Ethan and I pull away, our heads turning in unison to the man standing next to us.
“Oh, hey Jeremy,” I say as if I didn’t even notice he was here. Truthfully, I’d completely forgotten that he was.
My eyes dart over to Ethan, hoping for a glimpse of his reaction to our kiss, wondering if he felt what I did. But whateverreaction he had to the kiss has been replaced by a seething glare aimed straight at my ex.
I have a lot of reasons to be angry with Jeremy, but robbing me of the chance to see Ethan’s face right after that kiss is the one that makes my blood boil the hottest.
“What are you doing with him?” Jeremy demands. His gaze cuts over to Ethan with a scowl.
“We’re just having a drink,” I say as casually as I can manage.
Jeremy is practically vibrating with anger. His eyes scour over me, taking in my red dress and exposed legs. The feeling of his eyes on my skin makes me cringe, and I want nothing more than to remind him that he has no right to look at me, and even less right to judge me.
Before I can say anything, Jeremy scoffs and blurts out, “With your boss, Margot? You have to realize how bad this looks. Have you been fucking him all along, or did you at least wait until we broke up to get on your knees for this asshole?”
The sound of a barstool skidding along the wood floor draws my attention towards Ethan, who is already standing and positioning himself between me and my ex. He looms over Jeremy. In terms of height, the two men are almost equally matched, but Ethan is more muscular and has the sort of presence that makes him feel undeniably larger.
Jeremy doesn’t back down.
Bad move.
“It’s time for you to leave,” Ethan says, his voice calm but lethal.
“Fuck you,” Jeremy spits back at him. “You think I’m going to listen to some rich prick who’s been fucking my girlfriend behind my back?”
Ethan takes a step closer to Jeremy, the muscle in his jaw twitching. Jeremy looks nervous but doesn’t back away. They square off silently, sizing each other up like they’re looking forweak spots. In a physical altercation, Jeremy doesn’t stand a chance against Ethan. He’s never taken a punch in his entire life, and I have a feeling he would crumble to the ground if Ethan so much as flicked him. As tempting as it is to sit back and watch that unfold, the idea of Ethan getting into a fight on my behalf makes me scurry off my barstool and wrap a hand around the broad muscle of his upper arm.
“Don’t,” I whisper to him. “It’s not worth it.”
The hand at his side reaches back, giving my hip a quick, reassuring squeeze as if to tell me he’s got this covered. Still, my nerves stand on end as my gaze flits between the two men.
The blonde who’s watching the scene unfold from the corner table stands and reluctantly crosses the room. She stops behind Jeremy but doesn’t try to intervene. When she glances at me, a flicker of remorse and embarrassment crosses her face.
So she does remember me then…
With his eyes fixed on Jeremy, Ethan doesn’t even seem to notice the blonde woman. His chest rises and falls with a deep breath before he speaks.
“You don’t know me, but you clearly know Margot. She’s not a cheater, which is more than I can say for you. When you fucked up and let her go, did you really think she’d sit around pining for you? Ignoring every other guy who’d jump at the chance to be with her?”
Ethan’s words touch a deep, raw spot in my chest. I have no idea if he actually means them, or if he’s just trying to get a rise out of Jeremy, but I let them soothe that aching spot inside me anyway.
His words have the opposite effect on Jeremy, who is clenching his fists like he’s thinking about throwing a punch right at Ethan’s face.
“I’d think twice about that if I were you,” Ethan warns. “You and I both know that I can afford a far better lawyer than you can.”
This hits Jeremy harder than any punch ever would. It’s a massive blow to his most vulnerable spot: his ego.
Reluctantly unclenching his fists, Jeremy takes a step back and mutters, “Let’s go,” to his date. He tosses some cash on the bar to cover the drinks then makes a swift exit. Something tells me he’s in for another fight tonight once they get home, wherever home may be for Jeremy now. Maybe with her.
A few weeks ago, the thought of him building a life with someone else would have upset me. But now? I don’t care whose bed Jeremy ends up in, as long as it’s not mine.
I don’t realize I’m still gripping Ethan’s bicep until his muscles shift beneath my palm. I drop my hand to my side just as he turns to face me.
“I’m sorry,” I blurt out.
Ethan shakes his head. “Don’t apologize for him, Margot. He’s not your problem anymore.”
That’s true. After seeing Jeremy tonight, I can confidently say that the only feeling I have left for him is indifference.