Johnny got in the car as I drifted away from it, though my door was still open. Flynn walked with me for a few steps, then said quietly, “Be careful with that one.”
I turned to face him. “Are you serious?” I dropped my voice, hoping Johnny wouldn’t overhear us. “That’s what you pulled me aside to say? As if you have a right?”
“I have a right to care, Angie. We were together for over three years. You think I want to see you hurt?”
I raised my chin. “He won’t hurt me.”
“I hope not,” Flynn said. He held my eyes for a long moment.
I knew he wasn’t dense about Johnny. Flynn was extremely observant. He’d probably seen Johnny out at clubs and parties with many, many girls over the years, if he’d been paying any attention. Flynn never knew about that secret kiss between me and Johnny, or about my crush on him, exactly. At least, not that I’d ever admitted to him. Though he’d definitely accused me of being attracted to him, among other men.
Which just made me feel worse about what was happening right now.
I’d never told him, never admitted the truth, even though he’d obviously picked up on…something. And now here I was with Johnny, just days after our breakup. And yes, I was wildly attracted to him. I always had been. Weirdly, I was acutely aware of just how much I was attracted to him, standing here with my ex-boyfriend’s eyes on me. I felt exposed, like I’d been caught red-handed doing something terrible.
“You deserve a man who will treat you right, Angeline,” he said.
I felt my chin give the slightest shake. I looked away.
He’d treated me right. We both knew that.
But I’d wanted more.
I’d wanted… something else.
That hurt us both. But I had every right to go on with my life and try again. With whoever I wanted to.
Just like he did.
“He’s my client,” I said firmly. “And my best friend’s brother. He won’t hurt me.” When Flynn didn’t say anything, I met his eyes again.
“If he does,” he said grimly, “you can call me.”
A sick, disturbed feeling churned in my gut.
What the hell did that even mean? If Johnny hurt me, Flynn would come running to the rescue? Or take me back? Or let me cry on his shoulder or something?
Fucking no, on all counts.
“Why, so you can hurt him for me?” I said.
Flynn’s jaw spasmed. I knew it bothered him, that I wasn’t his to protect anymore. But that was his problem, not mine.
He broke up with me.
“You’re Elle’s bodyguard,” I reminded him. “Not mine.”
I got in the car, and as we backed out of the driveway I tried not to look at Flynn. He leaned back against his car to wait for Elle and Seth. He didn’t look at me, either. He looked at the ground in front of him, his posture casual but his soul wound tight. So tight… I’d never really been able to get at whatever lay within.
It made me feel both better and worse knowing that this breakup had been as hard for him as it was for me.
“Everything okay?” Johnny asked me after a minute or two.
“Yes.”
“You okay with seeing him?”
“Yes. I have to be.” I sighed, trying to let go of the tension that seeing Flynn had caused. “He’s working for my sister until the end of time. Goes wherever she goes. Travels with her. Will be an honorary uncle to her children. Etcetera.” I tried not to sound bitter when I laughed a small laugh. “He’s part of the family now.”
