I focus on my breathing as the sounds of grunts and punches fill the night.
When the other men get back into the car, things get really awkward. There’s not enough space in the back for four of us. Rhett slips in on my right side. When he pulls me onto his lap, I almost start to fight. But then I see his bloody knuckles, and I let him hold me. He won’t hurt me after fighting for me. At least I hope he won’t.
“You okay, babe?” His voice is like a cold shower on my overheating brain.
I drop my chin to my chest so they won’t be able to see the lingering fear and embarrassment on my face.
Rhett surprises me by placing a kiss to my hair as he pulls me against his chest. His arms circle me protectively and he holds me tightly.
He just holds me. There are no perverted remarks. No flirting.
Gosh, I need this so much. It’s like a soothing balm on my frail nerves.
When they park in front of my apartment block, I hear Carter ask, “Why the fuck were you walking the streets in the middle of the night?”
Logan gets out first. I start to move, but Rhett slides out of the car, taking me with him. He keeps an arm around me for which I’m thankful. Maybe he’ll keep Carter from killing me.
I glance up, but when I see the anger on Carter’s face, I quickly look away.
Wrapping my arms around my waist, I whisper, “My truck wouldn’t start this morning.”
“So you decide to go for a fucking midnight stroll and endanger yourself?” he grinds the words out.
The shock of the night starts to wear off, and I scowl at Carter.
“I can’t fucking fly, asshole!”
Anger rips through me, and I yank away from Rhett. I start to walk away, but my anger gets the better of me.
“What is it to you anyway?” I say, my voice dangerously close to sounding hysterical.
He stalks towards me, his long legs making quick work of the short distance between us.
The sudden close proximity of his body makes my pulse rate spike. Confusion swirls in my mind and I feel like a bug, ass-splatting against a windshield.
Rhett again surprises me when he steps in front of me, shielding me from Carter with his body.
“You need to calm down. She’s had a hell of a night. I’m taking her up.”
Rhett takes hold of my hand and pulls me away from Carter. I feel like a zombie as I trail behind him.
When we get to my apartment, he holds out his hand to me. “Give me the key, babe.”
I start to dig
in my bag, and when I find them, I hand it over with a trembling hand.
A headache is starting to pulse right behind my eyes.
Rhett opens the door and lets me walk in first. It’s quiet in the apartment. I’m not sure if the other girls are home.
I walk into the kitchen and get myself a bottle of water and some aspirin. Only when I’ve swallowed it down, do I see that the guys have all come inside.
“What’s wrong with your truck?” Jaxson suddenly asks, catching me a little off guard with his question.
I clear my throat and take a breath before answering him. “It just makes this whining sound when I turn the key.”
“Give me the keys and I’ll take a look at it for you.”