Close enough to hear the crack as my fist collides with it.
Close enough to watch as he drops to his ass and whimpers in pain, clutching the side of his face.
"You deserve way worse, Anderson. Consider yourself lucky." I spit on the ground next to him as I stand over his body, watching as he cowers in pain, conscious.
My words cause a reaction out of him I don’t expect.
Fear.
I don’t care to prove him right or wrong.
The scene unfolding beneath me triggers a tidal wave of memories, bringing out old trauma that I’ve worked so hard to grow from.
Rather than doing more damage like I could easily do, I close my eyes, take a deep breath, and walk away, leaving Austin below me.
My only priority is making sure Cassandra is okay and taking her wherever she wants to go.
twenty-two
Harley
I know Cassandra isgoing to be pissed at me and my fist is going to hurt for a few days, but fuck, it was worth it.
The asshole had it coming, and I will die on that hill.
The moment we got back upstairs and joined the party, she put on her poker face, drank as much alcohol as she could, danced with Jenna, and pretended there was nothing wrong, no matter how many times Bea insisted we leave.
When the Uber picked us up, she stumbled out the door of the venue, climbed into the back seat with Bea, and that’s when she let her tears fall, staining her make-up covered cheeks.
The car ride back to the apartment was silent, sniffles appearing even more obvious. I don’t think she was even attempting to hide them.
My heart broke for her, but I knew she had Bea’s shoulder to lean on, and her hand to hold. I hope it helped to be consoled by her childhood best friend, even if there were no words exchanged.
The three of us had pre-booked an apartment with three separate bedrooms to stay at while we’re in California for Jenna’s birthday, but I kind of wish I’d booked something separate from the girls, so I could collect my thoughts and replay tonight over and over, and Cassandra could confide in Bea. So they could talk about how much of an idiot I was for turning to violence, and Bea would have told her that Austin deserved it.
I’d be lying if I said I was looking forward to being in Cassandra’s company right now.
She refused to even look in my direction once we made it back to the party. I know, because my eyes tracked her every move.
My urge to protect her took over and I won’t apologize for that. She can be mad at me all she wants, but I’ll never regret it.
Reaching into my pocket for the key to the apartment, I hold the door open for the two girls to enter before me.
"I’m going to bed." Bea burps, taking her heels off as she walks toward her room, waving her hand in the air, leaving Cassandra and I alone for the first time in weeks.
The creek.
My office.
All the things we should discuss but have both been avoiding, and now we need to add Jenna’s party to the list. I guess there’s no time like the present.
Great.
Emptying the contents of my pockets, I place my phone, wallet, and keys on the kitchen counter, wincing in pain at the pressure of my chinos against my knuckle.
"Does it hurt?" Cassandra asks, words slurring while her big hazel eyes stare at my hand.
She’s drunk, but she’s trying her hardest to appear sober, using the dining table to keep herself from losing balance.
