“Me or West. Don’t let that injured hand fool you; the asshole could still win most fights, and if he was protecting you, I know he’d die before letting anything happen to you.”
My heart hammered in my chest at his admission. How was that even possible? This, between the three of us, wasn’t anything, yet they were still beyond protective.
I’d be lying to myself if I said it wasn’t a turn-on and also made me want to cry.
“I was worried something had happened to you when you didn’t show earlier.”
He nodded but still looked unsure. “Things are handled for now. But there is a lot to discuss with the others. I think Brandon plans to call an all-Uplift community meeting to talk about what was found and our next course of action.”
“Are we in danger?” I probed, not liking his hesitant tone.
The way his lips sealed shut told me everything I needed to know.
“Back to me questioning you now.” He inclined his head toward the busy bar. “What did they say to you to make you come hide back here, alone?” he asked, a slight growl of disapproval on that last word.
“I needed a minute after their big surprise.” I wiggled my fingers in fake jazz hands. “Which I’ll spoil for you. They’re engaged.” I shrugged as I diverted my gaze to the wall behind Langston. “Why they couldn’t have told me over email, or carrier pigeon, or never, I don’t know.”
That was a lie, though. I knew Eric wanted to see my reaction when I found out the news.
Fuck, he was such an asshole. Maybe I should strangle him just to rid the world of his pompous ass. Oliver would understand; he wouldn’t really arrest me for murder. I’d just updated the main emergency services website for free, so surely that gave me a literal get out of jail free card.
“Are you fucking with me right now? Their surprise was to tell you that bullshit?” Langston spit.
I slowly nodded, in awe and a little turned on at his anger on my behalf.
“I can definitely see it being more of Eric’s idea than Stephanie’s. But yeah, they’re here to tell me the joyous news of their engagement.” I paused. “Come to think of it, did he give her my old ring? Surely not, right?” The shape and size had looked similar now that I thought about it. Then again, I only got a flash of it when Eric shoved it in my face as he made his dramatic announcement.
“A guy like that?” Langston scoffed. “I bet he recycled the ring. It would be too inconvenient for him to find another one.”
I tapped the end of my nose. “Spot-on. I’ve described him accurately, it seems.”
“You still haven’t told me why you’re back here alone.” His features hardened. “I don’t want you going anywhere without me or West until we catch the sick fucker who’s out there hurting women.”
I huffed and shook my head. “Considering I’m a homebody, that won’t be a problem. And I’m back here because I needed to process, you know. I was prepared to see them, but to hear that… I was caught off guard.”
Langston grunted a noncommittal response. Pressing both hands to the wall behind my head, caging me in, he scanned my face. “And now?”
“Now,” I breathed, “I’m better, thanks. You’re a pleasant distraction.”
“Is that all I am?”
“No,” I drawled. “You’re an asshole too.”
The corners of his lips twitched upward.
For several seconds we stood there, lost in each other’s gazes while the world went on around us. It was strange, but with eachmoment with him, it felt like I was absorbing his strength. The memory of the last time we were in this bar together flashed in my mind, making a slow smirk appear.
He leaned in even closer. “What’s that mischievous look on your face for?”
“I was just remembering the last time we were here together, and you hauled me out over your shoulder like a damn caveman.”
A slow grin grew on Langston’s face, transforming his normal stony expression. “I remember that night too. And if I remember right, I hauled you out of here, smacking your ass because you were being a mouthy, drunk-as-shit brat.”
“I was not! You came in and ruined all our fun.”
He arched a dark brow, clearly not agreeing. “You girls were hammered. Way too many duck fart shots, plus a mix of other drinks based on the glasses piled in the middle of the table.”
I started to deny it but snapped my lips shut.
