Page 4 of Paxton

Fresh tears well in her eyes as she shakes her head. “I don't know what to do,” she says again, then flinches as the party going on next door heightens, someone banging on the wall that connects their two units.

“I’ll tell you what you're going to do,” I say, no room for argument in my voice. “You're going to go pack your bags right now, get everything that's absolutely necessary for the next few days, okay?”

“Pax, I don't want to be a burden?—”

“You’renevera burden,” I say firmly. “I have plenty of room at my house. It's quiet and safe. You'll have the space to think.”

She seems hesitant, but nods. “I'll go pack.”

“Good girl,” I say, and it earns a broken laugh from her.

I wait until she disappears down the hall and into her room, and then I'm out the door and pounding on Liam’s so hard I know he can hear me over the music.

One of his friends, Darrell, opens it, and I immediately shove past the prick, my eyes on Liam who is across the living room. The layout is the same as Monroe’s, only reversed.

“Who the fuck invited you?” Liam asks as I stomp toward him.

I don't bother answering. I grab his shirt and shove him against the nearest wall.

“You're a fucking asshole,” I snap. He struggles against my hold but can't break free. “You left her there, you piece ofshit. And now you're pulling this music bullshit?” I shake my head, making sure he can see every ounce of rage in my eyes. “You come near her again, eventhinkabout talking to her again, and I'll fucking kill you.”

Hands wrap around me from behind, yanking me backward, but I push one of his friends off, fastening him with a warning look that says I won't hesitate to rip his head off too.

Liam holds his hand up at his friends, and they back off as Liam smooths down his shirt. “You need to calm down. Monroe practically begged me to leave tonight,” he says. “We all know you have a hard-on for her, but she's never going to look at you that way. Don't take that shit out on me.”

His friends laugh, and I roll my eyes.

“You're so fucking pathetic,” I say, not even phased by his comments. I step into his space again, anger rattling down to my very bones. “I promise you,” I say. “Hurt her again, and I'll ruin you.”

Worry flares in his eyes for just a second, likely remembering the fact that I've been a Badger a lot longer than he has, and I havewaymore pull with Coach, not to mention the owner. But honestly his position on our team is the last thing he needs to be worried about. Especially when I want to knock his teeth out.

“Fuck off,” Liam says, shaking his head. “Get the hell out of my place.”

“Gladly,” I say, my message delivered as I head out the door.

I carry Monroe’s three heavy bags to my car, and she’s silent but calm as she gets in.

We make it back to my house in no time, and I put all her things in the guest room that's next to mine. She takes a minute to change into PJ's and wash her face but joins me on the couch after she's done.

“Don't you want to lay down?” I ask as she sits close to me, our thighs touching.

“Can I just stay with you for a little bit?” she asks, tucking her knees up to her chest and turning toward me.

I move my arm, and she leans her head against my chest, sighing deeply.

“Of course,” I say. “Want me to turn something on?”

She nods, and I reach for the remote, turning on one of the documentaries I'd been watching before she called.

It hasn't even been ten minutes before she falls asleep in my arms. I hold her, not daring to move when I know how exhausted she is.

The urge to kill Liam creeps up all over again.

CHAPTER 2

MONROE

My eyelids areheavy as I pull them back, blinking a few times to reorient myself with my surroundings.

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