The thought of him getting near that body made me want to hurl another bowling ball.
I shoved a few more fries into my mouth and then handed the tray to the girls.
I felt Sadie’s eyes on me as I walked over to the adjacent chairs and sat down. But before I could return her gaze, Camden plopped down next to her and handed her a beer.
“For m’lady,” he said, nursing his own bottle.
Sadie took it, but I could tell from her wrinkled nose and the way her fingertips held the bottle, she didn’t want to drink it.
“I’m okay,” she said, holding the beer out.
“Ooo, do you mind if I have it, then?” Holly asked.
Sadie nodded, but just as she passed it over to Holly, Camden slipped it out of her hand.
“Oh no, this is for you.” He leaned in and practically pressed his lips to her ear.
His whole demeanor was suspicious. I hadn’t watched the drink like I should have—it was an open bottle. The way he insisted Sadie take a sip had me wondering if he’d slipped something in there. I tried to shrug it off, but I was suspicious by nature, and a cop, so I really didn’t have a choice.
I stood. “Can I speak to you?” I asked as I pointed to Camden.
From his cloudy gaze and half-cocked smile, he was buzzed. If this was his first beer, he shouldn’t be that far gone. There was no way I was going to spend the rest of the night watching him become more intoxicated and less filtered.
Sadie didn’t deserve to have a man with lowered inhibitions hanging on her.
“Me?” Camden asked as he splayed his hand out on his chest.
I nodded. “Outside.”
He shook his head and tightened his grip on Sadie’s shoulders. My gaze flicked down to his arm and then back over to him. I hoped he could see the anger that burned inside of me.
But from the dopey look on his face, he did not.
“We’re just getting to know each other. Geez, Mr. Boy Scout.” He planted his other hand firmly onto Sadie’s thigh.
Having enough of his groping hands, I reached forward and pushed it away. That seemed to spur him on, and a moment later, his fist connected with my jaw.
I staggered back, the lights around me flickering as I tried to get my bearings. The sound of the bass mixed with the strobing lights set something off inside of me. I wasn’t here, and I wasn’t there, but a sense of danger swam over my skin and pulled me under. Without thinking, I lunged for him, and my fist connected with his face. And connected again.
Two arms wrapped around me from behind, pinning my arms to my chest. I shifted and growled, fighting against whoever was holding me. Sadie was in danger—couldn’t they see that?
“Chill,” Carter’s sharp voice sounded in my ear and yanked me back to the present. My ears flooded with country music, and I shook my head. Had the song changed? I hadn’t noticed, and that scared me a little. I shook my head again, fighting the demons.
I stopped struggling against him, and when I was sure I was okay, I nodded. “I’m good,” I said.
Carter let me go and stepped back. He winced when he saw my face, and it wasn’t until I saw his reaction that I tasted the blood. I reached up to gingerly touch my bottom lip. A stinging sensation rushed through me as I found the gash.
I lifted an eyebrow.
“No stitches,” he replied as he ran his hand through his hair—a sign of exasperation. “Go home and take care of that. I’ll see to moron over here.” He nodded toward the cowering Camden who held the side of his face as if I’d caved it in. I hated the fact that my little brother was cleaning up my mess, but I knew enough to agree. When he was in doctor mode, there was no arguing with him.
I shot Holly an apologetic smile and turned just as Carter called out, “Sadie? Go with him and make sure he gets home safely.”
“Um, yeah, sure.” Her voice sent ripples of comfort over me, but I kept my gaze down and focused on getting out of this place. Everyone there watched me leave. I was the guy who was supposed to break up fights, not step right into them. I prayed my boss wouldn’t hear about this. But with the all cell phones snapping pics, I didn’t stand a chance.
We walked side-by-side to my motorcycle and climbed on. One good thing about riding on a bike, conversation was basically nonexistent. I had no idea what she was thinking, but I came up with several scenarios—each one worse than the last.
Even though I wanted to hit a higher gear, open up the engine, and take curves at a full tilt—I was more worried about Sadie’s safety. I’d promised I’d bring Parker’s mom home safe and sound, and I was going to do just that. Besides, I’d never forgive myself if something happened to her on my watch.
We rolled into the garage, and I killed the engine. Just as the rumble died down, my anger deflated, and I was left with a handful of regret and the strange sense that I hadn’t been me back there.
Sadie was the first one off the bike, and when she pulled off her helmet, I winced. She’d really perfected the disappointed-mother look.
I contemplated staying in the safety of my own helmet. Sadie folded her arms and raised her eyebrows. She was not going to let this go. She wanted to talk about what had happened, and I was going to listen to what she had to say.
I sighed and slipped my helmet off.
“What in the ever-loving heck just happened?” she asked throwing her arms out as she spoke.
I studied my bike for a moment before I glanced at her. I needed to prepare myself for the scolding I was sure to come. But when I met her gaze, she sucked in her breath.
“Your lip,” she said softly as she stepped closer, putting her inches away from me.
I became very aware of her presence. She studied my face with her brows furrowed. She pressed her lips, and I saw a shift in her eyes.
“That will get infected if you don’t clean it up. Come with me.” She grabbed my hand and pulled me toward her apartment.
The feeling that came from her hand wrapped around mine made me forget my pounding headache and my split lip. Her hand was tiny in my own, but she had this command about her that told me she was anything but tiny.
She didn’t let go of my hand until we were standing in her kitchen. I glanced around, noting how amazing this apartment looked with her things in it. She’d really taken this small space and made it her own.
“Sit down, and I’ll get my first aid kit,” she said as she waved toward the chair she’d pulled out.
I nodded and sat. I watched her as she walked down the small hallway to the left. I knew where she was going. The bathroom was on the right of the hallway.
Feeling more at ease than I had all night, I sat back in the chair, relaxing. I took a deep breath and closed my eyes. For this moment, I was going to allow myself to feel. I was going to allow myself to enjoy the fact that Sadie was so close to me.
I knew as soon as I left, reality would have to set in, and I would return to my previous promise of keeping my distance and keeping her safe.
But for now, I wasn’t going to think.
For now, I was going to enjoy my time with Sadie.
It was what my heart needed, and for once, I was going to listen to my heart.
Chapter 13
Sadie
I wasn’t sure what had happened, but something shifted inside of me when I saw Mason hurt. I’d been so mad at him at the bowling alley, acting like my big brother or my dad—going all commanding officer and pretending like he was in charge of my life.