Wardrobe malfunction! In the ladies’ room helping Anna fix her dress, be out soon!
I send her a thumbs up.
“Nice crown.”
I look up and see Brody glaring at me.
I roll my eyes and look back down at my phone while I walk off with Travis.
“Who’s that?” Travis asks.
“Poppy’s ex.”
“What’s his deal? He looks like he’s got a stick up his ass.”
“He’s pissed I’m with Poppy.”
“What a douche.”
We head over to our teammates, who are standing together and talking on the edge of the dance floor.
“So you think you can kiss my girl in front of the whole campus, huh?” Brody says behind me.
I stop walking and turn around, pissed. “What the hell is your problem?”
“You are my problem,” he spits out. “You’re acting like a manwhore kissing Poppy on stage like that.”
He steps up to me and pokes his index finger into my chest. “You’re fucking trash, you know that?”
I clench my jaw, fuming. “First of all, Poppy isn’t your girl anymore because you cheated on her like the worthless piece of shit that you are. Second, get your fucking hand off me before I break it.”
He steps back, pulling his hand away. His face is red, and he looks like he wants to murder me. I’d like to see him fucking try.
He’s as tall as I am, but I’m twice his size. Fighting isn’t allowed in college hockey, but I’ve fought plenty over the years, on and off the ice. I’m certain I could pound this fucker’s face into the ground if he tries anything.
A second later, Travis grabs my shoulder, holding me back.
“Easy, man,” he says in a calm tone.
“You think you’re good enough for her?” Brody bites.
“Dude, get lost,” Travis says.
“You’re nothing. Not even close to her level,” Brody says.
I just laugh. “I know that. Poppy’s perfect. I’ll never be as good as her.” I drop my smile and glower at him. “That’s the difference between you and me. I know what a gem she is. I know how to treat her. You never did.”
He steps up to me, and I tense up, ready to punch him, but Travis steps between us and shoves him away.
“Back off,” Travis orders.
“Stay the fuck away from Poppy,” I say to Brody.
Brody glares at me, then Travis. “Fuck this,” he mutters before walking off.
I watch him walk out of the ballroom and disappear through the door. I ball my fists at my sides, adrenaline pumping throughmy chest. I’m sick of seeing that piece of shit lurking around Poppy. He needs to stay away from her.
A protective feeling swoops through me, more intense than I’ve ever felt before.
