Page 63 of The Assist
“Hell yes,” Nathan responds and pulls back. That’s right, dude, hands off.
She orders two shots of Fireball at his request and Nathan slurs the same toast he’s been shouting all night, “To love and basketball.”
That seems to put him over the edge, thank God, and Nathan voices his desire to go home and pass the fuck out. Joel and Z help him stand, and Blair and I trail behind. We’re almost to the door when someone steps in front of her.
“A word,” David says, teeth clenched and jaw flexing.
My hand tenses in her back pocket, and I tug her closer. “We’re on our way out.”
The glare that David shoots me further pisses me off, but I feel Blair cower next to me. Instead of telling him to get lost, she pulls away from me. “Go ahead with the guys, I’m right behind you.”
The fuck? I start to protest, but she leans up and presses a kiss to my lips. I relent. “Five minutes.”
“Five minutes,” she repeats with a nod.
I’m bristling as I walk outside.
“Something doesn’t feel right.” I pace behind the car as Z gets Nathan in and Joel starts the car. “Maybe I should go back in and get her. I’m gonna go back in.”
No one is listening to me as I work this out aloud. David looked angry, and as tough as Blair is, and as much as I don’t want to be the kind of guy who acts like a jealous asshole, this just doesn’t feel right.
“I’m gonna go get her,” I repeat, louder this time so the guys can hear. I get the faintest head tilt in acknowledgment.
My eyes scan the bar when I step back inside, and my pulse quickens when I don’t immediately see Blair.
I push toward the back, where I found them last time, and it seems this is David’s go-to spot for cornering women. I’d only meant to check and make sure she was okay, but the tears in Blair’s eyes push me to action.
“I can’t keep doing this. I’ve barely slept all week. Do what you have to do, David, but I’m done helping you.” Blair’s voice quivers, but I’m damn proud of her for standing up for herself, even if I’m hella confused about what’s going on.
“Blair,” I say her name just loud enough to be heard but don’t move to put myself between them. I get the feeling that she needs to fight this battle on her own. I’m just back up, and I want fuck face to know it.
Instead of the anger I’d expected from David at my approach, he looks downright gleeful. “Do what I have to do, huh?”
There is panic in Blair’s eyes as she looks between us. He steps toward me, and she reaches for his arm.The hell?He rips his arm away from her and continues until we’re chest to chest. He isn’t a short dude, but I have him by several inches.
“Don’t worry, bro, she’s all yours. I got what I wanted from her, including some mementos to remember her best assets.” He winks, which is the final snap to my barely contained rage. Don’t know where the fuck this guy gets off, but I don’t like the way he suggests he still has any ties to her.
I shove him, and he staggers back. Before I can advance, I’m being pulled backward by Z, who I hadn’t realized followed me back inside. “Should get out of here, man.”
Blair’s crying fills the silence of the parking lot as we’re ushered out to Joel’s car. Z pushes us into the back with Nathan, who’s already passed out.
“What the hell?” Joel asks, getting a look at our faces.
“Just drive,” Z says as he slams his door shut.
I sit, stunned, as Joel takes off to the house. What the hell just happened?
“Dude.” Joel’s eyes find mine in the rearview mirror, and he nods toward Blair. Right, I’m meant to be comforting my girl.
“Come here,” I murmur and pull Blair into my arms. She falls into my chest and sobs harder. She tries to speak, but I run a hand through her hair and tell her we’ll talk later.
I need to get my emotions in check before I deal with hers. I’m pissed, and only part of my anger is at David. I’m also mad at myself for losing my cool. I mean, he totally deserved it, and I’d do it again in a heartbeat, but I’ve never been in a bar brawl. In fact, the only time I’ve ever gotten into any kind of physical altercation has been on the basketball floor. It’s the only place that has ever gotten me riled up enough to want to throw a punch. Until now. Until Blair.
Her crying quiets as I lead her out of the car and up to my room. She crawls onto my bed and kicks off her shoes. “I’m so sorry.”
“Hey.” I slide in next to her. “What are you sorry for? You didn’t do anything wrong.”
That seems to set her off again, and her chest heaves with new tears. I hold her until she cries herself to sleep, and then I slip downstairs.
