When Brett shoved Lukas and Lukas got in his face, my stomach churned.
Brett was really a big enough ass**le to target Jake’s little brother?
I jerked my head around to make sure Jake hadn’t seen it yet and was relieved to find Amanda Reyes talking to him, keeping him distracted. Anger fueling me, I strode toward Brett ready to kick his ass, only to be abruptly stopped by Alex.
He did not look amused.
“Don’t, Charley. I’ll handle Brett.” He turned on his heel, followed by two more of his buddies, both of them seniors and on the football team. Lukas saw them coming and I saw a flicker of fear in his eyes that I hated. He clearly thought Alex was there to create more hassle. I was so relieved when Alex grabbed Brett by the neck, dominating him. Whatever he said made Brett blanch and nod. Alex let him go and Brett’s face darkened with humiliation. He nodded at Damien and they backed away from Lukas.
While Brett and Damien followed the seniors to the other side of the room, Alex made his way back to me.
“Thank you,” I said as soon as he reached me.
Alex nodded. “I told Brett to back off. I’m not happy with him lately. I’ll try to keep him off your back.” His eyes softened. “You know I don’t want to cause you trouble, Charley.”
“I know that. And I really appreciate you helping out Lukas.”
“No problem. Maybe save me a dance later?”
I felt heat at my back and then Jake asked, “What’s going on?”
I looked up at him over my shoulder and smiled a little weakly. “Nothing.”
When Jake’s eyes hardened, the atmosphere between us thickened. Sensing it, Alex gave him a tough guy chin nod and shot me an appreciative look before heading across the gym to his friends.
“I know when you’re lying, Charley.”
“It was nothing. Brett was giving Lukas a hard time. I was going over there to sort it out but Alex saw it happening and dealt with it.”
Watching the muscle tick in Jake’s jaw, I realized maybe honesty in this instance might not have been the best policy.
“That’s it. I’m done with this shit. He and I are having it out.”
Definitely not the best policy.
“No.” I grabbed his arms, pulling him closer to me. “Alex warned him off and he’s his teammate, so he has sway over him. He’s also friends with the seniors and if Alex asks them to, the seniors on the team won’t have Brett’s back. And if they don’t have his back, Brett is effed.”
Jake ducked his head to meet my gaze as he cupped the back of my neck. “It shouldn’t be up to Alex to deal with someone who is hassling my girl and bullying my brother.”
“Jake, you know Brett is looking for an excuse to fight you. Don’t give it to him. That’s drama we don’t need.”
His grip on me tightened. “You suggesting I’d get hurt in a fight with Brett?”
Giving him my “what the f**k?” face, I answered, “Did I say that? Were those the words that came out of my mouth?”
He stared at me a moment before shaking his head. “Whatever, smart-ass.” Jake sighed but my body relaxed as I realized he was giving in. He released his hold on my nape only to place his hands on my hips. .
“Where are our drinks?”
He shrugged. “I kind of left them when I saw you talking to Alex.”
Of course he did.
Sensing my annoyance at his obvious jealousy, he pulled me closer. “I like your costume.”
“You already said that.”
“I meant it.”