22. The Hot Stranger (Part 3)

Continued...

The ass deliberately put it in such an odd way it felt like he was insinuating as if there was more to our encounter last night. Like something happened between us... god forbid, something explicit.

Ugh gross! Even saying it is repulsive with him.

I was honestly shocked, gaping at him, trying to get why was he doing this at all. Was he messing with me?

"Last night?" Leo looked confused and somewhat repulsed but tried hard not to show it. He fell for it.

"No- Yes- wait-," I was horribly fumbling with my words. I don't even know why I cared so much that Leo was misunderstanding the whole situation since I didn't even know him for more then 20 minutes. 

Yet it mattered. Especially after the way he looked at me. I wanted to clear my name at least.

Him on the other hand. The douche has a satisfied and a pure evil smirk gracing his lips like he somehow won. Watching me suffer at his expense. 

He got a kick out of it.

I could bet he was only even coming to me and acknowledging my presence not because he wanted to say Hi or anything. 

He simply did it so he could sabotage me, messing with me was bringing him some corrupted joy; otherwise he wouldn't even give me a second of his time. 

Sighing, "Look, it is not was you think it is. He is making it sound so weird- I don't know why. But it was only an accident." I was explaining my side of the story as best as I could.

And they way Leo was now listening, it was like he was also believing what I was saying. Thank god at least he had a good sense to not just believe everything This jerk was saying.

"I-

My moment's relief was just that, a moment. It passed as soon as it came and as soon as he began to talk again.

"You call that accident?"

"Hey, let her talk." Leo growled from my side. Although I could have done that myself, maybe a more gruff and more manlier sounding growl would work better on the Stranger.

"And what you're gonna do if I don't?" He was challenging Leo with his words. 

So I guess it did not work. 

Oh, for the love of all things holy. 

Leo took a step closer, not one to back down. "Who do you think you are? She can decide for herself who to talk to. Go order around your tramps—assuming they still listen to you." 

And just like that, I was trapped between two towering men locked in a glaring match that could probably melt steel. Though the Stranger looked more like he was amused by it.

As if this day couldn't get any better. 

I had half a mind to yell, 'Time out! Can we talk about why Leo's calling this guy a glorified man-whore?' 

But I didn't get the chance, because the tension was escalating faster than my patience could keep up. 

"Oh, they listen," The stranger said with a dark chuckle, stepping even closer. "And you should too. Walk away before I make a fool out of you, and they have to drag you off the pavement." 

By now, they were nose to nose, both looking ready to throw punches. I'd wisely stepped back before I got crushed in the testosterone-fueled showdown. 

Leo didn't flinch. "You might want to take your own advice unless you want to—" 

I swear I saw a hand rising.

"Nope!" I interjected, throwing my hands up. "Enough! Both of you, back off!" 

My voice wasn't loud, but it carried enough authority to momentarily break their staring contest. They turned to me, equally stunned, as if the idea of me not wanting to be fought over was completely foreign. 

Was it?

"You're making a scene," I hissed. "And for what? I don't even know either of you that well, and honestly? After this circus, I don't want to." 

They watched wordlessly and I took that as an invitation to continue.

"I'll have you both know that being fought over like a rag doll isn't exactly flattering. So do me a favor and stay away from me. Both of you." 

A scoff later, "As if you're worth fighting over for. Do me a favor, stay away from Me, either of you. Especially You." he said pointed towards me. 

Perhaps I overplayed my hand with 'being fought over for'. A healthy amount of red was creeping my face. 

Before it became apparent, I spun on my heel, ready to march off and salvage what was left of my day. But as I turned, I locked eyes with someone else. 

Aria. 

Her expression was pure, unfiltered shock, her jaw practically on the ground. 

Just like the cops, she shows up right after it's over. 

Without a word, I grabbed her hand and started dragging her toward the main building. She didn't resist, too busy glancing back at the crowd—more like the two idiots. 

Yeah, this was going to be an eventful first day.