Page 397 of Call Me Baby 2: Side B

I shake his outstretched hand.

No clue why I do it, some ancient, instinctual reflex overrides my brain, and my fingers close around his anyway.

He points toward concessions with his chin. “I’m grabbin’ a drink before first pitch.” His eyes narrow, reading the panic written across my face, the damage Andrew left behind. “Noticed you look kinda pale, sweetheart. Want somethin’? Water? Gatorade? Coke?”

I’m fiercely trying to hold myself together, but this guy blindsided me, catching me off guard.

I don’t know where my walls are.

“You lost, bro? Bronx’s that side.”

Andrew’s shadow falls over my shoulder, and Gino pops his gum, amused.

Andrew interrupting is exactly what he was hoping for.

“Damn, Harding. Last time I seen you, you were horizontal at the Sunoco with your face kicked in.” He tilts his chin up. “Lucky sonofabitch—not one scar.”

“Yeah, well. Guy swung like he was underwater.” Andrew steps around me. “Now mind your business. Stay on your side. Play a clean game, aight?”

Gino nods slow, rubbing his palms together. “Aight—so, based on your reaction, I’m guessin’ this is her? This the one?” His eyes track a violating path back down to me, a post-orgasmic expression melting his features. “Damn.”

Andrew shoves him back, almost knocking Gino off his feet, sending him crashing into the black netting.

I shoot to my feet,

the folding chair tipping back,

my eyes darting between them.

“Andrew—?”

This is different than he was with the Grim Reaper.

This is different than Hunter.

Andrew always holds back.

Always controls himself.

Even pissed, even shaking, even with the vein in his neck popping angry and murder in his eyes. The only time he’s ever put hands on someone, is if they put hands on me first. Always.

Peter’s there,

hand against Andrew’s chest.

“Harding. Look at your girl—look at her.”

He knocks into Andrew’s shoulder,

forcing him to break eye contact.

And when Andrew’s head snaps to me,

his eyes are more scared than angry.

Peter shoves him back a step.

“Now look at me.”