Even Wilder

Chapter 14.

Lip's hand grabs his jaw. Red marks taking its form of fingers on his pale skin. I bring my hands up to my mouth. I didn't mean to hit him. I don't know why I reacted like that. "What the hell are you doing with him?!" He yelled, slurring his words together confirming my thoughts that he is indeed, completely wasted. "What do you mean what am I doing? What are YOU doing?!" I shout back at him. Kneeling down at Connor and grabbing his shoulders pulling him back. He scrambled to his feet and stood in front of me, guarding me from this...complete stranger..Realization hit me. I didn't know this man in front of me, this version of Lip.

"Don't talk to her like that" Connor yelled back at Lip. Lip's eyes dragged from me to the man standing in front of me. My eyes just barely peeking out over his shoulder. I grabbed a fist full of his jacket by his hips, I could feel my knees growing week at this confrontation. Everyone's attention was now on us.

Alyssia and Jackson pushed their way to the room and stood by the staircase now watching the show. Betrayal was written all over Lip's face. "You can't do this to me every time!" He shouts. To whom it's directed at is far from clear. He stumbles a few feet forward. Connor pushing himself the same amount backwards towards the door. "Look at yourself mate. Your completely wasted! She's been sitting here, waiting around for you, for hours and you're just confirming her thoughts about you. You're just like your family man. You're no better than them. Look at yourself! An hour into the party and you can't even stand up straight! You have lipstick all over your neck! You're just making a fool out of yourself to the only girl who would remotely give you a chance!" Connor spews back.

"Connor. Can we go?" I ask him. His jaw softened and he looked down at me. "Please?" I beg looking into his eyes. "Jessica if you walk out that door.." Lip started to threaten. I spun around Connor to look at him "What Lip? What are you going to do? Break up with me? Make a fool out of me? You're already doing a great job at that, both of those just happened!" I scream back. My blood running cold. Two girls behind him giggle and wrap their boney fingers around his biceps. I look up to their faces. Their red lipstick faded and smeared. Bile rises in my throat. He let them touch him.

I tear my eyes away from him and walk out the front door. The cool air swallowing me, taking my breath away. I stagger back, bumping into Connor. He grabs my elbows and pulls me back onto my feet. He takes his jacket off and wraps it around my shoulders. "He is a complete idiot and you deserve SO much better Jessica." He pulls me into his chest and I start crying. He pets my hair and coos thoughtful words into my ears. "Let's get out of here" I pull away and he gives me a sweet smile. Something I've began getting used to.

We make our way down to the street where his car was parked along the curb. I see Fiona's car down the block some and I frown remembering my purse is in the car with my phone, house keys, money, everything inside. "Fuck" I puff out. Connor unlocks the car and opens the door for me. Then running around and getting inside. Bringing the car to life and blasting the heat. "What's wrong....other than the obvious?" He asks swinging out of his parking spot. "My purse is in his car. With my phone and house keys. I'm locked out." His lips turn into a frown as a sigh escapes his lips. "You can stay with me tonight?" I instantly shake my head no "listen to me, I'm not going to make any moves on you. I clearly understand you have some kind of relationship with that douchebag and I am not some caveman." He set his hand on top of mine and squeezes it.

"Fine." I mumble out. He nods and takes his hand away and puts it on the shifter. Focusing his concentration back to the road. A few minutes of driving in the dark, Connor drives down a road lined with houses. Not too big, not too small, moderate sized houses. He pulls up to a two story brick house with a few lights on and a car pulled up close to the garage. He pulls up next to it and puts the car in park.

He looks at me and smiles. "Are you married?" I blurt out. He laughs and shakes his head no, "girlfriend, boyfriend, engaged?" He shakes his head no to each question. "I'm staying with my mom until my apartment is finalized. It's actually about two blocks from the coffee shop." His smile fades when he sees the expression on my face. "Listen I'm not some loser that lives in his moms basement if that's what you're thinking" he quickly grows irritated. That subject is obviously touchy to him. "I didn't say that!" I push back, completely over tonight. "I live with my brother so what's the difference" he shrugs and gets out of the car. He walks around to open my door for me but I beat him to it.