The Better Brother

Kayla, who by this time was well into her drink, glared at Rick.

“You were with her last month, while we were talking?” Her eyes were molten with anger, and Rick held his hand up and grabbed her wrist as she tried to slap him.

“No, I swear it, Kayla. I dated her last year, not anytime recently. Not since I met you.”

The girl gave a wicked smirk, perfectly pleased that she’d caused a problem. “He’s lying. Why don’t you tell her all about how good you fucked me, Rick?”

“You pig!” Kayla pushed him away and ran out of the bar. I left Rick there with his floozy as I went after her. I had a feeling we were going to be on the next plane home. Kayla was better off without the scumbag anyway. I was even more glad that I had come with her now.

Kayla was halfway to their truck when I caught her, but she pulled away. Her anger was so vicious it startled me. I’d only seen that side of her on the few times she was really drunk around me. One drink too many made her want to fight.

“Fucking asshole!” Tears streamed down her cheeks, and she suddenly lifted her foot and slipped off her high heel shoes. They were strappy and new and the prettiest pair she owned.

“Kayla, what are you doing?”

“He told me he loved me, and I was the only one for him. Now he’s going to pay for it!” She took the pointed heel of her shoe and started carving into the side of Rick’s truck.

“Kayla, stop!” I tried to stop her, but I was afraid she’d hit me in her blind rage. I looked around and saw Rick coming across the lot. There was a crowd growing as she climbed onto the hood with her dress hiked up around her thighs so high you could see her panties. The entire crowd was getting a free show.

Rick came up and bear hugged her around the waist, pulling her down and placing her on her feet. “Stop it, Kayla! What the fuck are you doing? Are you fucking crazy?”

“You lied to me!” Kayla was kicking and screaming.

“I’m not lying. I swear Kayla. Stop scratching up Reed’s truck and talk to me!”

Reed was standing in the crowd looking at his truck like he wanted to murder someone

. I was worried that he would go off on her and be relentless in his fury, but he just stood quietly, his chest heaving. His lips peeled back in a snarl as he watched Rick hold Kayla, whose eyes had gone wide. She’d stopped kicking and fighting long enough to survey the damage she’d done to the truck, which was pretty bad.

She looked over to Reed with big tear-stained eyes, and all the man did in return was growl, like a wild dog about to pounce.

CHAPTER FOUR - REED

I stood there looking at my truck and trying to understand how one crazy bitch with a high-heeled shoe could do such damage.

“I’m sorry.” Rick’s girl was repeating the words over and over, but it wasn’t registering. I’d bought the truck a year ago specifically for us to use on rodeo trips and I’d spent a great deal of time and money putting in all the bells and whistles. I’d only let Rick drive it because he’d been begging me.

Rick shook his head and stared down at his feet. “Fuck, Reed. I’m so sorry, man.”

A tall, thin guy I’d seen in the bar came running over. “Hey, man, that chick across the lot called the cops. Thought you should know.”

“The cops?” Kayla’s eyes filled with more tears and sure enough about that time, they rounded the corner.

I turned to look at Rick. “Keep her quiet; I’ll handle it.” I knew most of the policemen on the force and had grown up with several of them. Everyone knew my family too. Having money buys certain favors, and I was about to call one in.

The officer, a guy I knew named Lonny, got out of the car and walked up shaking his head. “I thought the description sounded a bit familiar. I’d know that truck anywhere,” he held out his hand. “Looks like you pissed someone off.”

I let out a long breath. “Yeah, that’d be Rick’s problem.” He glared at Kayla who shrank back against her friend who put her arm around Kayla as if to hold her up.

I cleared my throat. “Would you mind letting me handle this on my own? I’m sure she’s sorry and prepared to compensate.” The cop looked to Kayla who wiped her eyes and nodded.

“Well, it’s your property and no one was hurt, so I was never here. Good luck.” He patted Rick on the back and then went back to his car, shaking his head and laughing.

“I’m sorry,” said Kayla as the cop pulled out of the lot.

“Someone’s going to pay for this.” I straightened my back and went to stand over the two girls. I knew my size was intimidating to most, and though Kayla shrank back even farther, her friend straightened, lifting her chin as if to show me she didn’t think much of my show of power.

“I’ll take care of it, man. I’m sorry,” Rick said before turning to Kayla. “That bitch was lying back there, you have to believe me. I’ve been home online with you every night. When would I have had time to see, much less fuck, someone else?”