I staggered back. My purpose here was to protect Skylar, not pick a fight with this guy, especially because I didn’t know if he had any weapons.
“Shane, stop!” Skylar yelled as the man advanced.
The alpha, Shane, stopped walking, but the anger in his eyes burned. He wasnothappy that I broke up his playtime.
I turned to Skylar, who was shaking. I realized he was grabbing my arm for support. A wave of protectiveness flooded me. I wanted to take Skylar in my arms and shield him from the world.
“Do you know this guy?” I asked.
“He’s a customer,” Skylar replied, voice trembling. He was shaken up, and I wanted to make Shane pay, but I held my composure steady.
“We were just talking,” Shane snapped, although that obviously wasn’t the case. He looked like a decent guy from his appearance, but there was no hiding that inner ugliness that came with harassing someone.
“Didn’t look like it to me,” I said. “What are you doing putting your hands on Skylar?”
“We’re friends.”
Lie. “If you were friends, he would’ve said so. He called you acustomer.And since I’m assuming you can read, you should’ve seen the sign inside the café that says touching employees is fucking prohibited.”
“It’s after hours,” Shane growled.
I barked a laugh. “So? Are you stupid or something?”
He didn’t look happy about that question. He pushed off the wall, and I thought I’d have to fight him off again, but instead he just turned and stalked away.
I let out a breath. “Geez. What was that guy’s problem?”
But when I turned to Skylar, I noticed the tears rimming his eyes. He was struggling not to cry.
“Oh, Sky, are you okay?” I asked.
He huffed in exasperation, aggressively wiping his face on his sleeve. “I’m fine. I’m just tired and annoyed.”
I couldn’t imagine what kind of mental stress he was going through. On top of everything else in his life right now, he had to go and get harassed by some asshole alpha.
And I didn’t even want to think about what could’ve happened if I hadn’t shown up.
“Come on,” I said. “I’ll drive you home.”
Skylar didn’t object. He looked too exhausted. He just nodded and followed me to the car.
* * *
When we gotto his apartment, it was dark. Kaden either wasn’t home, or was already asleep. Judging by Skylar’s quiet movements and the way he kept his voice down, I guessed it was the latter.
I stood awkwardly in the doorway. Skylar hadn’t invited me in, but he didn’t seem impatient for me to leave.
“Do you have work again tomorrow?” I asked.
He nodded tiredly. “Only half a shift, though.”
“Getting out late again?”
Another nod.
I grimaced. I didn’t want to seem too forward, but there was also no fucking way I was letting this kind of thing happen again. “Do you want me to pick you up after work?”
Skylar faced me. I couldn’t read his expression.
