I nodded once. “Okay. You’re oblivious to all women, now. I get it. I should be making the same effort.”
“It would be nice.” He was clearly trying to subdue his temper, and it was a bit unnerving to be on the wrong side of his wrath. His eyes were still bright with anger, and an innate urge to go on the offensive bubbled to the surface.
“You’re going to have to tone down the jealous boyfriend-thing, Travis. I didn’t do anything wrong.”
Travis shot me an incredulous look. “I walk up here, and some guy is buying you a drink!”
“Don’t yell at her!” America said.
Shepley put his hand on Travis’ shoulder. “We’ve all had a lot to drink. Let’s just get out of here.” Shepley’s usually calming effect was lost on Travis, and I was instantly annoyed that his tantrum had ended our night.
“I have to tell Finch we’re leaving,” I grumbled, shouldering past Travis to the dance floor.
A warm hand encapsulated my wrist. I wheeled around, seeing Travis’ fingers locked without regret. “I’ll go with you.”
I twisted my arm from his grip. “I am fully capable of walking a few feet by myself, Travis. What is wrong with you?”
I spied Finch in the middle, and pushed my way out to him.
“We’re leaving!”
“What?” Finch yelled over the music.
“Travis is in a pissy mood! We’re leaving!”
Finch rolled his eyes and shook his head, waving as I left the dance floor. Just as I spotted America and Shepley, I was tugged backward by a man in a pirate costume.
“Where do you think you’re going?” he smiled, bumping up against me.
I laughed and shook my head at the silly face he was making. Just as I turned to walk away, he grabbed my arm. It didn’t take long for me to realize he wasn’t grabbing at me, he was grabbing for me—for protection.
“Whoa!” he cried, looking beyond me with wide eyes.
Travis barreled his way onto the dance floor, and plunged his fist straight into the pirate’s face, the force sending both of us to the ground. With my palms flat on the wooden floor, I blinked my eyes in stunned disbelief. Feeling something warm and wet on my hand, I turned it over and recoiled. It was covered in blood from the man’s nose. His hand was cupped over his face, but the bright red liquid poured down his forearm as he writhed on the floor.
Travis scrambled to pick me up, seeming as shocked as I was. “Oh shit! Are you all right, Pidge?”
When I got to my feet, I yanked my arm from his grip. “Are you insane?”
America grabbed my wrist and pulled me through the crowd to the parking lot. Shepley unlocked his doors and after I slid into my seat, Travis turned to me.
“I’m sorry, Pigeon, I didn’t know he had a hold of you.”
“Your fist was two inches from my face!” I said, catching the oil-stained towel Shepley had thrown at me. I wiped the blood from my hand, revolted.
The seriousness of the situation darkened his face and he winced. “I wouldn’t have swung if I thought I could have hit you. You know that right?”
“Shut up, Travis. Just shut up,” I said, staring at the back of Shepley’s head.
“Pidge…,” Travis began.
Shepley hit his steering wheel with the heel of his hand. “Shut up, Travis! You said you’re sorry, now shut the fuck up!”
The trip home was made in complete silence. Shepley pulled his seat forward to let me out of the car, and I looked to America, who nodded with understanding.
She kissed her boyfriend goodnight. “I’ll see you tomorrow, Baby.”
Shep nodded in resignation and kissed her. “Love you.”
I walked past Travis to America’s Honda, and he jogged to my side. “C’mon. Don’t leave mad.”
“Oh, I’m not leaving mad. I’m furious.”
“She needs some time to cool off, Travis,” America warned, unlocking her door.
When the passenger side lock popped, Travis held his hand against the door. “Don’t leave, Pigeon. I was out of line. I’m sorry.”