“No,” Bradley says, his low laugh vibrating through my whole body. “Why don’t you go find your buddy and tell him I want to talk? Seems like Jack didn’t understand the first time I told him to stay away from my girl.”
“I’m not your girl,” I say, trying to push his hands off me, and Dylan steps forward, causing Bradley’s grip to waver enough for me to throw my head back, connecting with his chin. It’s enough of a surprise I’m able to slip away as a few people turn toward us, and Dylan automatically steps in front of me.
“Leave now,” Dylan says, and there’s no room for argument in his tone. The music is still playing around us as the party continues, and I hear Ellie ask if I’m okay.
Bradley grimaces, rubbing the red mark forming on his jaw. “I know you didn’t mean that, so let’s go.”
“No,”I say, standing my ground, but it’s a lot easier to do with Dylan standing between us.
“How well did that answer work for you last time?”
My stomach plummets, and I feel like I’m gasping for air, stuck at the bottom of his stairs in the negative degree weather again, trying to stay awake long enough to get a call through to Macy.
I don’t have a chance to see the way Ellie’s looking at me because Jack appears out of nowhere.
“Get the fuck out of my house,” Jack says, not bothering with subtleties. Bradley’s gaze bounces between Dylan and Jack, probably assessing whether it’s worth taking on both of them to get to me. One on one, maybe. Two on one, no fucking way.
“I told you to stay away from her,” Bradley says, his mask slipping to show his true, hateful nature for a moment. “Alondra,” he snaps, and I flinch. I fucking flinch, and I hate giving him the reaction.
“I don’t give a flying fuck what you told me. I don’t answer to you, and neither does she. Get the hell out of my house before I call the police,” Jack threatens, and a few people near us back up at the edge his voice has taken, paying close attention to the scene now that Jack’s involved.
Bradley looks past Jack, staring directly at me, and I know I was a fool for thinking he loved me. Maybe at some point he did, but eventually, I became his favorite punching bag. He doesn’t miss me—he just misses having someone to push around.
I’m not that person anymore.
He put his hands up in surrender, backing off at the mention of the police, probably realizing if I were to lift my shirt up, there’d be marks from how tightly he grabbed me. He’s out of moves right now, and if he keeps pushing, he’s risking football. It’s the only thing he was ever terrified to lose.
After he walks away, pushing through bystanders toward the front door, I feel like I can breathe again.
Dylan grabs Jack’s arm, pulling him toward the back door, and I’m quick to follow, shaking off Ellie’s questions of whether I’m okay or not. Oh my god, everyone’s staring at us. This is a nightmare.
“—you good?” I catch the last of Dylan’s question after slipping through the open door before it shuts, sealing us out in the cold.
“No, I’m not fucking good. Did he touch Al?” Jack asks, not realizing I’ve followed them out.
Dylan doesn’t say anything, and he swears under his breath, bracing his hands behind his head.
“I’m okay,” I say, announcing myself as I move closer.
“Did he hurt you?” Jack repeats, and the fear lurking in the shadows of his features surprises me.
“No,” I say, because telling Jack he had his hands on me would only pour fuel on the blaze of his fury.
“Hethreatenedyou. I heard him.”
I cross my arms over my chest, pinching my eyes shut for a moment as if I can pretend to turn back time before tonight turned into a disaster. “It doesn’t matter,” I say, exhaling a long breath.
“What the hell do you mean it doesn’t matter?” Jack questions, his tone biting.
I falter, instinctively taking a step back, bumping into Dylan, who helps steady me. I know Jack’s anger isn’t directed at me, but it’s a reflex.
“Schultz, cool it or walk away,” Dylan warns, and Jack looks stricken, his hand covering his mouth.
“Al . . .” he trails off, turning away to walk further into the yard.
“It’s okay,” I say, turning to reassure Dylan I’m fine. “Thank you,” I add, catching us both by surprise when I hug him briefly.
“I’m gonna check on Ellie,” he says, casting a worried glance in Jack’s direction after I step away. “Are you okay? You should probably get an ice pack for your head. You got him good,” Dylan continues, looking me over.
