Page 2 of Nova

My eyes flip to the douche who has the audacity to smirk.

“Well, yeah. We’ve been switching on our girls since high school. But tonight was the last time, I swear!” Is he fucking serious?

This man gives men a bad nane. If I weren’t a twin myself, I wouldn’t have known what he meant. Thank God Mav and I never did that shit. Our mama raised gentleman.

Suddenly, the woman, Simone, I believe he called her, slaps him so hard that the sound echoes across the bar.

“Simone,“ he rubs his jaw as she works the ring off her finger and throws it at his chest. It bounces and rolls under a nearby table.

She was going to marry him!

“Sir, I think you should get that and leave.” I stand and flex my muscles to loosen my shoulders.

“Stay out of this!” He hisses in my face, and I smile.

“Do I need to call the cops?” The bartender asks as he sets her wine glass down.

“Yes.” Her voice says.

“No,” Tyler hisses in my face before she can finish talking.

I lean into Tyler and whisper not so quietly, so she can hear every word.

“Tyler, is it? From what I just heard, you admitted to letting your brother rape your ex-fiancee. I’d take the ring and find a good attorney.” Tyler’s face drains of all color.

“Oh god.” Her voice sounds off, and I glance to see her stumble and grab the bar.

Tyler reaches for her, but before I can stop him, her voice sounds out strong.

“DON’T FUCKING TOUCH ME!” Her scream forces him to back away slowly, with his palms up.

He grabs the diamond ring off the floor and looks at her before turning for the door. Before he leaves, he yells four words in her direction that make me want to commit murder.

“You aren’t worth it.” The door slams, leaving the bar quiet.

She takes her wine and drains the glass.

“Another,” She calls out and sits down quickly as if she’s afraid her legs will give out.

“Thank you,” I incline my head at her.

“Nothing any decent human being wouldn’t do. Sorry, your night has been so horrible. Maybe I can help turn it around.” I smile at her.

“How?” The skepticism on her face is all the challenge I need.

“Play a game with me. It’s easy. Just forget him.” I point over my shoulder at the door.

“So, pretend like that didn’t happen?” She nods at the bartender, who’s pouring her wine, and then grabs his wrist.

“Just leave it.” He hesitates for a moment and then does as she commands.

“If your life was different and you walked into this bar and saw me sitting here alone, what would you ask me?” I turn my body to face her fully.

“I don’t know. Probably something boring and normal.” I chuckle and wave her on.

“Seriously?” I nod, hardly able to wait for her to speak again.

“What do you do for a living?” I smirk and think of my answer carefully.

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