Page 26 of Snapping the Ice
Tate ordered a bottle of wine for us.
“Um, I’m just having water. I don’t want any wine.” I winced and glanced from Tate to the server. My plan wasn’t going well.
“Why?” Tate scowled. “Bring us two glasses, anyway.”
“Yes, sir.” The server did a double take of us and walked away.
“What the fuck, Ezra? Just have some wine.” Shaking his head, Tate glowered. “You’re making me lose my temper here.” He brushed his finger pads along his knife.
He wouldn’t try to use the knife on me, would he? But it was a butter knife. Now I was being ridiculous. Taking a deep breath, I gathered my strength. Lucas waited just outside. I had to do this and leave. “Tate, we’re done. I’m breaking up with you.” I squeezed my cell phone to my chest.
“No. You’re not.” He glared at me and clenched his jaw. “You’re mine, Ezra.” He shifted and cleared his throat. “The sooner you get that through your head, the sooner we can enjoythe delicious and expensive meal I’m willing to buy you.” His face turned red.
Holy fuck, he looked murderous. More angry than I’d ever seen him. I had to leave. “I’m sorry, Tate, but it’s over.” I shuffled toward the edge of the booth.
“Where do you think you’re going?” He snatched my arm and yanked me back.
Pain shot up to my shoulder and down to my elbow. “Ow, fuck. Let me go.” I flinched and wriggled.
Spitting between his teeth, Tate said, “You’re going to sit here and have dinner with me.”
“No, he’s not.” Lucas appeared at the table, fisting and opening his hands, glaring daggers at Tate. “Let him go or the manager will call the cops.” He flared his nostrils.
“You little shit. You told the manager about this? How did you know?” Tate freed me. “Did you both set me up?” With a sneer, he shifted in his seat and released my arm.
I scurried from the seat and stood beside Lucas. Thank God he showed up when he did.
Throwing his arm out, Lucas pushed me behind him. “You need to leave Ezra alone. Do you hear me? He wants nothing more to do with you.”
“Yeah? We’ll see about that.” A wicked smirk played over Tate’s mouth. “You know, this isn’t the first time we’ve had a fight. We always work it out.”
I swayed to see around Lucas, heat burning in my veins. Tate thought I’d take him back? Fuck no. “Not this time, Tate. Don’t text, don’t call and don’t show up at my studio or my home.”
“Or what?” A smug grin curled his lips.
“Or I’ll…” Call the cops on him? They wouldn’t do much unless he hit me again.
“You’ll have me to deal with.” Lucas’s chest swelled, and he stood taller. “And not just me, other hockey players, too.”
Tapping the rim of his water glass, Tate said, “You should know my family business sponsors your fucking team, Lucas. So, you and your dumb jock friends should stay out of this.”
Fuck. I didn’t know that. I couldn’t let Lucas get in trouble for me. “Lucas, let’s go.” I pulled on his arm, but he stood firm.
“Go ahead. I’d rather eat alone, anyway. Ezra isn’t good company and gives a terrible blow job. You’ll find out soon enough, puck boy.” Tate released a sharp chuckle. “Wonder if your team knows you’re queer?” He cocked a brow.
“I’m not—” Lucas peeked at me. “Just leave Ezra alone.” With a snarl, Lucas turned and grabbed my hand. “Come on.” He led me from the restaurant and into crisp night air, the square buildings, lights and tall palm trees of the mall laid out in front of us. “Jesus, that guy is a creep.”
As I ambled behind Lucas with my hair veiling my face, an ache grew deep inside me. Was I bad company? Even Lucas noticed I never smiled. And the blow job comment…he’d been too rough. But was it me? Did Tate have the power to ruin me now?
“Hey.” Lucas stopped in a walkway with a bubbling fountain next to us. “You okay?” He turned to me and cupped my cheek. “Look at me.”
My gaze crept to his, the glow of the lights glinting off the lighter blue specks in his eyes. He was gorgeous, but he’d said he wasn’t queer. It was too early for me to?—
“You don’t look okay.” He glanced toward the restaurant, wrapped his arms around my shoulders, and pulled me into his chest. “Fuck, Ezra, I can’t believe what you had to put up with. You don’t deserve any of that.”
I melted against him, my eyes stinging. In a croak, I said, “Thank you.” Emotion swelled inside me. I didn’t want tobreak down. Not here. “Can you take me home now?” Despite Tate being an asshole, it was shocking to leave him. Why though? What the hell was wrong with me?
“Yes.” He squeezed me before letting me go. “My car’s parked nearby.”
