Page 22 of Betrayed

“Blake, are you okay?” I turned just enough so I could see them both, my body positioned between them.

“I’m fine,” she answered, irritation and gratitude sharing space in her expression.

“Who the fuck are you?” the guy asked with as much bravado as he could muster while looking up at me.

We both knew he wouldn’t challenge me.

“Her bodyguard.” Fuckface’s voice dripped with disdain.

I should learn his name.Nah, Fuckface suited him.

“Sorry, Stan,” Blake apologized, though she shouldn’t have. He was the one who should be apologizing. I considered forcing the issue, but it wasn’t my place, so I let it go.

“No worries.” Stan, not that I gave two fucks about knowing his name, leaned on the back of the chair and asked her out. Like I wasn't still standing there.

Discomfort radiated off her. How fucking self-absorbed was this guy that he didn’t notice? And why weren’t her friends stepping in to help her?

“I, um, don’t think that’s a good idea right now.” She glanced at me.

“Him?” he asked, ignoring my death stare and looming presence. “Ditch him,” Stan said with a smile so slimy it’d make a used car salesman look honest.

“I can’t,” Blake answered without looking at him.

“Time for you to go, Stan.” I shifted, so I was between them again.

Stan tried to step around me. “Blake?”

Dude wasn’t used to hearing the word no. I shifted, blocking his access. He didn’t deserve to be in her presence, let alone look at her.

“You should go,” she whispered from behind me.

He looked at me before saying, “Fine. Whatever.” Blake's shoulders relaxed as he stormed off.

Ignoring the looks and comments from her friends, I asked Blake, “Are you ready to go?”

“But we haven’t finished lunch yet,” Paige said, sounding nervous.

“I’m not hungry anymore,” Blake answered.

“But you said you’d buy us lunch,” Fuckface whined.

I really don’t like this guy. My gut told me he was using her, and I didn’t understand what Blake saw in him. As far as I couldtell, he was an awful friend and a leech.I wonder if he’s ever asked her out.

“Right, sorry, Danny.”

Knowing his name wouldn’t stop me from calling him Fuckface.

She reached into her purse, pulled out her wallet, and put some cash on the table. At a quick glance, it looked like enough to cover all three lunches and another round of drinks.

“It’s raining. Can we get a ride back with you?” Fuckface asked.

Blake’s eyes flicked in my direction; her silent plea for help loud and clear.

“I’m sorry.” I had to stop myself from calling him Fuckface. “That’s not allowed.” I was happy to take the blame, so she didn’t have to.

“We’ll go out when this is all over. Okay?” Blake asked. I hated how sad and small she sounded.Fucking assholes.

“Okay,” Paige said. She wasn’t nearly as bad as Fuckface. I had a feeling he intimidated her, because she’d looked apologetic a few times, but her expression always changed after looking at him.

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