Page 71 of Habits

My teeth grit tight. So tight I’m sure I can hear them breaking.

I outstretch my hand–close, so close—wrapping it around her wrist and pulling her away.

Away from him and into my open arms.

“Get your fucking hands off of her!” I growl low at him.

Her body stiffens, then relaxes, then stiffens again, but she doesn’t back away.

Ethan seems startled for a second, but soon regains his wits. His lips curl in a smug smile. “Hill, long time no see.”

His voice is all cheer, loud enough to draw attention from the people standing close by.

“To see you never again in my life would be way too soon,” I whisper just loud enough for him to hear me.

He chuckles, well aware of the fact. If there’s one person I hate in this world more than my old man, it’s this douche.

Jeanette’s hand wraps around mine that’s still holding her wrist, her thumb drawing little circles on my skin.

Calm and soothing.

“I see you’ve met my date.” His sleazy eyes go back to Jeanette, taking her in.

I press my lips into a tight line, doing my best to resist his taunt. I know what he’s doing and I’m not going to fall for it, not today anyway. No matter how hard I have to try.

He’ll cross my path soon enough, probably on the ice, and then all bets are off.

His eyes linger on our hands. Still touching. Just barely, but enough for him to notice.

I break the contact, taking a step around her and coming toe-to-toe with Ethan.

“You stay the hell away from her.” I speak so low I’m sure not even Jeanette can hear me. “Fair and only warning, Williams. If you touch her again, hell, if you come within a five-mile radius of her, I’m breaking every bone in your body.”

Without waiting for his response, I turn around, grab Jeanette’s hand and start pulling her out of there.

Away from him.

Away from all of them.

Jeanette

“Andrew, stop!” I pant, trying to get my hand out of his hold.

After he said, or more like threatened, Ethan, he took my hand in his and started to break through the crowd that gathered around us. Oh, they were all politely minding their own business, but you could see them lean just a bit to the side, their ears carefully listening to everything spoken so they have something to gossip about during dessert.

These people live and breathe drama like this.

Andrew’s steps are long as he conquers the distance with determination, pulling me behind him. My legs, still slightly wobbly from the way Ethan touched me and the whole encounter between the two of them, trip over each other.

What the hell was that anyway? I’ve never seen Andrew so … angry before.

He’s usually cold, hiding behind his snarky remarks and sarcasm. Yes, he has a temper, but he usually saves it for the ice instead of unleashing it outside the rink, but right now he’s furious.

He stops suddenly, his hands leaving mine, rubbing his face before they run through his hair, dark strands sticking out in every direction.

“What the hell happened in there?” I ask, my hand waving in the general direction of the building behind us.

My whole body shudders with cold, and I realize that we’re outside in the cold and snow, and the only thing I’m wearing is my light dress.

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