His eyes spring open. “Huh?” He pulls his headphones off, raising a brow at her.
“We have visitors.”
“Visitors?” He looks around at all of us before his eyes widen a fraction. “Oh.” He clears his throat. “’Sup?” He nods and swipes a hand under his nose.
We’re all silent a beat before everyone bursts out laughing—including me. It’s the uncontrollable kind of laughter, and I have to hold my stomach to stop it from cramping. We’re used to seeing this from Evan, but to do it in front of two fuckers who say they’re here to help, it’s too much.
Evan is the complete opposite to me in every way. He likes to talk—I don’t. He likes to joke around—I don’t. People think I’m a serious, broody asshole, but they don’t know me. They haven’t seen the things I have, or been to the places I have.
I scrub a hand down my face, trying to expel my thoughts before they become too much and look over at him. I frown when I see his fists clench at his sides, my back straightening. Evan isn’t the kind of guy to get angry, but right now it’s all I see.
“Evan,” Ty warns, standing up and walking toward him. “My office.” He doesn’t move, keeping his attention on West and Seb. “Now.”
He spins around, stomping over to the office before my attention moves back to the guys.
Who the hell are they?
My hand moves closer to my belt, my fingers tingling and getting ready to pull my gun if I need to. Every person who works for MAC Security carries. We all have one on our belts and then at least another one concealed. Me? I have one on my belt, one on my ankle, and one on a specially made loop that attaches to the bottom of my back. They’re not the only weapons I carry though. I have two knives attached to me too, as well as everything else that I need. I’m always prepared for every eventuality. My past has taught me to be. Both growing up and being in the Marines. I wasn’t only the medic on my team, but a damn good shooter too.
A couple of minutes later, Evan and Ty exit the office, making their way back to the table. Evan stops next to the guy with a close cut who’s sitting in his seat. “You’re in my seat, West.”
The guy’s eyes widen, and a smirk kicks up the corner of his mouth before he chuckles and pushes back his chair. “Sorry, Nevan.”
Nevan? What the fuck?
“Nevan?” Kay asks when this West guy has moved and Evan is sitting down.
“Don’t—”
“It’s nerd and Evan combined.” I turn my attention to the other guy.
“Seb,” Evan warns.
“What?” He shrugs, bringing his tan hands in the air. “It’s just a joke.”
“No… No!” Evan slams his fists on the table before shooting out of his chair. My eyes widen at the action, and I lean forward, ready to back him if something goes off. My gaze skirts to Ty who shakes his head a little in warning. He may be my boss, but if Evan needs my help then it doesn’t matter what he says or does, I’ll take these guys down without a second thought.
“You will not come here and bully me. I let it happen back in high school, but no more,” Evan growls.
“What?” West asks, stepping forward, a frown on his face. “We didn’t bully you.”
“Yeah. Yeah, you did.”
“Dude,” Seb starts, standing up and coming to stand next to West. “We were the ones who stopped the bullies.”
“No.” Evan shakes his head, looking from West to Seb and then back again before pointing at them. “You started the Nevan thing.”
“Nope,” West says, popping the p as he crosses his arms over his chest, making all of the colored tattoos dance on his arms. “Quarterback started it, we took it on and made it your name so that people couldn’t sneer it behind your back.”
“But…”
“Evan?” Ty calls. “Let’s get this meeting done and then you can continue gossiping, yeah?”
“Oh, burn!” Kitty sniggers.
“Shut it, little one,” West replies, chuckling when he looks at her and sees the outrage on her face. My fists tighten with the need to take him out.
“Evan?” Ty asks again, a silent warning in his eyes.