Brick’s expression darkened like a storm cloud rolling over the sun.He turned slightly, like he might go after the man again.
Tessa grabbed his arm without thinking.“Brick.”
He froze.The muscles under her fingers were steel, warm and tense.Slowly, he looked back at her.His eyes softened barely, enough to hit her like a bruise pressed too hard.
“Don’t go,” she said quietly.“Please.”
Brick’s throat bobbed as he swallowed.He lifted a hand and slowly tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear.His fingers brushed her cheek, warm and rough.
“You scared me,” he murmured.
Her breath stuttered.
Brick, who didn’t fear a damn thing, who walked into fights smiling and took punches like they were suggestions, was looking at her like she was the only thing in the world that could shake him.
Tessa’s chest tightened painfully.
“Let’s get you both home,” he said finally.His voice was low, gentle in a way that didn’t match the fury still radiating off him.“We’ll talk after.”
Dillon nodded quickly, still pale.
Brick guided them to the exit, one large hand hovering near Tessa’s lower back.He wasn’t exactly touching her, but he remained close enough to raise goosebumps down her arms.Every few steps he flicked his gaze to the corners, the doorways, the parking lot beyond.
It was as if Brick was assessing threats she now understood too well.
Outside, the cold afternoon air hit her lungs like a shock.She didn’t realize how tightly she’d been holding herself until they reached the parking lot and she sagged against the curb, adrenaline draining so fast it made her dizzy.
Brick crouched in front of her immediately.“Hey.Breathe.”
“I’m fine,” she said again, but it sounded hollow.
“You’re shaking.”
She looked down.Her hands trembled uncontrollably.
Brick reached out then paused, waiting for permission she didn’t remember granting, then wrapped his fingers around hers, steadying them.His touch wasn’t gentle.It was firm, grounding, and warm.
“Tess.”His voice was soft, almost a whisper.“I’m not letting anything happen to you.”
A laugh tried to escape her, brittle.“You can’t promise that.”
“Yeah,” he said, eyes locked on hers.“I can.”
The certainty in his tone made something inside her wobble.
He wasn’t supposed to care this much.She wasn’t supposed to need him this much.
Dillon shifted awkwardly beside them.“Tess?Can we go home now?”
She nodded quickly.“Yes.Yeah, let’s do that.”
Brick stood and offered her his other hand to help her up.She hesitated only a second before taking it.His grip tightened around hers, steadying her as she rose.He didn’t let go right away.
His gaze flicked to the school doors, then back to her.
“That threat he made?”Brick said quietly.“It won’t happen again.”
Tessa exhaled shakily.“You scared him.”
