Chapter Twenty

CHAPTER TWENTY

Barrett

V aughn, Nolan, and Jasper are all with me out on my back porch, drinking beers. Although we really shouldn't be. All of us are still trying to recover from Val's birthday two days ago. But I'm glad they're all here, especially Vaughn because I have a few questions for him. "What in the fuck happened to you at Monroe's the other night? You haven't thrown hands in a while, and I didn't expect it to be for a woman who's as sheltered as Val is."

"I'm glad he asked." Nolan takes a drink from his bottle. "Because I was wondering myself. I've never seen you go that hard before, and I've known you for years. You tapping her and not telling anyone?"

Vaughn's jaw ticks slightly and I send a warning glare over at Nolan. Now might not be the best time to test him. He clears his throat, before shaking his head.

"I don't know, there's an innocence about her, and I don't want others to fuck her over because she's sheltered. That dude was getting handsy and he knew better. She seems lonely, like she's reaching out for something she can't quite touch yet, and I don't want anyone to snuff that out in her."

My jaw hinges open as those words come out of his mouth. I've never heard him talk like this before. "Who are you and what have you done with Vaughn?"

He throws the bottle top at me. "Dude I'm not an asshole all the time. What can I say? She's got me interested in her well-being. I don't think anyone else is. Didn't you all say that she left her family? Like I kind of get that."

None of us know much about his home life; he was raised by his grandparents, but he's never been super open about it. "All I'm saying is don't make promises to her you can't keep." I expect for him to be mad at me for saying it, but instead he nods.

"I know, I'm trying not to, but I see so much of myself in her, and she looks lonelier than I ever did."

That's very self-aware of him in a way I never expected him to be. "I think as long as you're honest with yourself and you don't give her mixed messages then you're fine."

He rubs his hands on his thighs. "I'm gonna do my best. I've never tried to be there for someone, but I hope I can help her. She looks so scared and lonely. I hate it."

I do too, but I won't be beating up a guy for her.

"I can't believe you're saying that. You're the biggest asshole out of all of us." Jasper laughs, kicking his legs out in front of him.

"Coming from you, that's rich." Vaughn crosses his arms over his chest. "I would argue that you're a much bigger asshole than I've ever been."

The doorbell rings, and I head back into the living room, grabbing up some cash and opening the door. The pizza delivery guy is struggling under the weight of the pizzas we ordered. "Thanks, man, I appreciate it." I reach out and grab them, before handing him the money.

"No, thank you."

He's got to be a high school kid, and I remember being that kid a few years ago. It's crazy how fast life flies once you graduate and start your 'real life'. Heading back out on the porch, I drop the pizzas on the table and glance at Vaughn.

"What?" He brings his brows together in question. "Why do you look like you're about to drop some wisdom and I'm not going to like it?"

"Whether you like it or not, I'm gonna say it. I don't get preachy very often, but we've known each other long enough here. That kid who dropped off the pizza was a high school kid, and it got me thinking."

"Oh shit..." Nolan gets up. "I'm gonna have to get another beer for this."

"And just what were you thinking?" Jasper crosses his arms over his chest and his boots at his ankles.

"Life goes so fast once we graduate high school. There are so many of us already married and starting families. College didn't take nearly as long as we thought it would."

"Ain't that the fuckin' truth." Jasper blows a breath out. "I look back at those pictures in my memories on social media, and I think about the stupid shit we did."

"Which brings me to Vaughn. Don't keep doing stupid shit with an innocent girl unless you're willing to pick up the pieces when it implodes."

"Shitttttt..." Nolan clears his throat. "He's got you there, V. Whatcha gonna do?"

That jaw of his works overtime. "I don't know, but when I figure it out, you fuckers will be the first to know."