His jaw clenched, and he looked down at his beer, fingers tightening around the glass. “Thanks. I kept our apartment because I couldn’t let it go. All our memories were there. I thought after two years I’d be able to return. But I couldn’t. She was everywhere. And while everyone else had a family in a different town to return to, I didn’t.”
She touched his shoulder. “I’m so sorry, Antwan.”
He nodded as he looked at her. “Thanks. I—”
She didn’t catch what he said next because from the corner of her eye, she saw Dylan take Aspen’s arm and pull her toward the door.
What the hell?
Alarm raced through her system, and she moved on instinct, pushing through the crowd and racing toward the door. She heard the shout from Lock behind her, but her entire focus remained on the door. On the way Dylan’s features had been twisted with anger and the tight grip he’d had on her friend.
She sprinted outside.
“Get your hand off menow!”
It was like Dylan didn’t hear Aspen’s shouted words or feel her attempts to pull free. He just kept marching them forward.
What the hell was wrong with him?
Callie reached them and grabbed his arm. “Let her go!”
He kept moving down the street, ignoring her.
Desperate, she kicked him in the back of the knee.
“Fuck!” He stumbled and released Aspen before swinging toward her.
Callie tried to back up too fast and would have fallen, but strong arms slipped around her waist, catching her. Then Jesse was between her and Dylan—and he swung, nailing Dylan in the cheek.
Callie’s jaw dropped.
Dylan had just hit the ground when Jesse grabbed him by the shirt and yanked him back up, shoving him against the wall of the neighboring business.
“You think it’s okay to grab a woman and drag her outside against her will?”
Dylan tried to pull away, but Jesse held him too firmly.
“What was the plan?” Jesse growled. “Drag her to your car and take her to your place?”
Callie wanted to know the answer to that question too.
“Get off me,” Dylan growled.
“Jesse, step back,” Lock said from behind her.
A few seconds of silence passed where no one moved, but eventually, Jesse let him go and Dylan straightened his clothes. Dylan took a step to the side, but Lock spoke again. “Wait.” He looked at Aspen. “You want to press charges? I can call my brother.”
Aspen’s gaze shifted to each person around her before landing on Dylan.
Say yes, Callie whispered in her head.Teach the jerk he can’t treat you like that.
Aspen shook her head, making disappointment skitter through Callie’s veins. “No.”
Dylan smirked at Lock before looking at Aspen. “We’ll talk later.”
Asshole.
When Dylan was gone, Jesse stepped in front of Aspen. “Are you okay?”
