Page 100 of 10 Things I Hate About Mistletoe

“They’re just words,” Officer Wren said, lowering her voice to add, “and he’s dimwitted anyway.”

Brodie hollered, “Hey!”

“Hey yourself,” she said without turning Brodie’s way. Her entire focus was on Anthony, who shuffled his feet under her disapproving gaze. “Why would you care what he thinks? Do you like the guy? Respect his opinion?”

“No,” Anthony said.

“He’s a douchebag,” Pike added.

Brodie smacked the bars with his hands. “I am sitting right here!”

“Yeah, we can see you.” Pike grinned at Wren, his left eye purple and swollen. “Admit it. The shiner makes me look tough, huh?”

“Idjit,” Wren muttered, turning her back on him and disappearing down the hall.

“I think Officer Wren likes me,” Pike said.

Anthony shook his head. “I think Officer Wren wants to take us all out back and tase us. Can’t really blame her.”

“What are you talking about? We are the victims here. Innocently making sure your girlfriend was okay and then, blam! They walk up on us and start talking shit.”

“It was stupid of me to let that dick get to me,” Anthony said.

“So, why did you?” Pike asked.

Anthony closed his eyes. “I guess I’ve just been on edge. Stressed out.”

“I’m sure you have been,” Pike said, groaning as he sat down on a bench. “And sounds like I’ve made things worse. But I think you went off on Brodie because he was saying hurtful things to Delilah.”

“Maybe,” Anthony grumbled.

“Obviously,” Pike countered. “Any man would have reacted to a woman being verbally attacked, but only a man in love would have pummeled the idiot the way you did.”

Anthony stiffened, Pike’s words sinking in as Brodie muttered, “I think I’m going to puke.”

Pike snapped back at Brodie, but Anthony tuned the argument out. Love. It was something he’d wanted, had been waiting for it to hit him, but it had never happened.

Until now.

Here he was, stuck in a cell, when he should have been the one taking his girl to the hospital. Wren was right, Anthony was an idiot. What must Delilah be thinking about him, especially after he got hauled away in a squad car. What the hell was wrong with him? He never used to start fights. If someone tried something, he was more than happy to finish it, but he didn’t get into brawls, and he certainly didn’t get arrested.

Maybe Pike had a point about him being wound too tight. He’d taken that vow when he hadn’t wanted to have sex with anyone, when he hadn’t even been tempted. Now he was making himself crazy not having sex with Delilah when all he wanted to do was be near her. Pike was right: Anthony wasn’t being honest about his feelings. Pike knew the truth. Hell, he’d said it out loud and Anthony couldn’t even bring himself to admit it.

This was love. It was so far removed from anything he’d ever experienced that he’d almost blown it. After his behavior today, would she even speak to him again?

Anthony wiped a hand over his face. He needed to get out of this cell and go to her. Beg her to forgive him and if she slammed the door in his face, he’d camp there until she did.

Now that he knew what love felt like, there was no way he was ever letting it go.

“I hope Nick gets here soon,” Anthony said.

Pike nodded. “I am ready to blow this Popsicle stand.” He sat forward, his forearms resting on his legs. “I’m sorry, man. I know I can be moronic, and I need to learn to slow down and ask you before I agree to things for the business. I just get excited and I’m still getting used to having a partner.”

Anthony smirked. “Me, too. I did a ton of research before we got into this and there were a lot of people saying that going into business ruined friendships for them. I don’t want that for us.”

“Agreed.” Pike got up, holding out a hand to him. “Forgive me?”

Anthony took his hand and pulled him in for a hard hug. “Always.”