Page 34 of Scoring the Player
“That’s enough.” I edge in front of her.
“I’m just having some fun.” He careens his neck to try to see past me to Dahlia. “I must have watched it thirty times or more.”
“Dude, stop talking,” I warn him.
“What are you, her bodyguard now?”
“No, I’m her boyfriend and you’re making her uncomfortable.”
“Her boyfriend? No shit?” He laughs as he takes a step and I feel Dahlia cower behind me, which snaps something inside me.
I push him backward to put some space between him and Dahlia, and then I get a shot in before he can get his balance.
“Felix,” Holly shrieks.
His friends step in before I can land another punch, and Teddy hugs me, turning so he’s protecting me with his body. I fight his hold, but he’s a strong son of a bitch.
“All right,” I say, still struggling to get free.
“You good?” Teddy asks.
No. “Yeah, I’m good.”
He loosens his grasp and I shrug away from him. Dahlia stands next to Holly, the two of them watching on wide-eyed.
“Come on, let’s get out of here.” Teddy takes Holly by the hand, and Dahlia and I follow. We’ve only made it as far as the kitchen when Gavin runs in behind us. “Is everything all right? I didn’t see it, but I heard you just punched a guy out.”
My jaw tightens. “He’s still walking around. Unfortunately.”
12
DAHLIA
Gavin offersup his room if we want to hang out a bit while he kicks out the guy Felix got into a fight with, but I just want to go home.
“You’d think people would find something else to talk about, right?” Holly asks quietly as the guys say their goodbyes. “It’s so last month’s news.”
A small laugh manages to bubble up in my chest.
“Seriously. Don’t worry about it. That guy was an idiot.”
“Thank you.”
She steps forward and gives me a tentative hug. I like Felix’s sisters. I like them a lot. Stella was fun and made me laugh, but Holly has a reassuring way about her that makes me appreciate her extra right now.
I lost Jane and haven’t seen Daisy or Violet in a couple hours. It’s still weird being at parties and not glued to their sides. Tonight was fun though. Up until that jerk ruined it.
“Do you want to catch a ride with us?” Teddy asks Felix.
“No. Go ahead. I’m gonna walk Dahlia home.”
“It’s okay. I think I can manage.”
“I’m walking you home,” he says, leaving no room to argue.
Outside, Holly and Teddy head in the opposite direction, so it’s just me and Felix making the short walk next door.
He’s quiet until we get near the front door. “I’m really sorry about tonight.”
