Page 48 of The Recovery Coach
“You need to come home.I’m tired of waiting.”
Connor’s fingers tightened on her waist.The audacity of this fucking man.
“I am home.”
“We’re having a baby.Your home is where your family is.”
Olivia’s stomach dropped.“You’rehaving a baby.How is that my responsibility?”
Lance’s fists clenched so tightly his knuckles turned white.A vein throbbed in his neck.“You’re barren.How else was I supposed to build us a family?”
She turned wide eyes to Connor, who shared her dumbstruck expression, confirming she’d accurately heard him.
“Dude, that’s fucked up,” Connor said.
Olivia was stunned speechless.
“You can fuck right off.This is none of your business.”Lance’s voice rose.
“No, you can fuck right off,” Connor said.“You have no right to come to my house and raise your voice at my guests.And using Livy’s infertility as an excuse for your dipshit behavior is disgusting.You cheated.You ruined your relationship.And now you need to leave.”
She couldn’t help the small smile playing at the corners of her mouth.As a kid Connor had such a temper.Ten years ago he would have led with his fists instead of voicing his anger.This interaction fucking sucked, but she was proud of him.And thankful she had him to stick up for her.
“I’m not going anywhere without my fiancée.”Lance reached for her and grabbed her hand.He tried to pull her away from Connor, but she stood her ground and yanked her hand free from his grasp.
Connor shifted to place his body in front of her again, despite the fact that he must be getting fatigued.“You will not lay another finger on her without her consent.”
“I’m not going anywhere with you, Lance.And I’m sure as hell not your fiancée.Leave, please.”
Valentine’s car pulled into the driveway.He parked, but didn’t get out.
Embarrassment made Olivia’s blood run cold.If Lance didn’t leave soon, everybody would know her business.Would know she’d spent years of her life with a man who treated her like trash.
Lance invaded Connor’s space, their chests brushing.Valentine got out of his car.
“I won’t stand by and let you turn me into a simpering cuck.”
“It’s a little late to be worried about that,” Connor said.
Fucking hell.Olivia knew he meant it was too late because she and Lance weren’t in a relationship anymore.But she also knew how Lance would take it.
Before she could react, Lance’s fist collided with Connor’s face.
She let out a startled scream and steadied Connor as he wobbled.His nose gushed blood.
Valentine, who had tried to intercept them before the violence started, pulled Lance off the porch by the collar of his shirt.When they were several feet away, he let go and placed himself between Lance and the door.
Olivia didn’t know whether to focus on Connor’s fresh injury or Valentine and Lance.
Lance threw elbows trying to get past Valentine to charge them again.“You’re too scared to fight your own battles?”he screamed.
Valentine said, “He doesn’t have to,” and decked Lance, who fell to the ground.
Lance clutched his face and yelled nonsense about calling the police.Olivia was way ahead of him.It would not be the peaceful, fun evening she imagined.
The police took forever to arrive, but luckily Lance had run away as soon as Olivia called them.Probably a smart move on his part.She worried about Valentine getting into trouble, but it was self-defense, so the cop only recorded statements and directed Olivia to file for a restraining order.She planned to the first chance she got.
Chapter 18
