My fists clench under the table, and it’s taking all my willpower not to get involved. I stand, wanting to go over there so I can hear what he’s saying. The others are too busy chatting to notice me leave, so I inch closer to the crowded bar.
“So you here alone tonight, baby?” the guy asks her with a slur. Asshole’s wasted.
“No, my friends are here.” Lennon’s response is short.
“Ah okay, cool. You wanna come hang with me for a bit?” Fucker has balls of steel.
“I don’t wanna ditch my friends.” Lennon’s being way too damn nice for her own good.
“Oh yeah, cool. Well, are you single? You could give me your number, and we could hang out another night.” My jaw tightens, ready to get in this dude’s face. Lennon’s showing no signs that she’s even remotely interested, yet he continues to push.
Lennon freezes, and I know she’s lost in her head right now. She’s always been able to say she has a boyfriend, and I bet she’s wondering how to answer the question.
When she doesn’t answer, I know she needs an out and say fuck it and walk up to her other side. “You okay?” I ask her, purposely ignoring the other dude.
She looks up at me with tears in her eyes. Yep, I knew she was thinking about how she’s single but not by choice and how much that hurts.
The bartender finally comes up and apologizes for taking so long. I slap down a five-dollar bill, and Lennon grabs the beer. She turns, and we begin to walk away when the guy speaks up.
“Fuckin’ whore,” he nearly shouts.
I turn around and stalk toward him. “The fuck did you just call her?”
“I think you heard me loud and clear.” He stands taller, brave.
“Better back the hell off,” I warn him.
“I was asking her out, and you come up and pay for her beer, and now she’s willing to go home with you?” He scoffs. “So yeah, she’s a whore. A cheap one too.”
It takes me less than a second to pull my arm back and deck this asshole in the nose. He whips back, then hunches over, covering his face with both hands.
“Hunter!” Lennon screeches, grabbing my attention. “He’s not worth it! He’s drunk,” she tells me. She’s never seen me fight before, which is something I don’t talk about anyway. I’ve been fighting since I was a teen; not that my dad left me any other choice.
The guy pushes against my chest, blood dripping from his nose. “What the fuck was that for, you pussy!”
People at the bar fan out, not wanting to get in the way. I vaguely hear the bartender telling us to get the hell out, but the moment this fuck calls her a whore again, I see red and lose my cool.
I swing again, my fist connecting with his face even harder this time. That should successfully break his nose. “You gonna apologize to her, dickwad. Have some fuckin’ manners when talking to a lady next time.”
Before I get a response, Mason and Liam are pulling me away as the bartender threatens to call the police. They walk me toward the door, and I push them off before we get out.
“I can walk myself,” I tell them. I’m so fired up, I might punch anyone who puts their hands on me.
The crisp air slaps me as I hit the sidewalk and start walking. I’m not leaving without Lennon, but she’s probably pissed at me for ruining her evening.
I turn around and wait for her to come out. The guys left me out here to calm down so I don’t get arrested, but I need to make sure Lennon’s okay.
Moments later, she comes rushing out and looks for me. I say her name, and she hurries toward me. I’m in complete shock when she runs forward, wrapping her arms around me. She hugs me so tight, I feel every inch of her body. I wrap an arm around her and hold her closely. She pulls back slightly and inspects me for injuries.
“Are you okay?” Her voice shakes.
“Lennon, I’m fine. The guy barely touched me.”
I glance over her head and see Liam and Mason. They’re staring at me in disapproval, but fuck what they think. They have no idea that I’ve beat myself up every single day for having feelings for Brandon’s girlfriend. I tried to fight it, and neither knows the pain this causes me. I know she could never be more than a friend. It’s all we can ever be. The fact that I knew Brandon’s plan to propose eats at me daily, but there’s nothing I can do about it. Telling her would only hurt her, and she’s finally allowing herself to have a good time again.
Looking down at Lennon, I see her lips tremble. “Are you alright?” I grab her shoulders and force her eyes on mine.