One of Them Girls by Cala Riley (the gingerbread man read aloud txt) 📕

“That’s not what that was. We need to talk.”

The man, Ian, reaches around me, gripping Cassi’s arm, pulling her around me.

I don’t hesitate. I let the red take over, throwing my fist until it connects with his face.

Within seconds, he goes to swing back, hitting my cheek. I don’t hesitate, surging forward until I see Cassie step between us. I stop immediately, but he doesn’t. He continues forward, swinging as he comes.

I see the second he realizes that Cassi is screaming in front of him, but he can’t stop his momentum.

I can, though. I pull her into me, turning, feeling his fist connect with the side of my head. My ear rings as I keep her in my arms, shielding her with my body.

Then a bouncer is beside me, pulling me away. She walks behind us screaming as I’m pulled from the bar.

Outside, they separate us, telling us both to chill out while they figure out what happened.

Tinsley and Jack come rushing out, adding to the tension.

“What happened, Xavier?” Tinsley cries, her eyes wide as she takes in my appearance.

“This fucktard thought he could put his hands on my girl.” I nod to Ian, who has his own group of friends surrounding him.

“I’m not your girl,” Cassi grumbles from beside me.

I don’t miss the fact that her friends are with Ian, but she’s beside me, running her hand along the side of my face and under my eyes.

I wince slightly at the pressure she applies.

“It will bruise, but I think you’ll be okay.” She goes to move away.

I grab her hand and press a kiss to it. “Don’t go.”

Her eyes waiver for a moment, then she nods, pulling her hand out of my grip.

We all stand quietly until the cops pull up.

I hand my wallet, phone, and keys to Cassi. I tell her the PIN to unlock my phone and my pin to pull money from the ATM.

“If you have any trouble, call my dad and tell him what happened. He won’t be happy, but he will get you whatever you need to get me out.”

Cassi looks up at me with an odd look before handing my stuff back. My heart drops, ready to repeat the information to Tinsley, but Cassi meets the cop as he heads our way.

“Hey, Earl,” she says.

“Cassandra. I didn’t expect you to be involved with this. What’s going on?” The officer glances over at me as I stand and move toward her.

“A misunderstanding. They are both cooled down now. We’re going home anyway. There won’t be any more problems.”

He gives her a disapproving look. “Was the disagreement over you?”

She frowns. “Why does that matter?”

“Well, young lady, dressed like you are, I’m not surprised that two fellas are in a fight over you. What are you wearing? Your father won’t be happy when he finds out.”

I wrap my arm around Cassi, pulling her into my side. “Are you saying that there’s something wrong with the way she’s dressed, sir?”

He meets my eyes with a glare. “She shouldn’t be parading herself around in such little clothing. She’s just asking for trouble.”

I go to speak again, but Cassi beats me to it. “Earl, are you saying that because of the way I’m dressed that something bad might happen to me? That’s a very closed-minded way of thinking, isn’t it? Inferring that if something were to happen, it would be my fault? I’m sure my daddy would have a few words to say about that.”

“Well, that’s not what I said now. Don’t you go putting words in my mouth.” He rubs the back of his neck that is noticeably redder. “Look, I need to talk to the boy over there, but if his story matches up, you’ll be free to go.”

We go back to Tinsley and Jack, waiting twenty minutes before they let us go with a stern warning that if they get another call, we will both be escorted out with cuffs.

No worries there because we are leaving.

“Come on, Cass. I’ll take you to your dorm.” I grab her hand, but she pulls out.

“This does not mean we are okay. I can get my own ride home.”

I growl.

Tinsley steps in. “Jack’s going to give me a ride back to my hotel. I’ll text you when I’m safe in my room. Cassandra, it was a pleasure to meet you. I hope we can get to know each other better next time we meet.”

Tinsley doesn’t wait for an answer, squeezing my arm before she leaves with Jack.

“You’re going to let him take her home? I thought you would want to do that.”

“She’s not my concern, Cass. You are. Please get in the damn car so I can take you home.”

She huffs, but gives in. Once she’s inside, I rub the side of my face that is throbbing before I get in beside her.

I drive toward her dorm, the silence in the car stifling.

“You really gave me your phone code and pin to your card? Why?” She finally breaks the silence.

“I trust you,” is all I reply.

“Why did you do that? I never took you for a bar fight kind of guy.”

“I’m not, but I won’t let another man touch what’s mine.”

“I’m not yours, Avi. We had some fun, but you were always reluctant to put a label on it. What’s changed now?”

The tightness in my chest lessens with her use of her nickname for me.

“I don’t know,” I tell her honestly. “But I know that I’m not letting you go.”

She doesn’t respond, and I don’t say anything else either.

I’ve never done anything that might land me in jail, but tonight I did. Seeing that man with his hands on her took all sense from my head. All I could think of was getting her in my arms and out of his.

Jealousy.

I was jealous.

This recent development has changed my perspective of everything that has come before.

I’ve had girlfriends before. I’m not a saint either. I’ve had sex, but never once did I feel the way