‘I’m afraid I’ve got some plans.’ I clear my throat awkwardly. Where in the world do I even begin? ‘I … uh, I have some plans with my boyfriend.’

Ew. I wish I could have redone that a tad bit more smoothly. I’m expecting equally awkward disappointment from Jackson, but that isn’t what I get. I shouldn’t be surprised. This is a bull-riding man we’re talking about. The red flag to end all red flags.

‘Well, May …’ He takes a couple of steps forward, steps I’m not too comfortable with when they put us both in Rocky’s stable, with Jackson at the door. ‘Listen. You’re honestly too beautiful a woman to be with some lacrosse guy who’s got air for brains. I’m offering you something a little more substantial. Something that’s not just a shallow Boston frat boy. Come on, now.’ He laughs this fabricated little laugh that screams to me it’s time to break a wall and get the heck out of Dodge. ‘It’d be a good time, I promise you.’

‘Get the fuck away from my girlfriend.’

The breath leaves my lungs in a heavy whoosh as Colt’s voice cuts the uncomfortable tension. He shoves right past Jackson and straight to me. He doesn’t touch me, just shoots Jackson the deadliest glare I’ve ever seen him muster. My heart’s beating a million miles an hour, and it’s not the good kind of million miles an hour when I watch the two of them exchange stares. I’m the one who reaches out to Colt first, pulling him close to me with a fistful of his white T-shirt, and he responds immediately, wrapping an arm around me.

‘Think on it, May,’ Jackson finally quips, raising an eyebrow.

I feel Colt’s body tense beside me, his muscles going taut, but I tighten my grip, looking up at him with an air of don’t bother. Jackson’s spur-clad boots click off down the alleyway, and Colt, like me, exhales heavily.

‘Man. What a prick.’ His thumb rubs a circle into my shoulder, his brow knitted as he dips his head to give me a quick once-over. ‘You okay? Did he …’

‘Primary crime was being a creepy jerk.’ I shudder a little at the thought of it. God. It’d be one thing if he didn’t know I was dating anyone and stepped away peacefully. This was a terrifying other. ‘Thank you.’ I shake my head, scary images flashing in my brain that I do my level best to push away. ‘If you hadn’t showed up …’

‘Don’t even make me think about it.’ Colt’s mouth twitches into a frown. The hand on my shoulder slowly backs off, hovering over me. ‘Sorry. It’s not my place to, you know.’