Page 62 of Common Grounds

Derek spits on the ground at my feet and turns his back on us, walking away. Violet looks like she’s ready to land a punch, too, but I shoot her a warning glare. We stand there in silence until we’re sure he’s long gone.

Violet lets out a low whistle. “Well, that was more excitement than I was expecting tonight.” She runs a hand through her hair. “You okay, Em?”

“Yeah.” I take in a sharp breath. “Trevor said I was worth all that.”

“He did,” Violet confirms.

“I should…” I trail off, looking toward the direction Mike drove.

“He probably took Trevor home, would be my guess,” Violet says suggestively. “He’s going to be in a world of hurt in an hour or so.”

I nod slowly. His place isn’t that far, and I remember exactly how to get there. “I’ll call you later, okay?”

Violet’s smile is wide and knowing as I turn on my heel and start walking in the direction of Trevor’s apartment.

Chapter twenty-four

Trevor

Mike peels out of his parking spot so fast, I’m surprised his tires don’t squeal on the road.

“We shouldn’t leave her alone with that asshole.” I uselessly twist in my seat to look behind us, but they’re well out of view.

“She’s not alone. Violet is with her.” Mike chuckles darkly. “I have a feeling that woman could land more punches than you. Besides, the last thing you need is someone calling the cops.”

I grumble something incoherent. I don’t like it, but he has a point. I shake out my right hand, pumping it open and closed a few times. I rub my knuckles, which causes me to suck in a breath through my teeth. “That fucking hurt,” I announce.

Mike chuckles. “You’ve never punched a guy before?”

“You know I haven’t.” I wiggle my fingers, hoping to relieve some of the pain.

“Well, that’s not the only thing that’s going to hurt once the adrenaline wears off. That guy landed some punches before we stepped in. What was his deal?” Mike turns the corner onto my street.

“That was Emery’s ex-husband,” I say.

Mike whistles. “Glad he’s an ex. What a douche.”

“Yeah.” I can already feel soreness starting to creep into my ribs. I shift in my seat and rub at a spot on my side. I wince. “I don’t think he broke anything,” I mutter.

“Nah, he didn’t have a chance. But you’re going to want some ibuprofen and ice pretty much immediately.”

I eye him sidelong as he parallel parks in front of my building. “You sound like you’re saying this from experience.”

He shrugs. “I go out a lot. Put a bunch of guys in a bar, and it’s bound to happen occasionally. You want me to come up? Tend to your wounds?”

“Don’t patronize me.” I grimace again as I shift to unclip my seatbelt.

“I’m not. I’m proud of you. That was epic.” Mike slowly bobs his head at the memory of the fight.

“Felt more stupid than epic,” I grumble.

“Fights like that always do. It’s not like in the movies,” he assures me.

I stare over the dashboard at the yellow streetlight. It flickers a few times before it brightens slightly. “Do you think she thought it was stupid?”

“Probably. A girl like that isn’t going to swoon over misplaced chivalry,” he muses.

I deflate. “A woman like that doesn’t need me to defend her honor.” I wince again at the pain in my side. It’s growing sharper by the minute. “He had her cornered in that booth. She looked like she was folding into herself as he insulted her. After watching her with that other guy when we first got there… I don’t know. Something snapped.”

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