“Andy, let go,” I warn.
I shake my arm in the hope his hold will break, but he tightens his grip and says, “You were with him, right?”
“Stop, please,” I breathe out in a panic.
“I think we all need to chill,” Dylan says, his focus locked on Andy’s hand on my arm. “Why don’t you have a smoke, Andy? Come on.”
“Answer the question, Noya,” Andy demands, his eyes locked onto mine.
“Let. Go.”
“You heard her.”
My eyes widen, and I turn to Conner when he steps out from around the corner. Those hazel eyes of his narrow, dilating until there’s no hint of green within them.
“Why don’t you let her go?”
“Stay out of this, Conner,” Andy spits, and he releases his grip on me. I step towards Conner, rubbing at the redness around my wrist. “You have nothing to do with this!”
“You are right,” Conner agrees, stepping ahead until he stands protectively in front of me. He juts his jaw. “But it won’t stop me from interfering when you put your hands on a girl.”
“Yeah?” Andy lifts his chin and puffs out his chest. Blue eyes dilate. I’ve seen this side of him before. He’s ready for a fight.
I grab Conner’s arm. “Let’s go, please…”
Conner steps back until he is beside me and looks down. With a nod, he turns. I sigh, but as I go to turn with him, I notice Andy appears closer than expected. My eyes bulge, and I push away from Conner just as Andy grabs at his shirt and shoves him. Conner stumbles, but regains his balance.
“You don’t want to do this, Andy,” Conner warns.
“Do what?” Andy challenges. “Come back here and think you know me—us!” He points to me, and I shrink back and look towards the ground. “You have no idea what you’re getting yourself into, mate.”
“I’m not yourmate,” Conner snarls. “Lay a finger on Noya again, and we might have to chat about you putting your hands on a woman without her consent.”
“Don’t.” He shoves Conner, eyes wild and bulging out of his sockets. “I willneverhurt Noya.” Andy grabs Conner’s shirt, but Conner doesn’t budge. With his hands by his sides, he glares at him as Andy throws a punch.
“Andy!” Samantha shouts.
Dylan grabs Andy before he can throw another punch and drags him back. Conner touches his jaw, looks at me, and smiles. “Come on. Let’s go.”
“Okay…”
“Noya!” Andy calls, and I flinch at his broken scream. “Can we talk, please?”
I look at Andy’s pleading look and say, “You can text me later.”
“Why not now?”
With trembling fists, I shout, “Because I don’t need to be around another violent person in my life!”
Samantha’s jaw drops, Dylan looks confused, and Wylan tips his head up and watches the scene unfold from the corner of his eye.
Andy, though, sags his shoulders and looks away with gritted teeth.
“Noya,” Conner murmurs my name.
With a shake of my head, I turn my back on Andy and walk down the building with Conner. “Why didn’t you hit back?” I ask him.
“I didn’t want to upset you. Besides, Andy throws piss-weak punches.” He chuckles, then sighs. “Are you all right? You got a little heated back there.”