To protect her.
Help her.
Saveher.
Instead, I’m forced to stand in place and watch from a distance as Austin berates her even more.
We can’t hear a word between the two of them. They’re too far away. But we can see Cassandra’s visible discomfort. Her arms are wrapped around her body while it shakes uncontrollably, crying, as Austin’s body towers over her to intimidate her. She attempts to turn and walk away, but he doesn’t let her. He grabs her by the arm, turning her back to face him. She lets out a blaring yell, and Bea flinches beside me.
This conversation between them should be private and we shouldn’t interfere, but I can’t just stand here and watch.
"Let go of me, Austin," she pleads, this time loud enough for us to hear. We can hear her cries in the distance, but he doesn’t do as she asks, so she yanks her wrist free of his grip. It only makes him angrier.
He continues to tower over her, stepping closer as she backs away. His jaw is clenched, shoulders squared, and he’s pointing his fingers in her face while her body continues to shake violently through tears.
He takes another step closer to her, cupping her face with his hand, and that’s when it happens.
That’s when I snap.
My blood boils.
This time, Bea doesn’t even attempt to stop me as I storm in their direction.
She drops my arm, giving me permission to do what I have to do.
I’m sauntering my way toward them, but neither of them realize until it’s too late and my hands firmly wrapped around Austin’s throat.
"She told you to leave her alone," I spit through gritted teeth. My voice quietly filled with rage.
"Harley, it’s fine." Cassandra’s voice is shaky, and I can feel Bea’s arms trying to tug me away by my shoulder, but it’s no use.
Austin has all of my attention.
"Yeah,Harley.She’s a big girl. She can handle me." He winks at me like my hand isn’t holding his throat hostage. Like his ability to breathe doesn’t rely solely on me.
He’s acting like a smug asshole, as if this is all a big fucking joke to him and it’s taking everything in me to not knock this arrogant son of a bitch on his ass.
"Please, Harley. Take me home," she begs, and I slightly loosen my grip, listening to her.
Sixteen-year-old Harley really wants to make him suffer for all the shit he put me through back then, and thirty-year-old Harley really wants to make him suffer for all the shit he’s put her through over the last few months.
But I don’t.
I let go of him completely, take her hand in mine, and walk away.But Austin Anderson always has to have the last word.
"Yeah, Harley. Take the slut home. But when you fuck her, just know I fucked her first. She’s still isn’t worth it, Wingrove. Don’t waste your time on her."
What the fuck did he just call her?
I’ve never been a fighter.
I always walked away if I could. Sometimes, I wasn’t so lucky.
But tonight, Austin would be the unlucky one.
One, two, three strides, and I’m back, face to face with my old best friend.
Close enough for my arm to swing and connect my fist to his jaw.
