Page 97 of Mistletoe Mischief

Pike spluttered. “Are you trying to tell me that Anthony Russo, Mr. I Can’t Fall in Love, is besotted with Delilah Gill?”

“That is exactly what I’m telling you. He is head over heels for her, and he gave that up for you.”

“I didn’t ask him to do that!”

“You didn’t have to. You’re his person, Pike. We’re all human, including Anthony, but we rely on the people who love us to realize that and be there when we screw up. Especially when it doesn’t happen often.”

Pike grumbled under his breath about guilt trips, and Noel said loudly, “What was that?”

“I asked if you had any idea where Nick and Anthony are now?”

“Nick said they were going to the gym after work. Of course you’d know that if you’d bothered to call Anthony.”

“Thanks, Noel,” Pike said.

“Anytime, Fish.”

“Are you ever going to stop calling me that?” he groaned.

“It’s a term of endearment at this point, but if you really want me to, I will try to curb the urge.”

“Nah, that’s okay,” Pike said, smiling. “Thanks.”

Pike ended the call and texted Nick. Where are you and why aren’t you answering your phone?

Pike put Jo in her crate, ignoring her protests, and changed his clothes to jeans and a T-shirt. He snatched his jacket off the hook before leaving the house and heading into town, tracking Anthony’s location as he headed to the gym from the store.

A text came through from Nick, and he pressed the button on his steering wheel, playing it over his stereo in a high electronic voice. “At the gym with Anthony. I think he’s going to kick Brodie’s ass. The guy keeps talking about Delilah. You should come help. We can grab a drink after. Winking face emoji.”

Anthony was going to start a fight? Pike had seen him jump in to help a friend or defend someone he cared about, but Pike had never seen him throw the first punch. He definitely wanted to watch that.

His mood lighter than it had been in days, Pike parked as close to the gym entrance as he could get and got out of his car, heading down the sidewalk to the front door. He saw Anthony and Brodie facing off through the glass, and he opened the door, coming up behind Anthony and taking his arm before he let his fist fly.

“Whoa, cowboy,” Pike said in a cheery tone. “Let the Neanderthal go before you catch a case.”

Anthony looked down at Pike with wide eyes and dropped Brodie’s shirt. The minute he was free, Brodie shoved Anthony, who stumbled back into Nick.

“Next time you come at me, Russo, we’re going to finish this outside.”

“Brodie, Brodie,” Pike tsked. “You don’t want to bite off more than you can chew.”

“What the fuck are you talking about, Pike?” Brodie asked, posturing like an aggressive dog. Pike had always thought the big ox was an idiot, even in high school, but by the tense set of Anthony’s jaw, Pike could tell the other man was walking on thin ice.

“I can’t have you putting hands on my boy or his girl,” Pike said, giving Brodie a nod. “You understand? Delilah Gill is off-limits to you and anyone else in this town.”

“I think that’s up to her, don’t you?” Brodie asked.

“You can think that, but then again, I still have a certain photo you probably wouldn’t want going viral on social media.” Pike grinned when Brodie’s face paled, and Pike slapped his shoulder. “Glad we understand each other.”

Pike turned to face Nick and Anthony, cocking his head to the side. “I thought we were going to get a drink?”

“We are,” Nick said.

“Great, let’s vamoose.” Pike pointed at Anthony. “You’re buying every round.”

Pike walked out the door with Nick and Anthony trailing behind.

“What is going on?” Anthony asked. “I thought you were pissed at me.”