Avenging Angel (Pounding Hearts 5)

A quick glance behind me shows me though that Emmett didn’t follow me. Grabbing up my purse, I fling it over my shoulder and head for the front door, only to be stopped by Chase.

“Yo, where you going in such a hurry?” Chase asks as he steps into my path.

Oh shit, if Emmett comes, Chase might find out what we did…

I can literally feel myself going white as I pant out, “I feel sick. I need to go home.”

Thank god Chase doesn’t question me.

He simply nods his head, immediately accepting the excuse. “I’ll walk you to your car.”

I swallow back a sigh of relief and follow after him, all the while afraid Emmett might pop up behind me at any second.

When we reach my car and there’s still no sign of Emmett, I count my lucky stars and say a quick goodbye to Chase.

He stands in the parking lot as I pull out, determined to watch my car until I can take my left turn onto the main street.

Once the light turns green, I glance into my rearview mirror and lift my hand, meaning to wave goodbye to Chase, but catch sight a looming figure standing in front of the main doors.

Emmett is standing there, watching me with a resigned look on his face.

Dropping my hand, I hit the gas a little harder than I mean to and squeal out into the street.

Forcing myself to drive only ten over the speed limit, I crank my radio up and fill my car with music so loud it’s impossible to think.

By the time I pull up in front of my stepfather’s house, my head is splitting and my ears are ringing.

In my rush to get inside the house and safely up to my room, I almost forget my purse twice. Once I have my car locked up, I dash up the front steps, taking them two at time.

I make it through the front door and all the way up to the base of the staircase before my mom pops out of the dining room with a smile on her face.

“Hey honey,” she says cheerfully. “How was your first day?”

Chapter Nine

Emmett

Sometimes the things we want most in the world are the things that will destroy us.

I wanted to be the champ. I wanted the accolades, the lights, and the glamor. I’ve always had the chip on my shoulder that I needed to prove something to the world and my shit parents.

Maybe that’s why I feel this huge fucking crushing weight on my chest when I watch Bree drive away from the gym.

I really do believe one damaged soul can recognize another. It’s something in the eyes and the way we carry ourselves. The way we carefully guard our words and actions.

I want to be her champion. I want to be her fucking rock. And I know without a doubt that the douche who pushed my fucking girl to the ground was an ex who hasn’t gotten the memo.

He’ll get it, and it’s going to be one he’ll never fucking forget.

Screaming the dirtiest words I know in my head isn’t going to do anything to fix this shit, though. I feel like a fucking ass for letting her go, for letting us get separated. Not that I blame Casey for it. Little dude was right, we needed a room right then.

The way she was moving against me…

Shit.

I’ve got her phone number though, and I’ve got her location too. I’m probably a dick for snooping on her, but my ass isn’t stupid enough or drunk enough to think for a second that her ex is going to let her go easy.

He’s hurt her at least once, and I’m betting he’ll try that shit again.