Page 34 of Love is a Drum Beat
“Is that right?” Blake crossed his arms, his eyes narrowed. “Wait, I know you.”
“Doubtful.”
“No, I do.” He smirked. “You’re with Jo.” His smile widened. “That’s it. You’re the mystery man. Kudos to you for putting up with her, bro. That girl… she’s a lot. Good in—”
He didn’t get to finish his sentence before Dax’s fist cracked against Blake’s cheek.
Dax had never punched anyone in his life. His hands were too valuable to his career. But he wanted to do it again.
Blake lunged for him, his fist pummeling Dax’s face.
Adrenaline shot through Dax as the pain throbbed. “You hurt her.” He shoved Blake back against the shelves. “She deserves so much more than you.”
Blake took another run at him, grabbing Dax by the shirt. “You’re a nobody. I could sue Jo for telling you the truth.”
“I’d like to see you try.”
Blake’s chest heaved with anger, his eyes burning into Dax’s.
Cameras flashing snapped them both out of the fog of rage. Blake released Dax’s shirt and turned to the cameras. So much for paparazzi not coming into the store.
Dax took a moment to calm his breathing and straighten his clothes.
A smug grin slid across Blake’s face, and he clapped Dax on the back. “Just two old friends having a bit of fun, right man?”
Dax nodded and pulled his hat down lower.
“It’s Jo Jackson’s mystery man!” someone yelled.
That was Dax’s cue to get out of there. Without saying a word, he lifted his basket and booked it down the aisle. None of the paparazzi followed them as Blake entranced them with a story of a pretend fight in the grocery store. Dax doubted any of them actually bought it.
He needed to get out of there. Stopping in the frozen food aisle, he pressed his stinging knuckles to the cool glass, sighing with the relief. He scanned the contents of the freezer as he listened for anyone to have followed him.
There was one more thing he had to buy before he left.
Ice cream.
For Jo.
He breathed deeply as the adrenaline from the fight faded away.
“What did I do?” he grumbled. He’d lost his mind the moment Blake insulted Jo.
He walked until he found the ice cream. But what flavor did she eat? Wracking his brain for the answer, he couldn’t remember.
“A little of everything it is.” He piled tubs of ice cream in his basket until it was full.
At the end of the aisle, he looked both ways, noticing the paparazzi still occupied with Blake. At least there was some benefit to his ego.
Dax’s hands shook as he piled the contents of the basket on the conveyer belt. There were many reasons he avoided being photographed, avoided anyone knowing who he was.
And yet, for the second time in a week, he couldn’t avoid it.
He paid and took his bags. Keeping his eyes on the ground so no one recognized him, he ran to his car, sighing once he reached its safety.
It wasn’t until he pulled down his long drive he could breathe easily.
Inside those walls, a girl needed him. No matter what Jo made him feel, he’d be her rock, the person she could count on.
