25. Chapter 25

I'm only half paying attention to our conversation and need an outlet for the anger festering inside me. Then I notice Mads and Jayce in the hall near the bathrooms in the back of the bar. "Excuse me, I'm getting some fucking answers."

Both Von and Shane are staring as if I've lost my mind, but the more I think it over, the more I believe I'm right.

Mads is teary-eyed, ever the victim, with Jayce consoling her.

"What the fuck did you do to Em? You're the reason he's been upset this week, aren't you?!" I yell, not giving a fuck who hears me.

"Alec," Jayce growls.

I turn on him. "Stop acting like she's fragile and needs your protection. Let her deal with her own shit. Especially the shit both of you caused."

"You're out of line." Jayce takes a step toward me.

I've fucking had enough. Between her telling me about my ex and whatever is happening with Em, Jayce is the one who needs to back off. "What are you going to do? Beat me up for telling my best friend the truth? That her actions have consequences. That she needs to consider that she's not the center of the fucking universe and other people's feelings matter." I'm seeing red and if Jayce lays a hand on me, it's game over.

Mads grips Jayce's arm to keep him in check.

"Give me his number. I'll make it right," she pleads, and it's the confirmation I expected.

"Abso-fucking-lutely not! You can't fuck him, discard him, and then feel guilty when you realize he's my friend."

"That's not what happened," Jayce says through clenched teeth.

I ignore him.

"He was half in love with you back in high school. And Em looked up to him." I jerk my thumb at Jayce. "You can't take advantage of the kid's feelings."

"He's no fucking kid." Jayce grabs a handful of my shirt and twists, reminding me of the bullies back in high school.

"Get your hands off him." My raging Viking appears ready for battle.

"This doesn't concern you, Von."

"If you don't move away from him, it's going to be a concern for everyone here." Von's ready for a fight, and his fury rises up and fuck…it's sexy as hell.

Jayce releases my shirt but moves closer to say something, trying to intimidate me.

Von has had enough. He reaches over my shoulder and puts his spread palm on Jayce's chest to halt his forward momentum.

My best friend is being an asshole, and her husband is a caveman, but I'm giddy with Von's reaction. No one has ever stepped in to fight my battle with me. Not even Cole.

My heart's bursting and the only thing I can do is lean in and kiss Von. "Thanks, Viking."

Von kisses me but continues to glare at Jayce. It's so motherfucking hot I'd risk doing him right here in the hallway.

"What's happening?" Madyson screeches. She hates being the last to know something.

"Von doesn't like it when people mess with what's his. And that's me." I'm certain of the truth. "I'm his," I declare defiantly. Von wraps his other arm around my waist. We're officially out as a couple.

What in God's name did I just do?

My heart is hammering and I can't let go of Alec. When Jayce put his hands on him, all rational thought left me. I try to keep my hands off Alec because I'm not sure he wants his friends to know we're sleeping together. But Alec said he's mine. My ears are ringing with the possibility of it. I'm afraid if I let go of him, his words will vanish along with him.

Shane vibrates like an overexcited puppy when we return to the table. The man is a sappy romantic. Cole gives me the standard chin raise of approval.

The bar is loud and a couple of drunk women are screeching Adele, trying to get people involved in karaoke. I wish we were in a booth so I could be closer to Alec. Cole's a half a second away from tugging Shane into his lap, and I will definitely pick Alec up to sit with me. I've moved my chair as close as possible, but it's not enough.

Cole tries to reassure Alec that Em is an adult and will be fine, and he has us to support him if he needs us. Shane gently points out that we can't involve ourselves unless Em asks, otherwise we're meddling. The same as Madyson.

Alec sulks and eats another piece of that awful candy. It has a fake sugary tang that flooded my mouth but then tasted chalky. It's terrible. I could kiss him better, but it would lead to public indecency. That might be something Alec is into. I laugh.

"What!" Alec barks.

"I had a few indecent thoughts and wondered what you would think of them." My hand is on the back of his neck and I rub my thumb along his hairline.

Alec's grin is a question. "You're a tease and a flirt. I'm corrupting you."

My lips hover over his. "I'm taking you home." I keep my lips out of reach, standing up.

He smacks my ass. "Lead the way, Viking."