Inevitable (Book One)

Chapter 36

Shawn

I watch Lyla laugh with Megan as they sit beside each other on the kitchen counter. We are at some frat house, probably the fifth one we've been in today. It's almost midnight and I am surprised we are all still standing with how much alcohol we've consumed today. The lifesaver was probably the pizza we had ordered at the last house and all devoured. I smile as Lyla glances over at me and winks before continuing to chat with Megan. Max is standing beside Megan, leaning against the counter as he talks to some guy. The day has gone better than I had anticipated. I managed to never lose sight of Lyla, despite her rolling her eyes at me when I insisted on waiting outside the bathroom anytime she needed to use it. I move to one of the kegs over in the room and start to refill my cup.

I glance around into the next room where the crowd is packed in and something catches my eye. I see Erica in her barely there outfit, but it's who she's talking to that sends a chill through me. I have only seen photos online from searching him when Lyla first told me about him, but it's hard to not recognize the guy. Connor Adams. He's about the same height as me, but definitely bulkier. Probably comes in handy with the football thing. I watch as he leans down and whispers something in Erica's ear and she giggles at him. I glance back over at Lyla and see she is still happily giggling along with Megan. From where they're sitting they can't see into this room and I'm thankful for that. I am torn between just grabbing Lyla and getting the hell out of this house or knocking this fucker out.

I turn back and see him lean down and place his hand on Erica's ass as he whispers something to her again. I can see she's uncomfortable with the contact by the look on her face, but she doesn't move away. I know what this guy is capable of and as much as Erica annoys the hell out of me these days there's no way in hell I'm letting him take advantage of her. I strut into the room and step up to them, taking a breath in an attempt to calm myself before I speak.

"Erica, I need to talk to you," I demand as I face her and keep my back towards Connor. Erica looks at me surprised and raises an eyebrow. Her eyes are bloodshot and I can tell she's drunk as she smiles sloppily up at me.

"This your boyfriend or something?" I hear Connor ask from behind me, his voice cocky and amused.

"No, he's not," Erica shouts over my shoulder then turns to me again. "Shawn, I'm busy," she tells me and she looks quite proud of herself that she has made me jealous. If she only knew that this wasn't about jealousy and purely me trying to be a decent guy and not let her fall into this asshole's trap.

"Shawn?" I hear Connor behind me again, "Shawn Nolton?" He asks and I can hear the genuine curiosity in his voice. I take a deep breath again and clench my fists at my side as I finally turn to face the guy.

"Yeah, what's it to you?" I ask him, my voice dripping with anger. He smirks at me as he eyes me up and down. He is a bit taller than me, but we are almost eye to eye as I stare down the bastard.

"I heard you're dating Lyla Robertson," he comments, his smirk still playing on his lips.

"You heard right," I respond as I continue to stare him down. He watches me and I am sure he is aware that I know what happened between him and Lyla as he nods slowly.

"Good for you man," he tells me as he pats my shoulder firmly and too hard for it to be intended as friendly. "She's fucking hot. And a great lay." He grins smugly at me, knowing that he has hit a nerve. My fists clench at my sides again as I can feel myself almost start to vibrate from the rage boiling up inside me.

"Shawn," I hear Lyla's soft voice before I see her at my side and she grabs my arm with both her hands and pulls lightly to get me away from Connor.