“Oh, I need to know the biology behind that. Be right back.” He hands me his plastic cup and hurries away, dragging Cade away from the crowd. I smile at his antics, then walk around for a bit to mingle with my guests. I make sure everyone is okay and have what they need, then I meander outside to the patio, breathing in the warm night air.
I rest my arms against the railing and look out into the distance. The night is quiet and still, besides the voices drifting from inside. In one of the trees nearby, I hear hooting from an owl and I close my eyes, tipping my head back.
I’m not sure what kind of owl it is, but I’m sure Cade would know just from its hoots. He told me he was forced to learn about them—and it serves him right after what he did—but I don’t think he minded. Cade loves to learn. Even if it’ssomething people would think is as mundane and boring as the flight paths of an owl. He?—
“Mav, hey baby,” an eerie voice says from the darkness and I shriek, holding my hand to my chest.
Then I recognize the voice. “Walter?” I ask, narrowing my eyes so I can see better.
He steps from behind a tree like some kind of creepy fucking movie villain and walks toward me. “Yeah, it’s me. I heard you were having a party. You remember how much I love parties.”
Anger flows through me as my heart still thuds at how he just scared me. “I don’t give a fuck what you love, Walt. We’re not a couple anymore.” I pause, then rear back. “How thefuckdo you know my address?”
“Overheard some people talking at work.” He says that like it’s completely normal for him to stop by my place when he wasn’t invited. And like the fucking weirdo he is, he hops over my patio railing, walking closer to me. “You look good. Better than I remember.”
“Walt, get the fuck out of here. My boyfriend won’t appreciate you showing up uninvited.”
He waves me away with apsshnoise. “Yeah, okay. ‘Boyfriend.’” The fucker has the nerve to air quote the word. “No one will have you but me, Mav. Especially with your…shallow hole problem.”
Embarrassment and a strong, primal anger almost make me claw at his fucking face. How dare he show up like this after he cheated on me and got my address because he overheard it? He’s lost his damn mind.
“You need to leave,” I say through clenched teeth, my fists balled up at my side. “Now. Or I’ll get?—”
“Come on, Mav. We were good together. Even the sex stuff is fixable. I’ll teach you. Take it slow like you wanted. And then we can start our future together. You’d like that, wouldn’t you?” Hesteps closer to me and I walk backward until I hit the wall. He crowds me, rubbing a hand down my face.
I slap it away as hard as I can. “Don’t fucking touch me.”
“Stop playing these games. I know you miss me as much as I miss you. The house isn’t the same without you. And that couch.”
Before I can stop myself, my hands are shoving at his chest, pushing Walt a few feet away from me. “Are youfuckingkidding me? You’re here about the fucking couch? The one you fucked someone else on?”
He has the audacity to look guilty. “I mean, I miss you too. That couch was just really comfortable.”
“Get the fuck out of here, Walt,” I seethe, barely able to contain my anger. “Before I fucking kill you.”
He shakes his head and takes another step closer. “No, we belong together. You’re?—”
“I believe he asked you to leave,” Cade’s voice sounds behind me, rage lacing his tone. “He doesn’t want anything to do with you.”
Cade steps in front of me, protecting me with his body. More people venture outside, almost forming a barrier around me, Sawyer wrapping an arm around my shoulder. I smile up at him but quickly focus my attention back to Cade and Walt.
My man looks as if he’s grown larger, more looming as he glares Walt down.
Walt looks around Cade to me. “Who the fuck is this?” he asks, peeking back over at Cade. I see the hint of attraction in Walt’s eyes, how he can’t keep his stare from shifting back to Cade.
“I’m his mate,” Cade spits, “and he wants you to leave. So get the fuck out of here before I make you leave.”
“Make me leave? No, I think I’ll stay. I have something to say to Maverick and nomateis going to?—”
Before he finishes his words, Cade takes a step forward and grabs Walt by the throat, tossing him over the railing of the patio. Walt lands in a heap of dirt, sputtering as leaves and shit gets into his mouth.
He flips over and glares at me and Cade, shooting daggers at us. “Maverick, I just wanna know why you left me.”
I throw my hands up. “Walt, youknowwhy. You cheated on me. And you’re not even sorry about it.” I sigh and pinch the bridge of my nose. “What is it that you want? Is it because someone finally broke up withyouinstead of the other way around?” He looks to the side, dusting leaves from his clothes. “Go ahead then Walt. Break up with me. Get it over with so you can move on with your life, and I can move on with mine.”
He stands and squares his shoulders, popping his hands on his hips. “Fine. Maverick, this is over. We’re done.”
“Great,” Cade growls, his fists clenched at his sides. “Now get the fuck out of here before I rip off your balls and wear them as earrings.”
