“It’s not.” His eyes searched mine. “I can see that it’s not. I’m sorry I got it wrong.”
The door I’d come through only moments before suddenly burst open and banged against the brick wall. War stepped outside, and Bryan released me.
“Sorry for what?” War asked, glancing back and forth between us.
“Just stuff in the past,” Bryan said, and War’s eyes narrowed.
War
“I’m going to class,” Lace said, looking all pissy again, even though her expression had been as soft as cotton candy with Bryan when I’d stepped outside.
“Babe.” I grabbed her arm when she attempted to brush past me. “Stay.”
Her eyes flashed. “Let go of me, Warren.”
“No,” I said firmly, and she frowned.
“That wasn’t a question.”
“I want to talk to you,” I said. “Now.”
“You don’t have anything to say that I want to hear.” She tried to shrug free of my hold. When I wouldn’t let her, she gasped and tugged harder. “Let go.”
“Let her go, War,” Bryan said. His hand fell like a ton of bricks on my arm, and I released her.
“Don’t—” Her voice cracking, she skirted around me, not meeting my eyes. “Don’t ever touch me again.”
That so wasn’t happening.
“Lacey,” I called.
Shrugging off Bryan, I turned to go after her, but the door slammed in my face after she ran back inside. With my fingers opening and closing reflexively at my sides and really wanting to beat the shit out of someone, I spun around and railed at my best friend.
“Bry, what the hell?” I frowned at him. “I wasn’t hurting her. I’d never hurt her.”
“There are more ways than just physical ones to hurt someone.”
“I know.” My brows drew together. I’d been schooled on that my whole damn life. Bryan knew that too. He knew my shit, and I knew all his. We didn’t talk it to death, but there were no secrets between us.
“Yeah, we both have piece-of-shit fathers.” He gave me a long look. “But trust me on this, Lace has had it worse.”
“How much worse?” Staring at the door, I winced as my gut clenched. Lace seemed so put together, so strong, I couldn’t imagine it.
“Not for me to share her secrets, man.”
“C’mon, Bry.” I turned back to look at him. “Help a brother out.”
“No, War. Just . . . a lot of bad stuff happened when we were kids.” His expression darkened. “If she wants to tell you, she will, but that’s up to her. But if she means something to you, I’d advise you to proceed cautiously with her. Physically, especially. You’re not going to get anywhere with her if you don’t take care.”
I scoffed. “You’re acting like she’s some delicate flower.”
“That’s exactly what I’m saying.”
“You’re wrong. She just told Randy off in front of her whole class.” Pride rang in my voice. “And yesterday, she stood up to Belinda, even though that psycho chick pulled a switchblade on her.” I shook my head. “She’s not the little girl you knew. And she’s a lot tougher than you think.”
Bryan frowned. “You don’t know what I think.”
Narrowing my eyes on him, I said, “I don’t like coming out here and seeing your hands on her.”
“She was upset. You upset her.” His gaze a frozen tundra, he lifted his chin. “She’s my friend, and if she needs comforting, I’m going to comfort her. Even if the reason she needs it is because of you.”
“Fucking hell.” I shoved my fists in my jeans pockets. “Fine. Okay. You’re right. But fuck, man, she’s got me all twisted up in knots. I’m trying to do this right, but maybe I should’ve just done things the way I usually do and fucked her last night.”
“She give you that sort of invitation?” he asked, his eyes narrowing.
I almost didn’t tell him the truth, but I sensed I needed his help to have and secure her. “No, not exactly.”
“Right. I thought not. I heard you were with Missy last night.”
“So what?” I let that hang.
“So,” he said slowly, “Lace isn’t like Missy or the other chicks we fuck.”
“I know that. I know she’s different.”
“Yeah, that’s what you say, but I don’t believe you mean it. And if I don’t believe you, why the hell do you think Lace is going to?”
“I hear you,” I mumbled, not liking that he was making sense. It kept me from getting what I wanted right now, which was Lace.
“Do you?” His brows rose almost to his hairline. “Truly?”