Baird cut off my indignant reaction by squeezing my arm. I glanced up to find him wearing a peculiar expression as he stared Will down. His mouth was curled like he was almost smiling, but his usually warm, dark eyes glinted like hard obsidian.
“You know what your problem is, mate … you thought so highly of your fucking self that you believed a woman like Maia would actually wait around for you.”
Will had the decency to flinch.
“Now you’re in the midst of a realitycheck. Maia MacLeod is top tier. There is no getting better than My. She’s kind, she’s smart, she’s funny, she gives a shit about people, she’s driven without being a ruthless dick about it, and somehow, unbelievably, she’s all these things when she doesn’t have to be because she’s a smoke show, and the world’s a superficial dumpster fire that puts more stock in that than what lies beneath. But Maia is all that and more because she’s beautiful down to her fucking soul. And you …”
I watched in stunned silence, my heart pounding in my ears as Baird dragged his gaze disdainfully up Will’s body until he met his eyes.
“You were punching way above your weight when she said yes to you. You’re such an arrogant prick, you didn’t think so. You’d convinced yourself it was the other way around. But now you know that as soon as she was free of your bullshit, there were thousands of guys lined up who would give their left nut for a chance at her. And I’m actually smarter than you because I wasted no time. I’ve wanted her from the moment I met her, and I was biding my time until she realized you didn’t deserve her. Here you are, now that you know you were punching above your weight, and you’re what? Trying to shame and gaslight her into taking you back?”
My goodness. I could barely catch my breath. Not just from the lovely things Baird had said but because he was right. Will had thought he was doing me a favor being with me. And hehadcome here to shame and gaslight me!
My ex seemed as stunned by Baird’s speech as I was.
Baird stepped into Will’s personal space with an air of crackling intimidation. “See, you’ve got a problem there. Not just because Maia’s wise to your bullshit now, but because you’ve got me literally standing in your way. AndI’m not better for Maia than you are because I’m good-looking, fantastic in bed, a successful national sportsman.” He smirked cockily. “I could go on … but the point is, I’m better for Maia because I know I don’t deserve her. No one deserves all the tremendousness that is Maia MacLeod. And knowing that, I’m going to work my fucking arse off to make sureInever lose her. So, why don’t you go back to your college sweetheart who you probably don’t deserve either … because Maia no longer exists for you.”
Will swallowed hard but stupidly replied, “Are you threatening me?”
“Nah, mate, if I was threatening you, I’d have stuck the head in you. This is just your first warning.”
My body was confusingly hot and languid, and I refused to acknowledge that I might be turned on by Baird’s protectiveness. Not a very feminist response.
Will stepped back nervously and then shot me a look of disgust over Baird’s shoulder. “It’s all words, Maia. He’ll be screwing around behind your back before you know it.”
“What? You mean like you were?”
“I never cheated on you.” Will gave me sad puppy-dog eyes. “I wish you’d given me more time.”
My patience snapped. “The fact that you can still say that after everything Baird just laid out tells me that you actually are a narcissist. I didn’t want to give you more time. I didn’t want to be a choice you had to make between me and someone else. I am worth more than that.” Correction: I had to convincemyselfI was worth more than that, and I hated him for making me doubt it. “What aren’t you getting about that?”
Will looked away, the muscle in his jaw ticking. “I do. I do get it. I’m … I’m sorry.”
At my silence, he looked back at me. “But this … thisNeanderthal… he’s going to hurt you too,” he warned before marching out of the flat.
I flinched at the sound of my door slamming.
“I hope he didn’t just chip my doorjamb.”
Baird whirled to gape comically at me.
Then we kind of stood there staring at each other, Baird’s expression softening into concern as my heart rate increased. His words swam in my mind and caused an ache in my chest.
Because I wished he’d meant them.
“You’re a good actor,” I finally said. “For a second there, I almost believed everything you said.”
He swallowed hard, his gaze searching. “My?—”
The loud ringing of his phone cut him off.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
BAIRD
My ringing phone was a blessing and a curse. I swore under my breath and yanked it out of my pocket. “It’s Ainsley.”
“Answer it,” Maia said. “I’ll get changed.”
