Page 80 of Prove Me Wrong
At least not right now.
“Take the little hussy then. She’s not worth it, anyway. You know how much I prefer girls with racks.”
My teeth grind to the point where they might snap apart as my veins fill with fire. I lift my arm and hit him square in the cheekbone.
Scott’s head flies backwards, and in a heartbeat, his friends move to get me. Knuckle blaring with pain, I push Mia into her Jason’s arms, narrowly avoiding a blow from Liam. Caleb comes for him, knocking Liam aside. I see Nathan handling Chris beside me. Unfocused, Scott hits me right in the gut.
Grunting, I bend over for a second. Scott smirks down at me, red blood trickling from his nose, preparing to make another move. Closing in on me, I kick my foot into his knee, and it makes a sickening crack. Scott falls to the timber floor, writhing in agony, and I can’t wipe the smirk from my face. I have waited years to teach him a lesson.
Liam comes for me again, but Caleb tackles him to the floor. Nathan has Chris in a tight headlock and Jason protectively stands in front of Mia as Scott grovels in pain.
Leering over him, my smirk falls, eyes glaring daggers into his. “Go before I bruise up your pretty-boy skin more,” I grunt out furiously. “Get out.”
Liam spits at me before slinging an arm under Scott’s and hauling his friend out of the pub. I then realise how much quieter it’s gotten in here.Music plays, but there’s barely any chatter or movement as all eyes watch us.
Chest heaving heavily, I spin to face Mia who’s vibrating all over, silver eyes flared and brimmed with tears when they lift to meet mine. Pale pink lips tremble as Mia stands like a shaking statue, unable to control her fear.
“Grey,” I whisper, heart cracking seeing her looking so frightened. Ivy and her friend’s approach us. I don’t want to scare Mia any more than she already is, so I hold out my arm, keeping everyone else away from her as she starts sucking in air.
Eyes focused on mine, fat tears slip down her rosy cheeks, and from the rate at which her chest is breathing, I can tell she’s about to panic.
Glancing at Nathan, who is watching her cautiously with Caleb and Jason, I grit, “I have to get her out of here.”
“Take the car,” he says, grabbing my keys off the floor and shoving them in my hand. “I’ll catch a ride with them. Go.”
Gripping them tightly, I turn back to Mia. Reaching for her, her blonde friend pushes her backwards, snapping at me, “You’re not taking her anywhere.”
Frowning, my jaw clenches when the blonde girl tries throwing her arms around Mia, who nudges her off.
“How do you know Mia?” I ground out. Grey comes towards me, and I pull her into my protective arms, heart pounding knowing that she feels more comfortable with me than her friend. She’s trembling, and her breaths are too short, like gulps. It’s only a matter of time before she starts hyperventilating and we need to be outside for that. I doubt she’d want to lose control here with all these people watching.
“She’s my friend,” the blondie supplies.
I scoff loudly, barely containing my rage. “Not anymore,” I grunt. “Stay away from her.”
Leading Mia towards the back entrance of the pub to give us some privacy, the door swings open into the alleyway behind the building. The air thick and cold, steam lifting off the damp pavement, I close it behind us.
Mia instantly gasps when the fresh night air hits her, inhaling deeper than she has in minutes, giving me some sort of relief.
I don’t let go of her, not wanting her to feel alone right now, waiting for her to calm down. I’ve had my fair share of panic attacks, remembering how they take over your whole body, fighting every instinct shooting through your mind. You can’t make sense of anything, and the thought of breathing normally again seems too far-fetched, that all you can do is wait for your pulse to stop drumming, body to cease shaking.
Head tipped against my chest; Mia’s shoulders shake as she gives into the tears. Crying into my chest, all I can do is wrap my muscular arms tighter around her, reminding her that I’m here. “You’re safe, Mia.” I murmur against her temple as she starts crumbling apart, trembling against me like she’s been doused in ice.
I know the feeling too well, and I know that all she needs right now is to know that she’s protected and to feel in control. And all I need to do is wait.
“Please don’t leave me.” Mia silently cries against the soft fabric of my top. I keep her against me, the heat of her body mixing with mine as we stand in the cool air, waiting for her to calm down.
“I’m not going anywhere.”
Chapter Thirty
MIA
My breathing is clipped as I sit in the passenger seat. Thick tears slide down my face as I try to control my shaking hands. It’s been a long time since I’ve broken down in public, but that manterrified me.
Shy girls are monsters in bed. I bet you’re a screamer. I want to hear you scream my name.
Scott’s foul words echo in my mind as Noah silently drives us back home. He hasn’t said anything since he sat me down and buckled me in. Occasionally, Noah would glance my way, but my blurry eyes wouldn't budge from the road in front of us. I didn’t want to see the look in his eyes, afraid he’ll finally realise how truly broken I am. How shattered my soul is. The moment he realised I’munfixable.
