She looped her arms around my neck and pulled me closer. I went willingly until our mouths came together, lips parting. I was already hopped up on adrenaline and testosterone, and the contact made me want to bend her over the nearest hard surface and fuck her right here. But I could hold off on that until we were at home.

Then she took me by the hand and pulled me halfway to where Luke stood with his friends.

“Wait here a sec, okay?”

“Okay,” I muttered.

Uneasy and without an inkling of what she planned to do, I propped myself against a pillar and watched Bailey march up to Morrison. She wound up and slapped him so hard it echoed through the concourse.

Oh snap. I wasn’t expecting that. And neither was he. Sucker.

God, I fucking loved her.

Luke put a palm to his cheek, mouth hanging open in shock. He looked over Bailey’s shoulder, and our eyes met. Her back was still turned to me.

“You’re dead,” I mouthed, making a throat-slitting gesture.

Sorry, James. I only had so much restraint.

He paled, turning his gaze back to Bailey.

“Don’t talk to me ever again.” She spun on her heel and strode my way.

Luke dropped his hand, exposing a red handprint on his face. It was beautiful. Really suited him. I had to admit, seeing Bailey lay the smackdown on Morrison might have been more satisfying than getting to do it myself.

“Bailey! What the hell was that?” Derek called, jogging to catch up with her. But she didn’t stop.

“Luke knows,” Bailey said over her shoulder, long blond hair bouncing, “why don’t you ask him?” She grabbed my hand and pulled, inclining her head to the doors. “Let’s go.”

“No.” Derek caught up to us. He touched her on the arm, ducking to meet her gaze. “B, tell me what’s going on.”

Bailey and I exchanged a look. She bit her bottom lip and raised her eyebrows as if in question. I shrugged. This wasn’t my place.

“Fine.” She sighed. “Actually, why don’t you tell him, Chase?”

So I did.

When I was finished, Derek’s face contorted with rage. “What in the actual fuck?”

He stormed back over to Morrison and shoved him, sending him flying onto his ass.

“What the hell is wrong with you?” Derek said, looming over him.

Paul watched the confrontation from a few feet away, his expression torn. Probably because, at the end of the day, although he was good friends with both guys, Paul was a little bitch who didn’t want to get into a tussle.

Luke got up, dusting himself off. “What are you talking about?”

“What you said to Carter about my sister. You’re a fucking asshole, man.” Derek shoved him again, but this time, he kept his footing. “Bailey never did anything to you.”