Andrew’s cheek. He’s knocked sideways, landing on the hard tile with a smack.
I gasp but don’t say a word or try to stop Chaser.
“Don’t fuckin’ bro me ever again, motherfucker,” Chaser snarls. He cocks his fist back and punches Andrew in the face again. “You went after my girl behind my back.” Punch. “Lied to my face.” Punch. Punch.
“I can’t help it, Chaser.” Andrew holds up his hands, blocking the blows and scoots backwards. “I’ve got a problem.”
Chaser burrows one hand in Andrew’s hair and yanks his head back. “How many times did I tell you she was off-limits?”
“A lot.”
Without turning around, Chaser motions toward the door. “Go, Mallory.”
“What? No way.”
“I’m not going to kill him.”
“That’s not reassuring.”
Andrew lifts one hand in the air. “I’m not feeling reassured either.”
“Shut up.” Chaser releases Andrew and limps over to me. As furious as he is, he’s gentle as he takes my elbow and guides me to the front door. “Go wait in the car so Andrew and I can talk for a minute. Please?”
Chapter Forty-Two
Chaser
“Are we good now?” Andrew asks after Mallory leaves.
He picks himself up off the floor and warily circles me.
Not trusting his intentions, I track his every movement. “You’re joking, right? You hit on my fiancée and you think we’re cool?”
He touches his jaw. “You punched me. Several times.”
“That doesn’t come close to making us even.”
“You know I’ve got a problem.” He leans his hip against the back of his couch and gives me that pathetic sheepish shrug that’s probably gotten him out of trouble his entire life. “She couldn’t reject me fast enough, so—”
“If you’re waiting for me to say thanks, you can fuck off.”
Shame seems to transform him. His shoulders slump forward and he hangs his head. “I’m really sorry.”
“You don’t understand the meaning of sorry.”
He rubs his fingers over his chest. “No, for the first time, I think I really do. It aches.” He squints as he seems to search for the right words. “It feels heavy in here. I don’t like it.”
“That’s guilt.”
“This is different. Usually I have some momentary disappointment when I don’t get my way. Or, I’ll be mad I got caught. But this…this is so much worse.” He rubs his chest again. “I can’t get rid of the hurt.”
“Save your breakthroughs for therapy.”
“I’m sorry,” he repeats.
Christ, he’s pathetic. “Do you even understand the damage all your shitty behavior causes?”
“I didn’t want to hurt you. I didn’t think—”
“Yeah, you never think. That’s the problem. You let your inner child run loose and create havoc for everyone else to deal with.”
“That’s fair.”
“Fuck you and fair.”
“This is another rock-bottom for me, Chaser. The shooting got me off drugs. And this… You’re one of my only true friends and I don’t want to lose you.”
Some fucking friend. “I don’t think you understand friendship. I’ve put up with a lot of shit, Andrew. A lot.”
“I know.”
“You have some good qualities. I appreciate all the help you’ve given the band, but messing with Mallory and me, you crossed a line—”
“I’m sorry.”
“I believe you.”
“What can I do to make it right?”
“Nothing right now.”
“Will we get through it?”
I stare long and hard at his desperate hound dog face. “Give it time.”
The spark of hope lighting up his childish eyes kicks me in the gut. I’m never getting this lunatic out of my life, am I?
“Tell me what to do, Chaser. And I’ll do it.” He watches me, waiting expectantly for an answer.
I blow out a long breath. “You’re never alone with Mallory again.”
He holds his hands up in the air. “Done. Swear.” Slowly, he lowers his hands. “That’s probably for the best, anyway.”
I growl.
“No, no, I mean, she’s gotta be pretty pissed at me.”
“Her feelings aren’t your concern.”
He taps his chest. “Yeah, but that’s part of what feels so bad in here.” He jerks his shoulders up and down like he’s trying to will the bad feelings away. “Can I at least apologize? I was a real dick to her. I knew I was being an asshole but I couldn’t stop myself.”
“Send it in a letter,” I spit out. Fuck, I knew Mallory held back some of the story, probably figuring I’d kill Andrew if she told me every ugly detail.
“I accept that.” He holds out his arms.
I stare at him in disbelief. “Are you shitting me, right now? I’m not hugging you. I’m not done punching you yet.”
His eyes widen just in time to see my fist flying at his face again.