way anymore. I was sorry that he’d lost a damn good girl because he’d wanted to see if there was someone better out there for him. It was a choice he’d made, a risk he’d taken, but now, it had backfired.
He opened his mouth to speak, but I didn’t hear a word as I stormed back to our table. Brad was slouched over his chair, sitting with his elbows on his thighs, head down, staring at the floor.
When I approached, he looked up. He looked … defeated. I’d analyze that later. Right now, I needed out of here, far from Jeff and Jean and a past I never wanted to revisit.
“Let’s go. I want to get out of here. Where’s Jean?”
Because she wasn’t at the table anymore.
“No idea.”
“I don’t care. I just want to leave.”
“Sure.” His voice was soft and resigned when he stood to face me. “You don’t have to do this, you know? Pretend and spare my feelings. I’m a big boy.”
I reeled back. “What the hell are you talking about?”
His eyes focused behind me, and he tipped his chin toward the restroom. “I was back there. I saw—”
“Him kissing me against my will,” I cut him off, pissed off and annoyed. Now wasn’t the time for me to console the wounded soldier. Later maybe, but not now. “And then trying it again.”
“What?” Brad growled, his demeanor changing like a light switch. “You didn’t let him kiss you?”
I rapidly blinked, wanting to pull my hair out. Am I on an episode of The Twilight Zone?
“Um, no. He’s in a relationship, and even if he weren’t, I still wouldn’t let that asshole touch me.” I shook my head. “Let’s just get out of here. I need to leave before I go crazy and tell Jean she can do better than his cheating, lying ass.”
When Brad moved past me, his focus toward the restrooms, I gripped his wrist. “He’s not worth it. Let’s go.”
“I’m not letting this go.” Brad’s body was tight as a rope, his eyes promising revenge. “I just need to set him straight.”
“Brad …” Seriously, what was a black-and-blue Jeff going to help my situation? As far as I was concerned, this was part of my history that was officially closed.
“I swear, I’ll only have words.”
I gulped, though the evil part of me wanted Jeff to be put in his place. I had earlier, but I doubted he’d heard me with his focus on attacking my lips. Maybe repetition was the key. So, against my better judgment, I let Brad go. It was like releasing a bull into the ring.
Brad
I stalked down the hall, straight into the restroom, and right by Jeff’s urinal.
“What the hell, man?” He pushed his pathetic dick back in his pants and zippered himself up.
I took a step forward, my hands fisting. Maybe there would be more than words.
“Do you mind?” he snapped.
“Yes, I do fucking mind.” My tone was cool but barely controlled. “I mind you kissing my girlfriend.” Because, in every meaning of the word, she belonged to me even though we hadn’t formally talked about it and we hadn’t had sex. Sonia was mine the moment I’d agreed to her deal. “And I just want to make it perfectly clear that you’re not going to touch her ever again.”
“Whatever.” He walked to the sink and rinsed off his hands. “She has her own mind to make her own decisions.”
I chuckled. Well, well, well. And, now, this tall guy has grown a spine.
Grinning somewhat psycho-ish, I pushed him against the wall, and his eyes went wide. “I think she’s made her decision, and it’s not you,” I ground out.
I couldn’t remember the last time I’d punched a guy. Those days of drunken brawls had ended in college, but I’d never wanted to bust a perfect face more than I did right now.
I stepped into him, nose-to-nose, so he’d understand my next words. His body turned rigid.
“You fucked up.” I shoved him against the wall. “And, for that, I want to thank you because I know what not to do.” I stepped away because he wasn’t worth it, and I didn’t trust myself. I had a girl waiting for me outside this door, ready to go home, and right now, that took precedence.
When I walked out, I reached for Sonia’s hand and pulled her out of the pizza joint.
“What happened?”
I nearly dragged her down the street toward my car, silent the whole way.
“Brad! I’m talking to you.”
When we reached the car, I