I instantly see red. “Fuck you, Joe.” I turn around to leave, but he grabs me, spins me around, and traps me against the counter.
“No, no, no. I did not mean it like that.” His pleading eyes beg for understanding that’s in short supply right now. “You know I was cool to wait for you. I didn’t ever pressure you, did I?”
I grind my teeth to the molars. He didn’t pressure me, and he said he was happy to go at my pace, but the second things were over between us, he was diving between the sheets with another senior. “I don’t care that you fucked Nina. You were a free agent. But don’t turn around now and claim that you love me and you were heartbroken, presenting it as an excuse for hooking up with someone so soon after we were over. And saying you hadn’t had any in a while is utter bullshit too. We might not have gone all the way, but we did a lot of other stuff, things I hadn’t done with any of my other boyfriends, so I find your excuse insulting as well as pathetic.” I push his chest, but he doesn’t release me. “Let me go, Joe.”
“I can’t, Asti. I can’t be without you. Tell me how to make it up to you, and I will.”
“You can’t un-fuck her,” I say, trying to slide sideways, out from under his arms, but he cages me in tighter.
“I thought you didn’t care that I fucked her.” A muscle clenches in his jaw as he grabs my upper arms, his fingers digging into my bare flesh.
I truly don’t, but I’m going to cling to that as the reason because telling him—again—that I’m just not into him anymore is obviously not going to work.
I raise my voice, so over this convo. “I lied. Now let me go. You’re hurting me.”
The door crashes open a split second after I’ve uttered the words, and a scowling Callan Hunt pushes into the room, looking like he’s ready to commit murder.
12
CALLAN
Grabbing the jerk by the back of his shirt, I shove him aside to get to Astrid.
“Dude, what the fuck?” he says, gripping the counter as he staggers back.
“Are you okay?” Ignoring him, I scan Astrid from head to toe, enraged when I spot indents on her upper arms. Before the guy can straighten up, I punch him in the face. “That’s for putting your hands on her without permission.”
“Oh my god,” Astrid whispers, her gaze bouncing between him and me.
“What the fuck, Hunt?” he roars as he stumbles, barely keeping himself upright.
“Fuck off,” I snap, jabbing him in the chest. “And stay the hell away from Astrid.” I’m taking liberties here because I didn’t overhear the full conversation, but the cheerleaders told me he is her ex, and I’m guessing that’s for a reason.
“Who the fuck are you to tell me what to do?” He straightens to his full height, probing his face with his fingers as he glares at me with blatant hatred.The feeling is mutual, mate.
“Don’t worry, your pretty-boy face is still intact, though whether it remains so is up to you. Get lost.” My hands ball into fists at my sides, and I’d really love a reason to pummel this guy into next week. The thought of this prick ever having his hands on Astrid makes me want to rip him to shreds, which I know is not normal behavior, but I’ll analyze it later. Right now, I want him the fuck away from her.
“Callan.” Astrid wraps her slim fingers around my arm. “I’m okay. Let it go.” She peers deep into my eyes. “Please.”
All the air feels like it’s been sucked out of my lungs as I stare at her gorgeous face. Fuck, she is exquisite and a breath of fresh air. From the second I arrived at Thor’s, I’ve been surrounded by girls with grabby hands, who are falling out of short dresses, makeup caked on their faces, and wearing so much perfume I’ve almost choked on it. Every attempt to get away from them failed, and I was waiting for Astrid to arrive to make a break for it.
When I saw her with this clown, my anger was immediate, though it helped when I discovered he was an ex. I knew he was on the American football team, but not who he is or who he used to be to Astrid. That gossip did not reach my ears before tonight.
“Now I see,” the clown hisses, his words breaking the connection between Astrid and me.
We both turn to face him, and I act on instinct, sliding my arm around Astrid’s back and tucking her into my side, grateful when she melts against me and doesn’t put up a fight. It tells me all I need to know.
His nostrils flare as he glowers at us. “This has nothing to do with Nina and everything to do with you and him hooking up!” He waggles his finger between us before slamming his fists on the counter. Shocked gasps echo behind us, reminding me the door is open, and we have an audience of gossipy girls witnessing everything. Fuck. They were eavesdropping for ages before I came over to intervene, so I have no clue what theyoverheard. “You wouldn’t put out for me!” he yells. “And what, this guy shows up, and you instantly drop your panties for him?”
“Watch your fucking mouth. I?—”
“I don’t owe you a single thing, Joe,” Astrid calmly replies, cutting across me. Her arms wrap around me, and she rests her head against my chest. “And what I do with my body is my own business. You and I are broken up, and I’m free to date whomever I like. We are over, and you need to accept it.”
“Trust me, I got it. You couldn’t pay me to touch you again. No one wants soiled goods.”
She flinches, and I’m done playing nice. He’s a fucking dick, and that’s utter horseshit. My arm thrusts out, ready to beat the shite out of this prick, but Astrid hauls me back before my fist makes contact. “He’s not worth it. Let’s just go.”
“Stay away from her,” I warn him again because I’m not buying the bullshit he’s peddling. I heard enough of the conversation to know he still wants her, and if he thinks she’s with me, it presents a challenge guys like him can’t help accepting.
