Page 62 of A Brush with Love
“I don’t hear anyone laughing,” Harper said, locking eyes with Jeff’s, refusing to let him look away.
Harper stared at the human trash can for a moment longer, watching him squirm, before she turned back to Dan. Tensionradiated from his body, his narrowed, violent gaze focused on Jeff. Harper tugged at Dan’s hand, taking a step toward the door. He slipped his hand from her grasp.
With sharp strides, he moved to stand in front of Jeff, looking down on the smaller man. The room was frozen, all eyes locked on the confrontation. Jeff shrank under Dan’s gaze, beads of sweat forming on his upper lip. A muscle ticked in Dan’s jaw, but he was otherwise still. Harper realized she was holding her breath, once again unable to get air into her lungs.
Jeff swallowed audibly. “Listen, I didn’t mean any—”
Dan’s hands shot out, fisting in Jeff’s suit jacket and smashing his back against the wall.
“No, you listen, you piece of rat shit. If it makes you and your brother’s dick hard to make fun of me, be my guest. I don’t give a shit.” Dan’s voice was filled with controlled hate, and Travis slinked a few steps back, disappearing into the crowd.
“But you better keep Harper’s name out of your filthy fucking mouth or I will personally come to your house and feed your blond head up your asshole and make you tell me how it tastes. Does that sound fun to you?”
Jeff stared at him in trembling silence. Dan gave him a rough shake and Jeff’s head bounced against the wall.
“I asked you a question. Or are you too stupid to answer me?”
“N-no,” Jeff stuttered out.
“No, what?” Dan moved his face a centimeter from Jeff’s.
“No, that doesn’t sound fun.” Jeff’s voice cracked.
Dan stared at Jeff a moment longer, the chords of his neck taut and thick. Harper couldn’t think, couldn’t act. All she could do was watch.
“Leave. Her. Alone. Clear?”
Jeff nodded and Dan dropped him. Jeff crumpled, but Dan caught him by the neck of his coat and pulled him to standing, brushing at Jeff’s shoulders and straightening his wrinkled jacket.
Jeff relaxed a fraction as hushed murmurs filled the room. Harper sucked in a breath and looked down at her shaking hands. She hadn’t realized she’d been holding them in tight fists, red crescents marking her palms where her nails had dug into her flesh.
“Now, I would suggest that you flex your stomach,” Dan said calmly. Harper’s gaze shot back to them.
“What?”
Dan sighed and looked at Jeff as if he was the stupidest person he’d ever met. “Flex your stomach because I don’t want to be accused of sucker punching you.”
Jeff gaped in confusion, but Dan didn’t offer a third warning.
His arm moved in a blur, arcing back gracefully before giving a sharp thrust forward, driving firmly into Jeff’s stomach. Jeff let out a choked squeal and keeled over, gripping his torso.
Dan turned from the crumpled mess and stalked back toward Harper, adjusting his cuffs with sharp jerks. Without a word, he snatched up their coats and placed a hand on Harper’s back, guiding her to the door.
CHAPTER 20
DAN
There was too much space between them. Dan wanted to tuck Harper into his chest, kiss away the worried creases around her eyes, take her home and hold her all night.
Instead, he stayed rooted to the spot on the sidewalk, watching her retreat further and further into herself, back hunched and arms wrapped around her body as she looked at him.
“Are you okay?” he managed to ask.
She nodded and continued to stare.
“I’m sorry if I upset you,” he said, raking his hands through his hair.
“Upset me?” She blinked at him, eyes owlish and vulnerable.
