Page 34 of Fake It For Love (Faux Love)
I was playing with fire. I didn’t care. These assholes used to shove me into lockers and knock shit out of my hands. Now, they were nothing but a bunch of older guys that forgot to check the date this morning. This wasn’t high school anymore. This was not something any of them were going to win. The temptation to push them into the pool was very, very strong.
“Tony, if you don’t move, I’m going to push you right back into the pool,” Claire said. “You clearly need to cool off.”
“I want to know what’s going on,” Tony growled. Water dripped down his face and chest. His attention was now focused on Norah. “Norah? What the hell? Is he bothering you?”
“No, Tony,” Norah said. “We were talking. That’s what people do.”
“Maybe you were talking, but he’s checking you out,” Tony said and turned back to me once again. “Why are you over here?”
“I was having a conversation with two lovely ladies,” I said. “Is that illegal? Should I not talk to anyone?”
“You know exactly what you were doing,” Tony shot back and took a step toward me.
I wasn’t about to take his shit sitting down. I got to my feet and squared off against him. I was taller than him. I always had been, but now, I was bigger than him. The days at the gym had paid off. Guys like Tony, Derrick, and Gabe no longer intimidated me. I could hold my own if I needed to.
“Dammit, you idiots,” Claire muttered and sat up in her chair. “Go play, Tony, and take your little friends with you.”
“Tony, please,” Norah said. “We were just talking. Claire is between us for Pete’s sake!”
“I know what he’s trying to do,” Tony growled while looking directly at me.
I took off my sunglasses and dropped them on the chair. I stared right back at him. He did not intimidate me. I wasn’t backing down. Not now. Not ever again. “What was I trying to do?” I asked.
“Tony, stop!” Norah hissed. “You’re making a scene.”
“Like this guy was,” Tony snapped. “Thinks he’s some kind of Tom Cruise flying in here in his own plane. Walking around like he’s the shit.”
“Tom Cruise, huh?” I said. “I think I’m a little bigger than that guy.”
“Shut up,” Gabe said from behind Tony.
This was so eerily reminiscent of high school. It would be funny if it wasn’t so ridiculous. Even I felt bad for Tony. “Why don’t you guys go play ball?” I said. “Or maybe have another drink.”
“Are you talking shit?” Tony hissed.
“Tony, stop!” Norah pleaded.
“I’m making sure this asshole knows he is not to come around you again,” Tony said while looking at me. “Do you get it? Stay away from her.”
“Or what?” I asked with a smile.
“No,” Claire said and stood up. She stepped between Tony and me. “Go, now!”
“I know you’re not talking to me,” Tony said to her.
“I’m talking to you and the rest of your buddies,” Claire said. “You are seriously making an ass of yourself. All of you are. Do you want to get thrown out of this place? If you do, where exactly do you plan on sleeping the rest of the time you’re here?”
“I’m not getting thrown out of anywhere,” Tony argued.
“Yes, you are,” Norah said. “Go. We weren’t doing anything. You’ve had too much to drink and you’re acting like an idiot.”
Norah was obviously embarrassed. People were looking now. I wasn’t trying to be the star of the show. It wasn’t my style. And I didn’t want to do anything that might ruin Norah’s wedding. We weren’t friends and I didn’t really care about her, but I wasn’t going to be the asshole that ruined things for everyone, Claire included.
“Look, man,” I said calmly. “I’m not interested in Norah. That’s old news. I’m with someone.”
“Bullshit,” Tony snapped. “I can see you looking at her.”
“Generally, when I have a conversation with someone, I look at them. I’m looking at you, and trust me, I don’t want to fuck you.”
