As the laughter dies down, Riley continues with her questions and now is in the spotlight.
I smile to myself.
This is perfect. Absolutely perfect.
Chapter 33
Adrian
“It’s just dinner,” Maddy says, her voice the only thing soothing about this moment. “We’re going to be fine. We’ve made it through dinner with Riley and then Caleb’s mom. This is going to go just as well.”
I glance over at my beautiful girlfriend as we sit around the table at an upscale restaurant on the east side of the city. “You don’t know my parents. There’snothingabout this that’s going to be like those dinners. My parents are rigid. That’s why we’re here ten minutes early. If we’re late, we’ll get grilled even worse.”
“Theyareassholes,” Caleb mutters under his breath beside me. “But this is just going to be what it’ll be. We can handle it.”
“It will be fine.” Maddy slides her hand over mine, thumb working the groove where my pulse hammers.
“Well, I’m sure they’ll blame me for being a bad influence if they really get going off on a tangent.” Beck is already through one full glass of wine. He’s feeding off my nerves, and that’s only making it worse.
“Can I get you another glass?” A waiter appears, and Maddy suddenly stiffens beside me, her caress halting.
I whip my head around to her, and then follow her gaze to the waiter, standing just to the left of Beck. Maddy’s eyes are locked on his, and his on hers.
What the hell?
“Do you know each other?” Caleb beats me to the punch.
“Yeah,” the waiter says, his jaw tensing. His dark hair is gelled out of his face, and his bright blue eyes are suddenly malevolent. “We dated for a little bit.”
“Two years, actually,” Maddy corrects him, her tone sharp. “This is Wes, my ex-boyfriend.”
Beck tips his head back and visibly makes it a point to size him up. “This is the dipshit who cheated on you at your friend’s wedding? What a fucking disappointment. I thought for sure he’d be more…impressive.”
Wes’s jaw slackens, and he keeps his attention on Maddy. “Yeah, well, good to know I’m still on your mind.” His voice is so sharp, it has me considering what a felony would look like on my record.
“I don’t think she wonders much about you.” Beck is on top of it, jutting out a hand to ease him backward. “But I’ll have you know, I slept with her the same night and reminded her what a goddamn prize she is.”
“Since when do you wait tables?” Maddy cuts in and makes a face at him, just as I squeeze her hand. “I thought you were busy helping businesses build their brewery brands.”
“Life changes,” Wes snaps at her and gives her a dirty look, and that’s it.
I’m out of my chair.
“Adrian,” Maddy grabs my hand. “It’s okay.”
Wes’s eyes jump from Maddy to the hold she has on my hand. “What? You’re withthisguy, too?”
“All three, actually,” Maddy snarls. “And theyalltreat me better than you ever did.”
He glares at her. “That’s fucking disgusting. I had no idea you were so…easy.”
Yep. I have to stop this before I end up in jail.
I wave my hand, catching sight of the manager, who immediately comes over. “I’d like to request another server,” I say, as soon as she arrives at our table. “This man is being incredibly rude to my girlfriend. Borderline sexual harassment, actually.”
Maddy tugs me back down, but I don’t relent, loving the fear etched in her ex’s face.
“I’d like him removed, so she doesn’t even have to look at him.”
