Page 32 of 10 Things I Hate About Mistletoe

“Okay.” She dragged out the word before she reached into the pocket of her leggings and pulled out a black earbud case. “See ya.”

Delilah hopped onto the nearest treadmill, setting her pink water bottle in the machine’s cup holder.

“Anthony!” Frank came out of the locker room with Brodie and Trip behind him, dressed in track pants and T-shirts. “These two gentlemen say you shoved them.”

“It was an accident, Frank,” Anthony said, innocently. “I came around the corner and didn’t know they were there until we collided.”

“It’s true,” Nick said.

Trip and Brodie wore identical scowls, but Anthony almost broke when Trip mouthed, Fuck you.

“I’m too old to deal with this shit,” Frank said, throwing up his hands. “When you’re in this building, act like grown-ups. Otherwise, work your shit out elsewhere.”

Frank left them and walked up to the side of Delilah’s treadmill to talk to her. Anthony faced Brodie and Trip with a smirk. “You two tattled over a little bump?”

“Why the fuck did you slam me into the locker?” Brodie grumbled.

“If I needed a reason,” Anthony said, all amusement erased from his demeanor. “I could have found one in any of the douchey things you said.”

“What? You got butt hurt over us talking about banging Delilah Gill?” Trip asked.

Anthony stepped toward him, rumbling in his chest, and Trip’s lips tilted into a smirk. “If she’s on your radar, Russo, maybe I’ve been sleeping on her charms.”

This motherfucker—

Anthony lunged at Trip, but Nick caught him and dragged him toward the front door. Trip jogged backwards a few steps, calling out “Don’t worry, Anthony. I’ll keep her warm for ya!”

Anthony nearly escaped Nick’s hold, his body pulsating with the need to wipe that smug smile off Trip’s stupid fucking face, but Nick tightened his grip and nearly lifted Anthony off his feet.

“Stop fighting me. Fuck!” Nick groaned, getting him through the door and onto the sidewalk before releasing him. He then blocked the door, keeping Anthony from charging back inside.

“Get out of my way, Nick,” Anthony panted darkly.

“No! You need to take a walk because this ain’t you, man! You don’t lose it like this.”

Anthony took a breath, closing his eyes. His friend was right. He was the levelheaded one. Not that he wasn’t willing to jump into a fight, but he didn’t start one over some shit-talking prick he wouldn’t wipe his boots on.

“Do me a favor, alright? Go back inside and make sure that dickhead stays away from Delilah?”

Nick nodded. “I can do that, but I gotta know. Are you interested in her?”

He didn’t know anymore.

“Pike is interested in her. She’s just a friend.”

Nick studied him, and Anthony wasn’t sure if he believed him. “Get out of here and cool off. I’ll keep her safe.”

Chapter Nine

Just because someone is a bachelor doesn’t mean they should be included.”

Delilah nodded, agreeing with Merry. They were sitting around the Winters’ dining room table in Holly and Merry’s parents’ home on Wednesday, discussing the details of the bachelor auction. Although they’d already compiled an excellent list, they were still ten bachelors short, and they’d been deliberating for over an hour.

“They are a part of the town and should be included,” Holly said, writing Trip’s and Brodie’s names on the whiteboard she’d brought. It was propped on an easel, and Merry snagged the eraser from the table. She got up slowly, rubbing her stomach, and Delilah wondered if it hurt or it was an instinctual move.

“Are you going to deal with them during the auction and the days leading up to it?” Merry asked, pointing the eraser at Holly. “Because my blood pressure won’t be able to take it.”

“Lies, you are the picture of health,” Holly said, positioning herself in front of the board. “You just don’t want to deal with them.”