I sucked in a breath and tried to channel my inner badass, all the while hoping Millie would show up and call for help.
“No. Freaking. Way. You cheated, you lied, you left me. You willnotalso get to ruin my birthday or another day of my life.”
When he came at me again, his own fists raised, murder in his eyes, I hit him once more with my left, connecting my knuckles with his cheek. Satisfaction roared through me as his butt collided with the puddle once more.
“A man who wants a woman to do his job is pathetic,” a large man said. His voice was a deep rumble and accented enough for me to know English wasn’t his native language. He stood with five otherenormousmen a few feet away from us on the sidewalk.A large, dark vehicle pulled away from the curb, so I surmised they’d just been dropped offrightinto my drama with Dillon. I hadn’t heard them approach, and now my ears burned as tears threatened. As if this moment wasn’t humiliating enough, it was being witnessed by strangers.
At least they were strangers and not my classmates who’d whispered behind their hands after Dillon dumped me.
“Nice uppercut, Fists,” the man who’d spoken before said to me, throwing me a chin lift. “Good form, though I recommend putting more shoulder into it next time.” He stepped forward enough that I could make out the icy glint of his pale blue eyes.
“You’re…” Dillon gaped. “You’re…”
“About to finish what the lady started if you don’t get out of here,” Mr. Tall, Icy, and Dangerous rumbled.
“This is between Ida and me,” Dillon insisted.
Another of the large men stepped forward. Good gracious! My brother Amos played linebacker for UT, but these guys had him beat by four or five inches in height and nearly as many in breadth.
“The lady said to get lost,” Hulk Two said. He was even bigger than Mr. Tall, Icy, and Dangerous and had a thick beard and a glint in his eyes that saidyou do not want to try something with me.
No, no I did not. I didn’t want to be out here at all, truth to tell. I should have listened to Millie and my own gut and ignored Dillon.
“She’ll get over it,” Dillon said with the confidence I used to find endearing and now found teeth-grindingly annoying. “As soon as she remembers I’m her best option, she’ll…”
“I’m right here, butthole, and the only thing I’m remembering is that you’re the worst decision of my life.” Yes, the army of muscular men, who seemed to be on my side, made me braver than I would have otherwise been.
I noted my response to these guys riding in to save me and promised I’d look into that later…once the adrenaline and shock faded so that I had a clear head. I’d also need to analyze why it had taken me so long to cut Dillon from my life—but I suspected it had to do with the abrupt ending of our years together…and my need for closure.
Tonight surely gave me that, and the good sense to realize Dillon wasn’t the man I’d perceived him to be. Neither was he the man I’dwantedhim to be.
“Want to press charges?” a third man asked, pulling me out of my mini psychoanalysis.
I shook out my hands. I’d been the one to hit Dillon, not the other way around. Granted, he’d been charging me at the time, but it was still probably best not to involve the police because Dillon was good at twisting a situation to his benefit. As he tried to do now.
Dillon shot me that grin I used to find sexy.Gag. How had I been so blind?Sostupid? Why had I pined for him for over a year?
“Why are you fighting me? You know you want a baby, Ida. This just speeds up the timeframe. You’ll get to play house with me without getting the stretch marks or saggy tits. I mean, I did you a favor when I started fucking Stella—”
Too far. No woman should tolerate such disgusting words. I lunged at him, ready to rip out something soft, but Mr. Tall, Icy, and Dangerous caught me around the waist, pulling me flush against his chest and slightly off the ground. Being short was annoying.
“What a douche,” Mr. Tall, Icy, and Dangerous muttered just loud enough for me to hear. His breath slid along my cheek, causing goosebumps to flow across my arms and down my spine. When that warmth blossomed in my belly, I stopped fighting, shocked by my reaction.
I liked being held by this man.
No, no, that made no sense. I wasfinallyover Dillon. Now wasn’t the time to get involved with someone new—not that Mr. Tall, Icy, and Dangerous was asking me out. Still, I should process my reactions, learn from them…
“Is it really your birthday?” He turned me to face him as he set me on my feet, completely unperturbed by Dillon’s continued arguing with his buddies.
“Yes. My friend Millie and I—Millie!” I gasped, my fingertips flying to my lips. “She must be worried.”
Mr. Tall, Icy, and Dangerous tipped his head toward one guy who seemed younger than the rest. “Collect Millie and take her to our dining room. Tell her Ida’s coming inside right now.”
The younger guy thrust up his chin and sauntered off.
“Millie’s shy. Like, painfully,” I said.
His palms continued to hover at my elbows, and I enjoyed his closeness. I looked at him again, craning my head to meet his eyes. When I stumbled, he clasped his warm fingers around my biceps. The night had cooled a little, but his skin heated my flesh and a thrill zipped through my blood.
