Instead of backing off, the jackass puffs up and steps in close, looming over them.
“Shit.”
In two strides, I’m beside him. I gently clasp Riley’s wrist, desperate to take her away from here so I can ensure this asshole won’t bother her again.
But rather than step closer to me, she jerks back. Flattening her lips, she folds her arms over her chest and glares…at me. Really?
“C’mon, let’s get back to our table,” I insist.
She lifts her chin. “No.”
The guy whirls my way. “Who the hell—” His eyes bulge as recognition hits. “No way. You’re Hayden Hale! I fucking love your music,” he slurs.
“Thanks.” I nod. Then, calmly, because I hate being rude to my fans, I say, “Sorry, she’s coming with me. She’s my best friend’s little?—”
“For fuck’s sake!” Riley drops her arms and stomps away as best she can in heels.
I look at Nastya, thinking she’ll clue me in on what just happened.Instead, she scoffs and shakes her head, as if I’ve disappointed her. She follows Ry, and I take off too, hot on her heels.
Riley has always been a fun, friendly drunk. What the fuck has gotten into her?
We catch up to Riley just as she approaches our table. When I call her name, she whips around, her eyes blazing with heat and her nostrils flaring. She’s pissed. Atme.
She crosses her arms again, her shoulders pulled back. “Why did you do that? I didn’t ask you to come over.”
“You pushed him away. You looked uncomfortable.” Frowning, I take a careful step closer. “Did you really expect me not to react?”
“Honestly, yeah. That’s what you’ve done all night.”
I can’t fucking admit how much I hate seeing her with other men, so I go for the shittiest explanation ever. “Because nothing you were doing demanded my attention.”
“Or because you didn’t care.” She jabs me with one finger. “Next time? Fuck off. I can handle myself.”
“You didn’t look like you could.” The words are out before I can stop them. I’ve clearly got a death wish.
“Unbelievable!” She throws her hands in the air.
Nastya steps between us. “Time-out.” She glances at me then quickly focuses on Riley. “You need fresh air. Let’s go.” She puts her arm around Riley’s waist and steers her toward the exit.
I should stay behind, wait for them here, but I can’t fight the urge to follow them. Outside, they quickly turn left, out of my line of sight.
The chilly night air hits hard. It’s a relief after the heat of the club, but the tension doesn’t leave my shoulders. I turn to join them, but Riley’s next words make me freeze.
“You were right. I shouldn’t have let him come with us.”
My insides twist into a painful knot. I knew this was a bad idea.
“Ry,” Nastya says softly.
“I wanted to help him. I thought the distraction would be good for him, but I’m a fool,” she breathes. “Because deep down, I thought this might be the night things change. That he would finally noticeme.” She sniffles, her blonde hair a curtain hiding her face. “But it’s time to admit he will always see me as a kid. That’s all I’ll ever be to him.”
Her voice cracks on that last sentence, and it punches a hole straight through me.
Suddenly, the weight on my shoulders is unbearable.
Because I don’t know what I’m even doing anymore.
How the hell have I never noticed?
