotel room in the next five minutes, I’m going to suck your dick where everyone can see.”
Oh. Well then.
I should beat people up more often.