Page 33 of Boots & Scars

"Well, I was going to marry the man," Ashley said, crossing her arms over her chest. "I'd say that means I know him a little bit better than you do. Seeing as how beautiful you are, I'd say he's taking advantage of a situation."

"Ashley," I growled, my patience wearing thin.

"With all due respect,ma'am, you're wrong," Everly said, her tone unwavering.

Ashley's eyes narrowed, her lips pressing into a thin line. The tension in the air was palpable, and I couldn't help but feel a sense of pride at the way Everly stood her ground.

But I also knew that Ashley wasn't one to back down easily. She had a way of twisting things, of making even the most innocent situations seem sordid.

I needed to end this before it escalated any further.

"Ashley, don't you have somewhere else to be?" I asked, my voice low and dangerous. "Like, oh I don't know, anywhere but here?"

She scoffed, tossing her hair over her shoulder. "I came to see you, Cooper. We need to discuss the settlement and getting me what I'm owed. But I can see you're busy with your new... friend."

The way she said 'friend' made my skin crawl. I knew exactly what she was implying, and it made me want to punch something.

"Yeah, I am," I said, stepping closer to Everly. "So why don't you run along and find someone else to bother? Especially since I don't owe you shit."

Ashley's eyes flashed with anger, but she didn't say anything else. With one last withering glare in Everly's direction, she turned on her heel and stalked away.

I let out a breath I didn't realize I'd been holding, the tension slowly easing from my shoulders.

"Fucking bitch," I muttered before turning to face Everly.

"You shouldn't call her that," Everly murmured, turning to look at me.

"And you should mind your own business," I snapped. I didn't need her jumping in to defend me.

"What?" Everly asked, looking at me with wide eyes. "I was just trying to?—"

"Help? Is that it?" I cut her off, my voice sharp. "Maybe you should just mind your own damn business. Not everyone needs your help."

She flinched at my harsh tone, hurt flashing across her face. I instantly regretted my words, but I couldn't take them back now.

She opened her mouth to retort, but I cut her off. "Go home, Everly. Put some ice on that."

Fuck, I was such an asshole.

I turned away before she could argue, stalking back behind the counter. I heard her huff of frustration, followed by the sound of her limping footsteps as she walked away.

I let out a breath I hadn't realized I'd been holding, running a hand over my face. What the hell was wrong with me? I shouldn't be touching her, shouldn't be feeling this pull towards her.

I needed to stay away, for both our sakes. Before I did something we'd both regret.

"Can I ask you a question?"

I looked down at Everly, annoyed that she was here, especially after how I treated her yesterday. Did she like pain? Was she too stupid to realize that she was being insulted?

"What?" I watched her, my patience already wearing thin.

"Where do you live?"

I furrowed my brow. "What kind of question is that?"

"Well, you're not a professor, are you? So, do you have an apartment somewhere? Or are you required to be in the teaching housing, regardless?" Her eyes were focused on her laces.

I sighed in exasperation. "If I answer, will you shut the fuck up for the rest of the time you're here?"

---