“I’d never take a guy out on purpose,” Beau says. He has dark hair, full lips, and a square jaw—Stella is a sucker for a square jaw.
“Yeah-fucking-right.” Garrison has circled back. He looks only slightly less pissed off. He steps toward Beau. When Felix tries to intervene again, he holds up a hand. “I’m cool.”
He doesn’t seem cool. His shirt is untucked and the balled fist at his side is red and swollen, but Felix lets him by. “You expect me to believe that shit, Ricci? You fucking coward.”
“You don’t even know me,” Beau says with a small shrug. He wipes blood from his lip. Garrison gets in his face, but Beau doesn’t back down. “I don’t want to fight you, but I’m not walking away from Stella unless she tells me to.”
Beau is different than I expected. All of Felix’s teammates are ready to pounce, and he’s so chill about it. Maybe because he’s way outnumbered. Maybe he really does care for my sister enough that he’s willing to get his face pounded.
“Okay, that’s enough.” Teddy’s voice is low and controlled, and everyone listens. He glances at the entrance, where security guards are surveying the situation. “We need to take this somewhere else before they call the cops.”
Felix nods. “Agreed. We’re done here. It’s time for you to leave, Ricci. Keep your dirty games to the field and leave my sister out of it.”
Felix turns for his car. The rest of the guys are already piling in. We brought two vehicles tonight, but Stella and I rode with Felix. My brother tosses Teddy the keys to his Corvette. “Come on, Stell.”
She doesn’t budge from Beau’s side.
“Stella,” Felix says again.
“No,” she says. “This is dumb. You can’t tell me who to date. Beau is a great guy. If you’d just take a breath and get to know him, you—”
“It’s okay,” Beau interrupts her when it’s clear that Felix isn’t listening. His voice lowers where only she and I can hear him. “Go with your brother. We’ll talk tomorrow.”
“I’m sorry. This wasn’t supposed to go this way.” A tear slides down her face.
He wipes it away with the pad of his thumb. “It’s okay. Go, baby.”
“You didn’t even give him a chance!” Angry tears fill Stella’s eyes. She leans forward from the back seat to yell at Felix.
Teddy is silent as he drives us back to the cabin. I hate when Stella and Felix fight. I’d usually be the one trying to make peace, but this is messy, and I don’t know who is right here.
“You’re catching me a little off guard here, Stell.” Felix’s voice is softer but still has an edge. “You and Beau Ricci?!”
“Yes!” She throws her hands up in the air. “He isn’t the guy you think he is. He’s funny witty, and sweet.”
“Sweet?” Felix’s voice rises in question. “He has a reputation for being a player.”
“He likes to have a good time.”
“The guy is a wrecking ball, Stell.”
“I know, I know. You think he took Garrison out on purpose. I don’t believe that for a second. You don’t know him like I do.”
At the cabin, we pile out of the car. Garrison is loud as he paces the front porch, obviously still riled up.
“Ah, shit,” Teddy says. “I got him.”
Felix lets out a long breath, then looks to Stella. “Let’s talk about it tomorrow.”
“There is nothing to talk about. I like him. I’m going to keep seeing him.”
“How do you know he isn’t just using you to piss me and the guys off?”
“That’s a low blow even for you.” She stalks off.
“Fuck,” Felix mutters. He looks to me for backup, but I don’t have any idea what to say.
I chase after Stella. I find her in the bedroom, packing.