I followed suit, getting to my feet.“What’re you doin’ here?”I asked.
“It’s a party, right?Everyone’s invited?”Billy peered over at Lynx, as though he expected him to confirm that.
“Not everyone,” Lynx said, his tone deep, raspy.
“But my girl’s here.Figured maybe I’d come check on her.”
When Billy moved closer, I took a step back, inadvertently moving closer to Lynx.I didn’t mean to, but I did not want to do this here.Not tonight.I was so tired of the fighting.And truthfully, I just wanted to be as far from Billy as I could be.
“What’s wrong, honey?”Billy moved another step closer.
“Don’t,” I hissed when he reached for me.
“Don’t what?”Billy grinned.“Don’t touch what belongs to me?”
“I don’t belong to you,” I retorted.It was then that I realized Billy was drunk.
“The hell you don’t,” he snarled.“I’ve put up with your shit for ten years.That makes you mine.”
When he reached for me again, Lynx growled beside me.It was a dangerous sound, something most people would’ve been backing away from.
Not Billy.The guy wasn’t only drunk, he was also an idiot.
I put my hand on Lynx’s arm.“It’s fine.We’re not gonna do this tonight.”
Of course, neither man listened to me.Billy moved closer, practically toe to toe with Lynx.For a second, I wanted to laugh.Seeing the two men square off was a sight.For one, Lynx had a good four or five inches on Billy.His biceps alone were probably bigger than Billy’s thighs.
“You been after my girl for years now, Caine.You can’t have her though.”Billy’s lip curled.“For one, she thinks you’re a dog.Fuckin’ every skank that blows through town.”
Lynx didn’t move, but I hadn’t expected him to.Billy should’ve learned a long time ago that needling him wouldn’t work.The man didn’t care what anyone said or thought about him.
However…
Billy reached for me, and I managed to jerk my arm back at the last second, avoiding his touch.
“Let’s go,” I said to Lynx, turning and taking his hand, pulling him away from Billy.
My brother had perfect timing, too.He stepped up, glancing between the three of us.
“Problem here?”
“Nope,” I told him, pulling Lynx’s arm.“No problem.We were just goin’ somewhere else.”I glared at Billy.“And you’re leavin’.”
“Hell no,” he said, spitting on the ground beside his foot.“Just got here.I’m ready to get my drink on.”
Ignoring Billy, I turned, still pulling on Lynx until he started to follow.I realized then that we’d drawn a crowd.A couple dozen eyes were on us, and just like always, I felt shame ignite in my chest.I hated that Billy could so easily embarrass me with his actions.Even if I wasn’t with him anymore, it still bothered me.I couldn’t even blame these people for thinking I was as much of an idiot as Billy.
“I’m sorry about that,” I told Lynx when I managed to get closer to my truck.“I didn’t know he’d show up.”
Lynx frowned, coming to stand in front of me, crowding me between him and the driver’s door.“What’re you apologizin’ for?”
“He’s an asshole,” I said, as though that would excuse his actions.
“But he’s not your problem anymore.”
“Maybe not, but I know what these people think.”I shook my head and stared at the ground.
I saw his hand before I felt the warmth of his finger beneath my chin.“These people think you’re an incredible woman.”
