Page 104 of The Casanova Complex

Every time I’m around him, every time he opens his mouth, I hate him even more.

Everything about this guy triggers me.

The chatter around us drowns out as I step forward, and then again until we’re nearly toe to toe.

His nostrils flare, and for the first time tonight, I see that mask of his slipping, showing the rage beneath it.

“You forget whose house you’re in?” I ask him.

He chuckles darkly, a dry sound that makes me want to punch the fuck out of him. Like he’s mocking me somehow. Shaking his head, he grins. “Nah, of course not. You’re the guy who couldn’t keep his net. How could I forget when I’m the one taking your place?”

This motherfucker.

My hands curl tightly into fists at my side, and my jaw works so hard that it feels like my teeth might crack.

“Shut the fuck up, Gauthreaux.”

This has his grin widening, and he shrugs nonchalantly. “Maybe it’s time that you admit it to yourself. You’re not the big dog anymore, Legros.”

I step forward, and my chest hits his, knocking him back a step. All he does is fucking laugh, and that has my fury boiling over into something dangerous.

Out of control.

Nothing like the guy I am.

It’s not in my nature to be this volatile, to be this easily triggered. Especially knowing that he’s goading me. Knowing that this is why he’s talking shit right now.

To get this reaction out of me.

I’m unintentionally giving him exactly what he wants.

Attention. Validation.

Fuck, I’m playing right into his hand, and I know it, but I can’t seem to stop myself. Can’t seem to get a hold of my anger that’s been simmering beneath the surface for months, ready to boil over.

I feel Merritt step beside me, and it pulls Gauthreaux’s attention to her. His beady gaze narrows as it moves to her, and I can see the shift where he decides to change his tune.

“C’mon, Mer, you’ve made your point. I know I fucked up, and I swear to you I will make it right, but this guy’s a fucking loser, and you’re better than this,” he says, his tone placating, softening his eyes on Merritt. “You wouldn’t even believe the shit I’ve heard about this guy since starting here. The number of women he’s collected like trophies. He’s fucking beneath you.”

I want to rip his head off, but I force myself to look down at her, watching her throat bob with a swallow and her stance turn rigid.

Gauthreaux is feeding both of our insecurities, and he’s fucking foul for going this low.

For a second though, I wonder if maybe Merritt doesn’t even realize that’s what he’s doing. She says nothing, just stares back at him with a look in her endless brown eyes that I can’t read.

He takes that as a sign to continue, to press even harder on cuts that are still tender.

“Mer, we spent a year together,” he murmurs as he takes a step toward her. “An entire year of our lives together, and it’s my fault, I know it is. Just like I know you, and I know that this dumbass isn’t worth a second of your time. If you do nothing else, just ask around about him. See what you’re really getting yourself into. A guy who won’t ever be faithful to you.”

She scoffs. “Oh, just like you were, right?”

He reaches for her, and this time, I shut it the fuck down. “Do not fucking touch her.”

A low laugh vibrates out of him, and his brow arches in challenge. “Yeah? What you gonna do about it, big guy? Hit me? Give Coach yet another reason to put you on the bench?”

“You can run your mouth all you want, Gauthreaux, until you’re blue in the fucking face, but what you’re not gonna do is put your fucking hands on my girl.” We’re back chest to chest, and the party has gone quieter. People have started to realize that something’s up.

Merritt’s hand finds mine, and she intertwines our fingers, pulling gently. “Bennett, let’s go.”