Page 119 of Cougar

Bass grabs the bag. “Let her have it.”

Fifteen minutes later, I’m sweating and my arms feel like limp noodles. Damn, I’m out of shape. I drop to the floor beside Jay and we burst into laughter.

“I thought we weren’t supposed to stoop to their level,” she teases.

“I also said to pick your battles.”

“I could’ve taken her.”

I shake my head and fight back a smile. She probably could. “That’s not the point. What I’m saying is that you’re my child, and no one has a right to put their hands on you. Ever. I will always do my best to protect you. If that means opening up a can of whoop-ass, then that’s what I’ll do.”

“Open a what?” She barks out a laugh. “What kind of eighties crap saying is that?”

“Oh excuse me, savage. What’s the proper lingo for smacking a bitch these days?”

“Smacking a bitch,” she deadpans.

“Or throwing hands,” Bass adds, and we all burst into another fit of laughter.

“Hey.” Zach and Cam are standing in the doorway, still dressed in their tuxedoes.

Jay rolls to her side and gets to her feet. “Z, I love you, but your mom is a bitch and I’m fed up with the way she treats me.”

She holds out her hand and helps me to my feet, which isn’t as graceful since I’m still in my gown.

“What happened?” I ask.

“I went to the bathroom and found those girls ganging up on Harper again. Zach’s friend Chelsea was in there. She tried to shoulder-check me but lost her balance and slammed into the metal paper towel dispenser.” She holds up her hands. “I swear I didn’t lay a hand on her, but she told Liz I shoved her.” She rolls her eyes. “Liz was just mad because Zach was sticking up for me.” She looks over at Zach. “Right, Z?”

Zach nods. “I’m sorry about my mom,” he says apologetically. “And I ripped Chelsea a new one.”

“He did,” Cam adds with a chuckle.

“She admitted that she lied. Expect an apology text or phone call.”

“I’ll think about answering.”

“Elizabeth owes you an apology,” I state. “And Chris will be getting a phone call from me. His kid is an asshole.”

The garage door slams, and I look over at Bass with a frown. Levi’s laughter echoes from the hall as Grace pushes her way through Cam and Zach. She props her hands on her hips. “You left me. I was walking around for ten minutes before I finally found your mother, who told me you’d left.” She throws her hands out to her sides. “Seriously?”

I just look at her, and then the whole room bursts out laughing, including Grace.

“Aw, Grace,” Jay coos as she walks over and wraps her arms around her. “Maybe we should have you microchipped so we don’t lose you.”

Grabbing my side, I double over in another fit of laughter.

* * *

Christmas is in two days, and we’ll be leaving for New York. Keeping with tradition, the family will fly out and stay through New Year’s.

I’m in the middle of packing when my phone pings with an alert that someone has just come through the gate. Peeking out the window, I see Zach’s Jeep trailing up the driveway.

That’s odd. Maybe he thinks he’s picking Jay up for school.I make my way to the front door to tell him Jay already left.

Zach hops out of his Jeep and jogs around to the back door. “I have sort of an emergency.”

“What’s wrong?”

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