Part 32 (2/2)
”Don't say that.” His gaze went a little wild. ”Don't ever say that. You know you don't mean it.”
If she weren't in such a public place, she'd give in to the urge to fight. One yell and men would be there to help her, Cannon at the front.
She knew that, and knowing it helped calm her.
Right now, she mostly wanted to avoid a scene. She'd been at the forefront of too much ugly news already. ”Listen to me, Heath...”
”There you are.” Wearing only boxing shorts and fingerless gloves, his blond hair spiky with sweat, Armie invaded their s.p.a.ce.
Did the man live at the rec center?
He had his dark gaze zeroed in on Heath, and as he looked him over, his brows lifted.
”Armie,” she said with relief. ”Hi.”
”Hi, Yvette,” he said in that teasing way she'd already grown accustomed to. Still with one brow quirked, he mused, ”You got a type, don't you, doll? Big, dark...” He shook his head. ”For some reason, I expected him to be different. Softer, shorter. Dopier looking.”
So Cannon had told Armie about Heath?
”Who are you?” Heath demanded. ”Another boyfriend?”
”Naw. I'm just the guy who's going to break a few of your limbs if you don't turn her loose real quick.”
Not a single ounce of animus could be heard in his tone. In fact, Armie might have been discussing the weather.
”You're not dating her?”
”Nope.” He took a drink from his water bottle. ”You have to the count of three, my man. One, two-”
To her surprise, Heath let her go.
As if he'd expected no less, Armie took another drink.
Yvette resisted the urge to rub her arm, unwilling to do anything that might set Armie off. Sidling closer to him, she said in a low voice, ”Time for you to go, Heath.”
”I came all this way to see you. I'm not leaving until we talk.”
Armie looked at her. ”You interested in talking to Slick? Or should I boot his a.s.s to the curb?”
d.a.m.n it. Armie was spoiling for a fight, and that'd only draw the attention of everyone in the place.
”Take it easy, Armie. Please. I'd as soon avoid causing a scene if I can, okay?”
He laughed. ”Now, honey, you gotta know I don't mind a scene.”
Mouth tight, she said, ”You might not, but I do.”
”So I can't rough him up?”
Heath worked his jaw. ”I'm allowed to be here. It's a public place.”
”Not really, no,” Armie told him.
Quickly, Yvette interrupted. ”If you have something to say, Heath, say it and then get out.” If Armie told him that Cannon owned the rec center, it just might become the victim of vandalism. She couldn't bear bringing more trouble to him.
She'd done enough of that already.
Heath bristled, Armie smirked at him and she racked her brain to find a way to defuse things without having Heath misconstrue her intentions.
Suddenly an arm slipped around her and Cannon's familiar heat enveloped her. In front of G.o.d and Heath and everyone else, he tipped up her chin and put his mouth to hers. He didn't prolong things, but neither was it a simple peck.
Against her parted lips, he asked, ”Why wasn't I invited to this little party?”
On a silent groan, Yvette closed her eyes.
His breath touched her ear, and he said so softly only she could hear, ”Have a little faith, honey.”
Then, still with one arm cuddling her, he held out his hand to Heath. ”I'm Cannon.”
Eyes bright with hatred, Heath stared at him. ”I know who you are.”
Cannon didn't miss a beat. ”Heath, right? How are you?”
Nonplussed, Heath looked at the proffered hand... and warily accepted it. There was no one-upmans.h.i.+p, no breaking grips or anything beyond a friendly greeting.
Cannon was cool personified.
”I'm fine.” Heath's gaze went from Armie to Yvette to Cannon. He shoved his hands in his pockets. ”Tired actually, after my trip. I'd like to talk to Yvette before I go back to my room to rest up.”
Armie made a show of cracking his knuckles and neck. The caveman.
For only a split second, Cannon smiled at his friend. ”I've got this, Armie. Why don't you go finish up the demonstration for me?”
”You never let me have any fun.” Armie walked off with the same easy att.i.tude he'd used to approach.
Anger swelling, Yvette eyed both men. Beyond wanting to avoid an ugly public confrontation, she didn't want Cannon fighting her battles.
”So.” Staying relaxed, nonthreatening, Cannon shrugged. ”She doesn't want to talk to you.”
Heath stiffened anew. ”You don't speak for her.”
”Wouldn't even try,” Cannon said. ”She speaks for herself, and we both know she's been clear.”
”More than clear,” Yvette said. ”Multiple times.”
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