Series Starter Firsts in Series Collection - Kaylee Ryan Page 0,373

I send Allison a text telling her and Hailey to meet Aiden and me at the main entrance. Her reply is, ‘hurry your fine ass up, I need a hug.’ I laugh, of course, I’m going to hurry. There’s nothing I want more than to wrap my girl up in my arms.

As we approach the entrance my eyes immediately start scanning for the girls. When I spot them, I’m overtaken by anger. The high I was feeling from our win instantly dissolves. Hales and Allie are leaning against the wall, and those fuckers, Jason and Todd, are standing in front of them, blocking them in. I can see they’re trying to be cordial, but are uncomfortable with the situation. I look over at Aiden; he’s obviously just as pissed off as I am.

I step behind Jason, place my hand on his shoulder, close to his neck, and squeeze as hard as I can. His knees buckle as he turns to face me. He throws his arm back, like he’s going to punch me, and I catch it mid-air. Aiden’s standing toe-to-toe with Todd, neither of them moving.

“I suggest you leave my girl and my sister alone, unless you’re yearning to get your ass handed to you again,” I snarl at him.

“Fuck you! You’re all talk. Hit me and see where you land with the NFL,” he spits back.

I grip his arm tighter in my hand. I can see the tension in his jaw; I’m hurting him. Good, after what he did to Allie, he’s damn lucky I haven’t unleashed my wrath on him. “You listen to me, and listen good, mother fucker. Those girls are my life, so don’t you think for a second the NFL, or anything else, is going to keep me from protecting them.”

I look over and see Hales and Allie are both tucked in close on either side of Aiden, he has his arm around each of their shoulders. Todd has his hand on Jason’s shoulder, trying to pull him away from me. I stretch my arm that isn’t touching him out toward Allie. I immediately feel her small hand grip mine, only then do I release my hold on Jason. I pull Allie as close as I can get her, Aiden does the same with Hales. “The next time I see you anywhere near either one of them, I’ll beat you within an inch of your life,” I seethe.

Jason stares at me, not moving and not saying a word. Todd’s still trying to pull him away silently. A campus police officer walks up. “Hey, MacCoy, Emerson, everything all right here?” he asks in an authoritative voice.

“We’re all good, these guys were just leaving,” I say back to him, never breaking eye contact with Jason. They both nod at the security guard, turn, and walk away.

I draw Allie close and hug her, like my life depends on it. I pull away and tuck a loose strand of hair behind her ear. “You okay, baby?”

She nods yes as she turns to look at Hales. I refuse to let go of her, so I move closer to where Hailey and Aiden are standing. I keep one arm around Allie and the other reaches for Hailey; she doesn’t make any attempt to come to me. Aiden has her clutched tight to his side. I rest my hand on her shoulder “You alright?” She simply nods.

I nod at Aiden, a silent communication of me letting him know I appreciate that he has my back protecting Hales. I hug Allie again and kiss her on top of the head. “Let’s stay in tonight, instead of going out, we can order pizza.” She looks to Hailey for her approval, who nods in agreement, and with that we are headed home. I call and order delivery on the way there, so the pizza will arrive about the same time we do.

Back at the apartment, Aiden and I grab quick showers. I walk out of my room the same time Aiden walks out of his, and I follow him down the hall toward the living room. I suddenly bump into him, and when I look up he has his finger to his lips to tell me to be quiet. I raise my eyebrow in question as he mouths ‘listen’ to me.

We stand still in the hallway and listen to the girls. I feel bad for eavesdropping, but I know this might be my chance to find out what really happened with those two fuckwads.