I roll my eyes. “Just drive the car, drama queen.”
He sighs as we jolt away from the curb, one hand gripping the wheel tightly as we merge into traffic. His other hand is twined tightly with mine on the console between us, which only adds to the warm glow spreading inside me.
Lancaster is in custody.
Christmas was actually kind of amazing.
Five kickass women befriended me against my will.
And it’s all because of this amazing man, holding my hand and simultaneously holding my whole world together.
I don’t know if it’s sheer force of will or pure stubbornness driving him to try to save me from everything — even myself. Frankly, I don’t care.
So long as he keeps being here, holding my hand and leading me through this mess called life, I think I’ll be okay.
Does that scare the shit out of me?
Of course. I’ve never been one to willingly depend on another person.
Does that mean I’m going to run?
No fucking way.
* * *
There’s a line around the corner outside the gym when we arrive. It takes an eternity to find parking nearby and by the time we make it down the narrow side street to Scythe Gym, there must be a hundred people waiting to get in.
More than a few boos and grumbles emanate from the crowd as I lead Parker to the front of the line where Colton is standing with several large bouncers, collecting cash cover charges and shamelessly ogling the girls at the front of the line who are wearing a shockingly small amount of clothing, given the fact that it’s about twenty degrees outside.
“Colt!”
“Babe!” Colton reaches out a beefy arm and grabs me in a bear hug. He spins me around in a circle before setting me back on my feet. “Happy New Year.”
“Put me down, you oaf.” I elbow him and glance at Parker, who’s glaring at the buff fighter with a look I’ve only ever seen him use around Luca.
I swallow. “Colt, meet Parker. Parker, meet Colton.”
Parker gives a stiff nod to Colt.
Colt returns the nod with narrowed eyes.
Idiots.
“Oh-kay. Now that we’ve gotten those warm introductions out of the way, maybe we can go inside? It’s fucking freezing out here.” I glare at Colt and gesture at the doors.
“Go ahead.” He sweeps an arm toward the entrance. “I’ll see you in there.”
“Okay. And don’t forget, I have a group of friends coming, too. You’ll get them in, right?”
“Depends.” Colt looks contemplative. “Are they cute?”
“Well, one’s married with kids, one’s knocked up, one’s freshly engaged, one’s soon to be divorced, and the other is already half-in-love with Luca.” I tilt my head. “So…”
“Babe.” Colton shakes his head. “Never tell me the odds.”
I laugh. “You’re insufferable.”
“Hey, what’s a guy to do? I spent ten years pining over you, and you never even blinked at me. Had to move on eventually.” He ruffles my hair until my clip falls to the pavement. His voice drops to a whisper. “Still secretly holding out hope though.”
“Oh, shut up, you big buffoon.” I roll my eyes. “You’ll get them in?”
A dimple pops in his cheek. “For you? ‘Course I will, babe.”
“Thanks, Colt.” I sigh and reach for Parker’s hand. “Come on, playboy. Let’s head in.”
The men exchange another set of frosty nods, which makes me sigh deeply. Parker’s fingers engulf mine as we walk into the gym, leaving a grinning Colton on the street. I shake my head disapprovingly at him before we disappear inside.
“What is it with you boys and your macho posturing?” I ask, staring up at Parker as soon as the doors shut behind us. It’s pretty crowded inside — not full to capacity yet, but certainly getting there. The crowd pulses like a living organism as money and alcohol are passed around, charging the air with adrenaline.
“Another one,” Parker mutters.
“What?” I yell over the roar of the crowd.
He looks down at me. “Another guy, in love with you.”
“Colt was kidding.”
“No, Zoe.” Parker’s eyes are serious. “He wasn’t kidding at all.”
“That was just his sense of humor. He likes his girls tall, busty, and brainless. Basically the opposite of everything I am. He’d never be interested in someone like me.”
“Zoe.” His voice is incredulous. “You seriously think any guy wouldn’t trade his left nut for a chance with a girl like you, over some bimbo? You’re fucking crazy, darling.” He pulls me toward the wall, where it’s a bit quieter, and cups his hands around my cheeks. “You’re the kind of girl men spend a lifetime looking for. And you’re mine. So forgive me if I’m not super fond of watching some random dude who admits to being in love with you run his hands all over your body.”
“Don’t be jealous.” I wrinkle my nose at him. “There’s no foundation for it.”