Page 101 of 10 Things I Hate About Mistletoe

“Someone get these assholes out of here before I lose my cookies?” Trip hollered, with Brodie and the rest of their friends shouting in agreement.

Wren appeared through the hallway again, jingling a set of keys. “Your wish is my command.” Wren unlocked Anthony and Pike’s cell. “It’s your lucky day, boys. You’ve been sprung.”

“What about us?” Brodie asked.

“Can I call my father again?” Trip bellowed.

“I’m sure it will be any minute now,” Wren said, smirking. Anthony and Pike picked their jackets up from the bench and followed her. Once they passed through the hall, she whispered, “You’ve got a ten-minute head start before I release the goon squad.”

“Thanks, Wren,” Anthony said.

Wren pointed at each of them in turn. “You can thank me by staying out of trouble. You’re lucky no one wanted to press charges.”

Anthony’s smile disappeared when he saw Delilah and Ryler standing next to Officer Wren’s desk, wearing identical frowns. Despite the less-than-warm welcome, Anthony’s chest tightened at the sight of her, but then her lips spread into a relieved smile and his tension eased. She wouldn’t be here bailing him out if she couldn’t stand the sight of him, right?

“Hey, you don’t get to give me that look,” Pike said, pointing at Ryler. “You ain’t my girlfriend.”

“Thank God for that,” she laughed. “No man of mine would get into a fight wearing snow pants.” Ryler shot Delilah an apologetic smile. “No offense.”

“None taken.” Delilah took a step closer to Anthony and reached up, her hand hovering over what he was sure was a massive bruise on his cheek. “You look terrible.”

“I know, but really, you should see the other guys.”

Delilah shook her head, but he could have sworn he caught a glimpse of a smile. “I have your truck outside.”

“You’re all good to go,” Wren said. “And I wouldn’t worry too much about those idiots changing their minds about pressing charges. I think they’re too ashamed that the two of you kicked all six of their asses.”

“You’re good people, Wren,” Anthony said with a wink. “Don’t let anyone tell you differently.”

Wren’s cheeks flushed unexpectedly and she scoffed. “Get them out of here.”

Anthony stepped ahead to get the door, tossing his jacket into the back seat, and asked, “On a scale of one to ten, with one being not angry and ten being, ‘I’m going to kick your ass, too,’ how pissed are you at me?”

Delilah glanced his way, arching a brow. “I’m at a two.” Her smile disappeared as she quickly added, “But that’s only because you going all agro on a jerk like Brodie isn’t the worst thing that’s happened today.”

“Uh oh, hey,” Anthony said, taking her arm gently and slowing her to a stop to face him. “What else happened after we got picked up?”

“It doesn’t matter.” Delilah extracted her arm from his grasp and handed him the keys. Delilah called over her shoulder to Ryler, “Do you have Pike?”

“Yeah, I’ll take him home,” Ryler said, rolling her eyes. “He’s so tore back, I’m afraid he might pass out if I made him walk.”

Pike snorted, rounding to the passenger side of the rental car. “Don’t act like I’m a chore to be around, when we both know I’m a fucking delight.”

“You’re more like a de-blegh,” she said, making a gagging sound.

“That’s mature,” Pike deadpanned.

“Says the man who looks like he went five rounds with a badger.” Ryler waved at Delilah and Anthony before climbing inside, cutting off the rest of their argument. Delilah walked toward the passenger door and Anthony got ahead of her, opening her door.

“I’m sorry,” he said softly.

“I figured you might be after the fact. I would have been here sooner, but urgent care was backed up.”

“Another thing I feel bad about,” Anthony said, stroking his fingers over her cheek, elated when she didn’t pull away. “I should have been taking care of you.”

“It’s over now, so no use rehashing it. Besides, a mild concussion and a few bumps and bruises isn’t too bad. I should be okay in a couple of days.”

Delilah climbed up into the truck and Anthony took her waist, helping her inside. “No taking advantage of you then, huh?”