His exterior collected, he retorts, "With your recent track record of decisions, anything is—"
There goes my intention not to punch the fucker.
"Oh, my God!" King shrieks, but she ignores Marcus, who's cradling his jaw. Her whole attention is on me, her arms wrapped around herself.
Marcus drops his hand from his jaw and starts forward when a small hand lands on his chest. He halts abruptly, and when he realizes who has dared to touch him, he dislodges her in one lightning-fast motion. His snarl is menacing, and even I'm briefly distracted from my own drama. "Don't ever lay a hand on me, Keller." He pushes her out of the way and stalks off.
Before I can form a coherent thought, King is in front of Den. "Are you okay?"
My best friend's eyes water, and King pulls her into a hug. "Shhhh." She pats the back of Den's head, and I stand there, dumbfounded.
What is happening?
Rhys and Lilly have made their way over, and Lilly pries D from King. "I got her."
Den swipes over her eyes and lets Lilly lead her down the hall to the bathrooms.
Rhys lifts a hand, pointing his thumb behind him at Marcus, who is currently chugging a beer at their table. "I, uh…be right back."
And then there were two.
CHAPTERTHIRTY
My heart racesin my chest as I stare at Wes like a deer in the headlights. Lilly told me he was coming back today, but I didn't expect him to show up at The Grizz—not immediately.
Lilly had brought her friend Elle with her, who flew in for the wedding, and as always, Rhys and Marcus were in tow. I worked tonight's shift, but carrying a small bowling ball in my stomach made it more challenging than expected, so I became the designated mixologist with my own barstool behind the counter when I got too tired. I never knew Grizz could be this warm and fuzzy, almost overbearing.
Marcus had sauntered over as soon as his charge was safely in her seat, surrounded by her fiancé and friend. "Monroe." He dipped his chin with a smirk.
"Baxter." I saluted him with the glass I took down for my next order.
Hanging out with Lilly automatically resulted in being around Marcus, and the more we talked, the less intimidating he was. For whatever reason, he let his guard down around me, which equally flattered and unnerved me. He hadn't made any advances, but I still wondered, why me? He barely talked to anyone besides Lilly and Rhys. Did it have to do with our similar childhoods, as he phrased it?
"I heard we're paired up for the big event." He walked behind the bar like he owned the place.
I eyed him leaning next to me against the counter. "So, I'm told."
Lilly informed me via text this morning that Marcus would escort me to the wedding. If I had learned one thing since meeting her, everything she did had a purpose, and it was easy to decipher this one.
I texted her back:It won't work.
Lilly: Just wait.
Me: He told me flat out all he wants is to be in our baby's life.
Lilly: Just wait. ;)
Oh, this woman was infuriating. At the same time, a sliver of hope formed in my chest, and I clung to it like a lifeline.
We'd been chatting in between orders, Marcus keeping me company and helping me get some of the more expensive bottles down from the higher shelves. Pre-Nugget, I would've jumped on the bar with ease, but my little one made that exercise impossible—which was exactly what he teased me about when he pulled me into one of his side hugs reserved only for Lilly and me. Even Elle only got a stern head nod.
Suddenly, the air in the room shifted, and I knew…knew without seeing him. Wes was here, and when I spotted him, he was pissed. My insides formed one giant knot.
The last thing I expected was for him to sucker punch Marcus. But what unsettled me more was Marcus's reaction to Denielle stepping between them. The hatred oozed out of his pores, and I almost burst into tears myself hearing his words directed at her. It wasn't what he said; it washowhe delivered them—with such venom.
I didn't think anyone expected me to be the one consoling Denielle, but seeing her that upset, I couldn't help myself. No one should have such disdain directed toward them. When Lilly took over, I could no longer avoid focusing on the man in front of me.
"Wes," my voice is barely audible over the noise level. By a miracle, the customers ignored what had transpired a minute ago.