Whoa. Dean didn’t like how he got his back up to that one. He exhaled roughly, slowly, trying to maintain control. “Takes one to know one, Gantley.”
“You and I are nothing alike.”
“That’s for damn sure.” Dean knew he was treading on thin ice, but he couldn’t help himself. “Why are you so hung up on her still?”
Track gave him a look of pure derision. “You think I still want in her pants? I had the frigid bitch—”
White hot rage propelled Dean’s fist forward, connecting to Track’s jaw with a serious crack.
Shit.
Their ragged, heavy breaths filled the hallway.
Track slowly stood up and rubbed his jaw, fire lighting up his eyes. “That was a mistake.”
“You gonna tell anyone that you took a punch?” Dean leaned in and rolled the dice. “You got hit because you’re scum. You got hit because you’re weak. And small. And pathetic. But most of all I hit you because you insulted a woman, and I don’t think that flies in Tennessee or anywhere else you might make noise about this. Don’t underestimate me, Gantley,” he growled. “Don’t play games with me. And don’t even think about messing with Liana.”
Then he shoved past the singer and threw himself into the hot, humid afternoon sun.
So much for staying in control.
— —
He madeit halfway to the restaurant they’d called in an order to before he pulled over and parked so he could call his brother.
Jake picked up on the third ring. “Hey, how’s life on tour?”
“I punched Track Gantley.”
His brother let out a harsh exhale. “Wow. I’m assuming he deserved it.”
“Yeah.”
“Any witnesses?”
“No, but Homeland Security might be listening to this right now.”
That got him a laugh. He hadn’t been kidding.
“How’s everyone back home?”
“I’m currently reading a book about home births.”
Shit. That was…real. “I don’t know what to say to that.”
“Me neither. But what Dani wants, Dani gets.” Jake didn’t sound disgruntled about that at all. If anything, the softness in his voice was enviable.
And for the first time ever, Dean kind of understood it.
Not that he loved Liana, of course. It wasn’t like that.
Exactly.
But it was something. He didn’t punch other men. Ever.
And he’d called Jake for a reason. Not Matt or Sean, or even one of the Minellis, because only Jake knew what it was to grow up a Foster and still be capable of a healthy relationship. Although it wasn’t like his relationship with Dani was logical or practical or anything else Dean valued in his own friendships.
Jake had fallen for Dani when she was still an off-limits teenager. And he’d waited for her, through college and other relationships, until they were on the same page.
