Page 97 of Don't Go Faking My Heart

The problem is, when Philip is backed into a corner, like a dog, he'll attack.

And out here in the parking lot, Philip has reached his corner.

"You two think your little social media blitz can compare with the money my family can drop on this town?"

I scoff. "I think your grandpa didn't get rich by listening to the advice of a senior director who only got the job because you share a last name."

Rusty snorts. "Well said."

"Right? It just came to me in a wave of brilliance."

He shakes with laughter, puts an arm around me, and then kisses me softly. His lips are soft and salty from the peanuts we were eating while waiting for the show. I lick my lips when he breaks away. "Mmm. Add a bit of jelly, and you got yourself a sandwich there, babe."

"A cheese sandwich, maybe."

I laugh. "What do you mean, cheese? That was funny!"

"It was corny. Don't get me wrong, I like it. But it was corny."

"Of course you like corn, Farm Boy," I tease. We've already turned around and are going back up the stairs to the bar when a hand grabs my arm. Hard.

"Hey!" I yell at Philip, who pulls me back.

In a flash, Rusty wheels around and drives his fist into Philip's face. Philip releases me and drops like a rock.

He clutches his face, and blood drips through his fingers. "You broke my nose!"

"Don't you ever touch her again."

"I'll sue you for this. I'll take everything!"

"Yet he’s the one who has a witness," Patty says. "And I saw a sniveling weasel try to assault a woman?—"

"I didn't assault her!"

"And her brave boyfriend defended her," Patty says.

"You'll be hearing from my lawyer!" Philip says, getting up and running to his car.

"And you'll be hearing from the state troopers, because you already had four beers and a shot," Patty yells.

Philip seems to consider this. And then he unlocks his rental and jumps in.

Patty and Rusty spring into action. They sprint at full speed and yank the door open before Philip can put it in drive.

Rusty's there first, and he grabs Philip by the shirt and pulls him out on his butt, the car still running. Patty looks like he wants to tear Philip’s head off, but surprisingly, Rusty’s the one to pat his chest.

“It’s okay, man,” Rusty says. Patty pants and stares murderously at Philip, but he nods.

"Well, well, well," a voice says behind me. It's Rusty's bouncer-cop friend, Walt. "Looks like y'all are heroes. I'll take it from here," he says.

Philip cowers on the ground. "What are you gonna do, beat me up?"

"What? Oh, you think I'm an enforcer for the bar?" Walt laughs hard. "Brother, I'm an off duty cop, and you parked right in front of me." He sniffs a laugh. "Who tries to drive drunk parked next to a cop car?"

"I wasn't trying to drive!" Philip cries. "I was going to sleep it off. They're lying!"

"Oh dear. That's a serious accusation. Let's check my dash cam."

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