Dyers has no idea the hornet’s nest he just kicked.
And I can’t wait until I get to watch him be stung.
When Zach stomps inside, it earns a glower and a hiss of ‘QUIET’ from the front desk, which he ignores. His gaze darts about the room.The second he catches sight of me, I’m glad I could witness it.
A softness overtakes his features. It’s love. Pure and simple. It’s pain. It’s need. It’s want. It all coalesces into one before twisting into outrage. Again, sweeter than taffy. It does a great job of settling my mortification, of amplifying this belief I have that I can make this right.
That I can turn this to my advantage.
I startle as he kneels beside me, striding so quickly from one end ofthe library to our table that Callan also jumps in surprise when he’s suddenly there.
“Jesus Christ, Zach. Warn a man.”
“I’ll kill him.”
I cup his chin. “No, you won’t.”
“I was thinking of doxxing him,” Callan blusters. “It comes with less federal prison timeandas attractive as I’m sure the ladies find you, Zach, I doubt orange is your color.”
“I agree. His Bantam jersey was orange. It’s the first time in forever that he didn’t have scores of bunnies hovering around him. Plus… I don’t want to be visiting my boyfriend in federal lockup!” I grouch, but I shoot him a quivering smile when he turns his face into my hand. “It’ll be fine.”
I’ll make sure of it.
“No. It won’t,” he snaps. “Coach’s back after shitting through the eye of a needle for a week and he’s decided we’re wrong about Dyers being a cokehead. The asshole will be playing tonight.”
I gape at him. “You literally saw him doing drugs!”
Leaning into us, Callan murmurs, “You ever heard of BDSec?”
“Now isn’t the time to talk about a sex club, Callan.”
“Zach, my man. Read up on your friendly neighborhood porn menu. I said BDSec, not BDSM. It’s a white-hat collective!” A gleam appears in his eyes. “I’ve long suspected it’s run by women. Just imagine if they got ahold of old Derek’s details. I tell you, the chaos would be delicious.”
A creaking noise sounds from the table behind us. Maybe it’s because I’m on edge that I hear it.
When I shift around, I blink when I see it’s my unlikely saviors…
Shay coughs. “I hope you don’t think we’re eavesdropping?—”
“We totally were,” Victoria butts in. “I’m sorry about the picture.”
“Not like you helped him do it.” I grit my teeth. “Or did you? I don’t even know anymore.”
“We definitely didn’t. But we know someone better than BDSec.”
“You’ve heard of them,” Callan chimes in, perking up.
“Yes, we have. Honestly, who we know… much better.”
“Why would you help me?” I stare at the table, not wanting to look at the pity in their expressions. “You don’t know me. You know Alec. I figured…”
“Just because we associate with certain people doesn’t mean we don’t also think they’re vaginal douches.”
“Wow, you two really were eavesdropping!” Callan mumbles.
Victoria waggles her pen from side to side. “You were pretty loud.”
“Sorry. We didn’t mean to disturb?—”
