Paul and Matt sauntered over to Grey's table.
Grey set his coffee cup aside. "Hello, Finch. Parker."
"Landin," said Paul. "I heard something about you."
"Oh yeah? What's that?" Grey moved slightly. Ali could tell that he was getting ready to get up quickly, without being trapped by the booth.
"I heard you went home with my baby sister and didn't treat her so good," Paul said.
Grey's eyes immediately went to Ali.
She didn't want to get involved in this. She didn't even want to see whatever was about to happen.
But she didn't want Grey to think she'd sicced her brother on him, either.
"Stop it, Paul," she said, loudly and clearly. "I didn't tell you to make any trouble. You're not doing me any favors."
Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Rhonda poke her head out of the office down the hall. Great. Now on top of everything else, her boss would be pissed at her for bringing trouble into the place.
Matt hadn’t said anything yet. Why would he be here with Paul? He didn’t care what anyone did to Ali.
"Ali," Paul was saying, "I know you don't take care of yourself so well. You gotta stop getting yourself in trouble, but until then, maybe the guys who get you in trouble need a lesson, too."
"Just go away, Paul," she said wearily, with no hope of being listened to.
Grey raised his eyebrows. "The lady asked you to go away."
Matt laughed.
Grey transferred his gaze to him. Matt rocked back on his heels a little, like he’d felt a physical blow.
But Matt rallied quickly and stepped forward. "Listen, kitty cat, I don’t care what she said, we’re not going away until you man up and fight."
Grey stood up abruptly, rattling his coffee cup on the table. "You listen to me. I don't hold for that sort of bullshit.”
Grey turned to Paul. “You think you're protecting your sister?” He pointed at her. “She just told you what she wants, and it's not what you're doing. If you want to fight me, I’m more than happy to fight. But don't pretend it's on her behalf. You’re not listening to a word she says."
Ali wondered what he was doing. He didn't need to be considerate about her feelings anymore. Was he trying to win her back?
Matt sneered at Grey. “You too scared to fight us? Trying to make excuses?”
“Being a man means respecting women enough to listen to them.”
Matt laughed. “You listen to women? Kitty cat, no wonder you’re nothing but a pussy.”
“Look, Ali doesn’t always choose guys who are good for her,” Paul interrupted, glancing at Matt. “We just want to make sure you don’t bother her again.”
Grey looked at Paul. “You think you know what’s best for the lady better than she does?”
Matt broke in, probably sensing that they were getting further from actually fighting. “Ali Parker ain't no lady. But that doesn’t mean a little kitty cat can mess with anyone in this town. I’ve been wanting to drive you out for a long time, now.”
Grey stepped right up to Matt and pointed at him, almost poking him in the chest. "Watch your mouth. ‘Ali Parker ain't no lady’? What the hell is that supposed to mean?"
"It means she gets herself in trouble with assholes like you!" Paul glared at Grey. "That's my sister you're talking about."
"That's your sister he's talking about!" Grey turned on Paul. "Are you saying she likes to date? That doesn't make her less of a lady. She can do whatever she damn well wants. And you should listen to her when she talks."
"You should stop acting like you can order us around," Matt snarled. "Or we'll show you what—"