Page 39 of Barefoot Lake

I consider stopping by Alice’s place to thank her for taking care of the patio furniture but decide against it. A visit specifically for that is a bad idea. I can just thank her next time I see her.

I’m making coffee and grabbing some toast when I hear tires crunching outside but convince myself to stop being so intrusive in Alice’s life. I mentally give myself a pat on the back for not seeing who came to visit.

Minding my own business isn’t something that should need praise, though. I drag a hand down my face. I used to find it easy to keep to myself. Now, I’m like one of those nosy old lady neighbors that sitcoms love to make fun of.

I sit on my couch and turn on the TV but raised voices outside draw my attention to the window, and I immediately turn it back off. I hear a distinct male voice shouting angrily, and I rush to the window. A shiny sports car is parked diagonally across the gravel.

Alice stands behind the car, facing me. The alarm in her expression is clear as a man towers over her, screaming so aggressively that the back of his neck has turned deep red.

“You think you can just leave?! Humiliate me like that? You think you can do better?”

I can hear every word clearly, even from inside. I shove my feet in my boots and fly out the door in seconds. I stop on my top step.

“Ace!” I call, keeping my voice calm. “Everything ok?”

Her gaze jerks to me, and the other person spins around. This guy has to have the most punchable face I’ve ever seen. He’s tall, but lanky, with way too much gel in his hair. It’s convenient he’s wearing a suit since I might use that tie to strangle him.

“We’re fine. This has nothing to do with you,” he spits at me, his face twisted in an ugly rage. He turns back to Alice, disregarding me. Alice keeps looking at me over his shoulder, even as he starts to whisper-yell at her.

I’m about to reiterate that I had asked “Ace” if everything was ok, when I see him roughly grab her left wrist, and yank, uncrossing her arms. Alice pulls back and shoves him with her other hand, but he holds strong.

“Reid, let GO of me.” Alice’s voice is clear and firm. “I mean it. We’re over and you need to leave.”

I’m down the steps and running to them before I realize what I’m doing.

As I come around his car, I see him shoving a ring onto her left hand, ignoring her protests.

“You’ve made your point. Stop this temper tantrum and come back home. Now.” His hiss is low and furious.

Alice flinches and casts her gaze down.

I grab the hand he has on Alice’s arm and easily peel back his fingers from their death grip. Once his hand is off of her, I shoulder-check him, and he falls back against his car. I step between him and Alice, facing her.

I gently take the hand that had just been commandeered, spotting the hideous diamond on her finger and the red mark on her wrist. I stoop to look into her eyes as she continues to stare at the ground.

“What the fuck is your problem?!” I hear behind me.

I ignore him.

“Ace, are you ok?”

She nods, but tears glitter at the corners of her eyes. She looks at her hand, and I follow her gaze to the ring.

“I want him to go.” Her voice cracks when she speaks, barely above a whisper. She tries to take off the ring, but her hands are shaking. I carefully slip it from her finger and squeeze it in my fist.

“Go inside,” I tell her, just as softly. She looks up at me but doesn’t move.

Reid puts his hand on my bicep and yanks, presumably in an attempt to turn me around, but I shake him off.

“Go,” I repeat. She nods and starts backing away, her fingers slipping from mine.

“You need to back off, asshole. She’s my fiancée and—” Reid puts his hands on me again. I let him turn me this time.

I mentally will him to hit first. My prayers are quickly answered.

The heels of both of his hands connect with my chest as he shoves me.

“You need to back off before I make you.”