“I never said I wanted her back.”
Libby sighed. “But you do and now you’ve made me the bad guy. I like her, Boxer. She’s sweet. Although she won’t talk to me.”
Tara nudged her arm. “Libs, that’s because you’re the other woman.” She winked at both of us. “Good night, all.”
“Later.” I waved to Hero.
“Great, now you’ve made me a cunt.” Libby pouted.
I rubbed her thigh. “No, you’re not, babe. I’m sorry I dragged you into this.”
“Don’t do it again, Box. From here on out, I’m not going to be with you anymore. If Aspen leaves for good, then we’ll resume stuff.” She lifted off my lap and went to Grizzly.
I shifted in my chair, feeling like a total jackass. Aspen was gone, presumably with Lynx and Jill taking her to the dorms.
Across the table, Wolf shot daggers at me.
I threw my hands up. “What can I say? Aspen brings out the worst in me.”
“That’s a lousy excuse for behaving like a piece of shit.” He leaned forward, cocking his head. “Spill it, brother. I haven’t wanted to ask about Aspen. You know it isn’t my way to interfere, but I have something at stake here… Jill’s happiness. And Aspen’s as well.”
“What do you mean, Aspen’s as well?”
“That blonde beauty has managed to find favor with this Russian Giant.” He hit his hand against his chest like a caveman. “I’ll pummel anyone who hurts her, including you.”
“How the fuck did that happen? She’s only been here twenty-four hours.” I guzzled my beer.
“She’s a powerful little thing. She’s like my baby sister. Seeing her crying earlier. In pain but fighting to be strong and hold it together during church. Hell, I admire her. She’s one tough lady. I don’t want to see her get hurt.”
“Look, it would kill me to hurt her. Truly.” I leaned toward him, lowering my voice. Shit was about to get real. “If the love gods granted me one wish, I’d want it to be her. Man, do I want it to be her.”
His bushy black eyebrows shot up. “Really? I’m shocked because you’re not making it easy for her. The poor thing is scared and hurting.”
“She didn’t look scared or hurting, giggling with Lynx.”
Wolf shook his head. I could tell he was ashamed of me. “She told us she wanted to get drunk so she wouldn’t fall apart.”
My eyes went wide. Aspen had never been one to reveal her feelings. When it was just us, she would open up to me. Closing herself off to people had a lot to do with her mom, who’d left her dad when Aspen was six. Her mom didn’t want to be a wife and mother.
“Brother, Aspen had silenced the table. She told us she wanted to drink enough to make her pass out tonight. She’s tired of fearing for her life. Doesn’t want to think about how she lost her baby.”
I dropped my head in shame. “Fuck, I’m an asshole.” Hearing this about Aspen destroyed a piece of me. I was disgusted with myself for what I’d just pulled with Libby. Not that I owed Aspen anything. We weren’t together. Both of us were free to do as we pleased. But I shouldn’t have thrown Libby in her face or used my friend.
“Give her a break. She’s been through hell. Be the bigger man and put your differences aside.”
Shit, Wolf was right. He always could talk sense into me.
“I’ll try,” I told him. “No more brutal Boxer.”
“Good. I’m gonna go find Jill.” He lifted his massive frame out of the chair. “Church is at eight in the morning. Storm got a text from Ciro. We should have an update on Casso.”
“I’ll be there.”
My gaze swept across all the empty chairs surrounding me. I sure as fuck knew how to clear out a table.
You, lousy son of a bitch.
I left the bar, not wanting to deal with anyone, and went up to my room. In the morning, I’d be better toward Aspen. I could put our differences aside. Let go of the past.