His tone and choice of words were telling, but suddenly Trevor realized he didn’t care. They barely knew each other, but he wanted that to change. Soon.
Derek was right. Hedidlike her. And for reasons he’d rather not think about, he’d gone far too long even without having any kind of romantic relationship with a woman.
In that moment, sitting in that dingy diner, he knew he was ready to try again.
“Oh.” Lexi moved some of that loose hair behind her ear. “Um...I appreciate your concern, but that’s not necessary.”
Her crimson blush deepened, and Trevor suddenly found himself wondering if she got flushed like that after sex. The thought had him shifting in his seat.
“Hey, Lexi-Loo!” Rob called out. “If you’re done flirting with your boyfriend, I need a refill.”
Lexi stiffened. Trevor watched as she took a deep breath and plastered that fake smile on her face again.
“Be right there,” she hollered over her shoulder. Clearly embarrassed, she quickly handed Trevor and Derek their checks and whispered, “Sorry,” before turning and walking away.
“What an entitled prick,” Derek said none-too-quietly.
“Yeah.” Trevor ground his teeth together.
After finishing their meal, he pulled his wallet from his back pocket and tossed two twenties on the table. It was nearly double the amount of their checks, but he knew waitresses didn’t make shit. Especially working in a place like this.
Whistling between his teeth, Derek glanced at the cash with an arched brow. “That’s quite a tip.”
“She’s worth it,” Trevor mumbled as he scooted out of the booth.
Standing with him, Derek’s face lit up. Like the goofball that he was, he slapped Trevor on the shoulder and said, “That’s the spirit!”
Trevor turned, his smile vanishing instantly when he saw the expression on Lexi’s face.
Rob had called her back to his table. Surprisingly, the guy was keeping his voice level low, so Trevor couldn’t make out his words. But whatever he’d just said had clearly upset Lexi.
After unceremoniously setting the man’s check on the table, she told him sharply, “Let me know when you’re ready, and I’ll get your change.”
She’d just turned to leave when Rob’s hand snaked out to grab her wrist.
Sonofabitch.
“The fuck?” Derek growled from behind him.
Clearly startled, Lexi tried to pull free from Rob’s tight grip, but the man refused to let her go.
“I wasn’t done talking to you.”
Trevor saw red. His protective instincts flared to life, and in just a few long strides, he was standing next to Lexi.
Derek joined him. Both men standing with their legs shoulder-width apart and their arms hung loosely by their sides. Ready to make a move, if necessary.
Not bothering to hide his anger, Trevor’s voice lowered to a lethal level. “Get your hands off her.”
“This doesn’t concern you,” Rob spoke as he swung his gaze up to Trevor’s.
Before he could hide it, the man’s eyes widened with intimidation.
You should be intimidated, dickhead.
“I’ll say it one more time, asshole,” Trevor warned. “Let. Her. Go.”
The diner went completely silent. Not even the clinking of a fork on a plate could be heard.
