Chapter 60
Chapter 60
-Logan-
:
ମୂଳ୍କ (28)
I opened a tab, and my eyes landed on Hailey across the bar. She looked so cute when she was nervous.
I glanced down to grab the shots, and when I looked up again, some asshole was standing next to the booth. Talking to Hailey and her sister.
I didn’t like the look of this guy. Tall, slicked–back hair and a sleazy grin. My jaw clenched as I made my way back over.
I set the shots down rough, almost spilling them. He was mid–sentence. Some smooth–talking bullshit. But I cut him off before he could finish.
“Sorry pal,” I said, low and direct. “Didn’t catch your name.”
The guy froze. His grin slipped a little when he saw me.
His collared shirt and clean–cut jaw screamed frat boy, but the way he looked at me told me he wasn’t as confident as he wanted to seem.
“Uh, name’s Tyler,” he said, extending a hand like he expected me to shake it.
I leaned against the table, crossing my arms over my chest. My cut stretched tight across my shoulders.
“Tyler,” I repeated like it tasted bad. “What brings you over here, Tyler?”
His smile looked almost pained now. But he kept it plastered on. “Just saying hi. I used to hang out with Hailey back in the day.”
I glanced at Hailey, who was shifting in her seat and looking uncomfortable. Her sister was watching me with a mix of amusement and curiosity.
“That right?” I said, my tone flat.
“Yeah,” Tyler said, his voice cracking. He turned back to Hailey, like he was trying to ignore me. “It’s been a while. I really like your tattoos, it’s a cool new look. You were like… totally naked before you left. How’ve you been?”
Hailey opened her mouth to answer, but I cut her off. “She’s good,” I said, my eyes locked on Tyler. “Real good. Anything else you wanna know?”
Tyler’s smile finally disappeared. He took a step back, holding up his hands. “Alright, man. Didn’t mean to step on any toes.”
“You didn’t,” I said, my voice like ice. “But you’re about to.”
He glanced at Hailey one last time before nodding and backing away. Disappearing into the crowd.
19:36 Thu, Jan 1
Chapter 60
I slid into the booth next to Hailey, wrapping an arm around her waist. She was tense.
“You shouldn’t’ve done that,” she murmured.
“Why not?” I asked, pressing a kiss to her temple,
“Because Tyler’s harmless. He just thinks he’s God’s gift to women.”
28
Harmless. Yeah, right. I knew plenty of assholes like Tyler. “He was starin‘ at you like you were a damn buffet,” I muttered.
“Well,” Abby cut in, raising her shot glass, “that was entertaining.”
I grabbed mine, clinking it against hers and then Hailey’s. “Cheers,” I said, tossing it back.
The tequila burned down my throat, but it was nothing compared to the fire in my chest.
I was riled up now.
Hailey’s hand found my leg under the table. “You okay?” she asked softly.
I nodded, squeezing her hand. “Fine. Just don’t like guys like that sniffin‘ around you.”
She smiled, leaning her head on my shoulder. “You’re kinda possessive, you know that?”
“Kinda?” I said, smirking.
Abby snorted. “You two are gross. Seriously. Get a room.”
“Oh, you mean like the one you dragged us out of?” Hailey said, sticking her tongue out.
The night rolled on. Abby was laughing louder. Hailey was tipsy, leaning into me. She’d had just enough to drink to let her walls down. It was making me raw in ways I wasn’t ready to admit.
I was barely buzzed. Had the tolerance of a fuckin bull whether I wanted it or not.
The wing plates were empty. The music was cranked up… some country song about heartbreak blasting through the speakers. People were getting rowdier. Shouting over each other. Slamming their drinks down on tables.
It was the kind of chaos I usually thrived in, but tonight it was grinding on my nerves.
Then I saw him.
Tyler was weaving through the crowd, and I could tell he was drunk.
He stumbled toward our table, and his eyes were locked on Hailey like she was the only thing in the room.
My fists itched.
“Hailey,” he slurred, leaning against the edge of the table. “You know… you deserve better than this guy.”
19:36 Thu, Jan 1
Chapter 60
I felt her go stiff beside me. “What are you talking about, Tyler?”
៩ (28)
He gestured vaguely in my direction. “You deserve someone… morna–morna–NORmal. Someone who doesn’t… doesn’t ride around on a death machine looking for his next felony.”
The room was closing in around me. I wanted to hit him. Wipe that stupid, drunk smirk off his face.
But I didn’t.
I just sat there, my chest burning with rage.
Hailey’s voice cut through the haze. “Tyler, you’re drunk. Call a cab and go home.”
He shook his head, suddenly serious. “I’m not wrong, Hailey. You’re too good for this. For him.”
That was it. I was out of the booth before I realized I was moving. Hailey reached out like she wanted to hold me back, but she didn’t.
And the space between us felt wider than it had all night.
I towered over Tyler, my voice low. “You’re done.”
He blinked up at me, his confidence edging out for a second. Then he smirked like he thought he already won. “What? You gonna hit me, tough guy? Go ahead. Prove my point.”
I exhaled hard. I couldn’t do this. Not here. Not now. Instead, I grabbed him by the collar and hauled him toward the door, his feet stumbling after him.
I heard Abby whistle under her breath. “Damn. Okay, biker boy.”
The crowd parted as I dragged him out into the parking lot. Tossed him to the pavement like a bag of trash.
“Stay the fuck away from her,” I growled, my breath clouding in the cold.
He scrambled to his feet. Bravado was gone, replaced with fear. He didn’t say another word – just turned and stumbled off into the dark.
I pulled my pack out and lit a smoke. My hands were shaking with adrenaline. I was glad I didn’t hit the guy, but his words were still echoing in my head.
‘You deserve better. Someone normal. Less dangerous‘
A small, gnawing part of me wondered if he was right.
When I walked back inside, Hailey looked pissed. Worried.
“I didn’t hit him.” I said.
Her jaw was tight. She nodded, but her eyes kept flicking to my hands like she was checking for blood.
“You okay?” she asked after a beat. Her voice was softer than I expected.
19:36 Thu, Jan 1
Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.
