When we’d dated, Josh could get rough when his temper flared, but I always gave as good as I got. It was a shame that his good looks were wasted on a such an ugly personality.
He immediately let go as that glazed look in his hazel eyes cleared. “My bad. Anyway, I was interested in you tutoring me. I had to take the winter semester off last year, and I’m trying to play catch-up. But I found a tutor.”
I was silently thanking the heavens above. He was the last person I would tutor, no matter how much I needed the money.
“I better go. I’m here with Shane Blackwood.”
“Didn’t he just get out of prison?”
He lifted a shoulder. “He did. So what? We’re childhood friends.”
It was none of my business. I proceeded to pick up my mess again, hoping he would get the message that our conversation was over, but that wasn’t meant to be.
“You look fantastic, Mazzie. Are you dating anyone?” He moved hair off my shoulder. “I miss you.”
If it weren’t for the empty glasses on the floor still, I would walk away. “Not interested.”
“Mazzie?” Lucas’s raspy voice filtered through the din of the casino noise.
I flicked my gaze to Josh’s right, and Lucas was standing there, looking at Josh then me.
Josh fisted his hands at his side as though preparing to fight to the death.
I held back an eye roll. Typical of Josh to flaunt his jealous ego.
Lucas came up to me in full protective mode, tension rolling off him. “Is this guy bothering you?”
The word no was on the tip of my tongue, but his crisp, clean cologne wafted up my nose, and I went mute for a second.
“Fuck off, asshole,” Josh spat his egotistical venom. “I’m talking to my girlfriend.”
Lucas puffed out his chest, ready to throw down.
Oh hell no. I slid between the two and held up my hands. “Don’t either of you start anything. Lucas, meet Josh, my ex.” My voice quaked.
I could feel the heat radiating from Lucas, his presence swallowing the air around us. As for Josh, his toxic jealousy dripped from every pore.
“I am not your girlfriend.” I bared my teeth.
Josh’s face reddened. “You’re dating the wide receiver for Lakemont? I thought you weren’t into football players.”
I almost laughed. I guessed I was into football players now.
“What if she is?” Lucas glowered at Josh.
“She’s not yours,” Josh snarled.
I briefly closed my eyes, giving myself a silent pep talk not to unleash my fists on Josh. Customers always come first. Greta’s speech blared in my head.
I poked a finger at Josh. “You’re still a jerk. Women are not your property. I don’t belong to you or anyone. And no, Lucas and I aren’t dating.”
“But you slept with him,” Josh said as if he was clairvoyant.
“That’s none of your business,” I snapped.
Then I whipped my head at Lucas. “Don’t goad him.”
Lucas grinned at me. Why? I didn’t want to know. All I knew was I had to work, and if I didn’t clean up the spilled drinks, Greta might fire me. In fact, I was surprised she hadn’t made an appearance yet.
