Hooked by Love (Bellevue Bullies 3)

“It was, but nothing I can’t handle.”

She sends me a grin and cuddles into me as we start for the lobby where our families are waiting for me. “I’m sorry he’s a dick.”

“Don’t apologize for his actions, Avery. They are on him. He’s lucky I didn’t kill him.”

“I’m surprised you didn’t,” she smiles nervously and I smile back.

“It must have been the yoga,” I say with a wink, and she laughs as she leans into me.

“My parents and your mom are getting along well.”

“My mom could get along with a rock, believe me,” I say with a grin. “But your parents haven’t been bad. It’s been a nice visit, not what I thought it would be.”

“Me too,” she says with a nod. “My dad and I talked.”

That makes my brow rise. “Really? How’d that go?”

“Really good. He apologized and told me he’d failed me.”

I smile and go to tell her how great that is, when another voice joins our conversation. “He doesn’t mean it. Remember no one loves you, Avery.”

Looking to my left, Matty is standing there with the sickest, most sinister smile I’ve ever seen in my life. “Dude, what is your issue?” I bark, moving Avery behind me. But she doesn’t go easily, holding my arm to keep me from getting in his face. “She doesn’t want anything to do with you, so why do you keep messing with her? Are you really that jealous? That pathetic? Get a fucking life.”

“So you think you know her?” he asks, coming toe-to-toe with me.

Avery pulls me back. “Just stop. Go away, Matty.”

We both ignore her as I hold his gaze. “I know I know her, and I also know you are a poor excuse for a human being. I mean, shit, how can someone hold so much hatred for someone? Most of all, your own sister, your twin. Do you know how bad that makes you look?”

His smile remains as he shakes his head. “She’s nothing to me.”

My fist clenches and I see Markus and Gordon coming up, along with some of his teammates. Not that I care. I don’t need an audience or help to ruin this dude. “You know, it must be lonely being you. Hiding who you really are and spreading your hatred all over the world. How do you live with yourself? Is it ’cause you can’t say who you are?”

“Matty, just come on,” a taller guy says, thin and with a trendy haircut. I question his choice of his scarf. But really, I don’t care, because my eyes are pinned on Matty, waiting for him to make a move so I can pummel his face. I try to shake Avery off me, but she digs her nails into my arm.

“Please just stop,” she says, but I shake my head.

“Shut up, Graham,” Matty snaps, and Avery gasps with a quick intake of breath as a grin curves my lips.

“Graham? The Graham?” I ask, my eyes dancing as Matty glares.

“Shut your mouth.” He’s shaking, his eyes wild, and I really don’t get it.

I come closer, my face only inches from his as I whisper, “Man, why are you so angry? If you want to be that person, be him. Be you, be fucking happy, but stop trying to bring my wife down because you don’t want anyone to know who you really love or who you loved.” I shake my head, feeling so freaking sorry for this dude. “I had every intention of beating your ass, ruining you for hurting Avery, for touching her. But, dude, I can’t hit you when I feel so fucking sorry for you.”

“You know nothing,” he sneers, his eyes cutting into mine.

“I know that I’m happy ’cause I love who I love. I know that my career could end tomorrow and I would be okay with it because I have her and my baby. What do you have, Matty?” His jaw clenches and I back away, my palms facing him. “Nothing. But don’t worry, your sister, the one you hate so much, has everything. So really, what does that jealousy do? Nothing ’cause she’s still going to win in the end.”

I hadn’t realized that my mom or her parents were watching. No, I’m too disgusted and feeling so sorry for the man who isn’t even a man. He’s a fake. When Matty doesn’t say anything, I shake my head once more before I wrap my arm around Avery’s shoulders and kiss her temple. She looks up at me with tears in her eyes, and I smile. “You don’t have to worry about him anymore.”

“Matthew, what is he talking about?” I hear Thea ask, but before I can go any farther, Benedict is in front of me, his hand on my chest. His eyes burn into mine and all I can do is look up at him, unsure what is going on. When he gives me a curt nod, he clears his throat and then says, “You’re a good man, Jace.”

I smile, nodding my head. “Because of who I love.”

Benedict’s gaze cuts to Avery and he smiles. “Yeah, she’s a good girl, too.”

Avery’s cheeks redden as she looks up at me. “Thank you.”