An Unexpected Love Story (Love Story Book Two) Read Online Free Page B

was standing there, looking for all the world like she hoped she’d be able to witness a fight tonight. She was such a drama queen.
    “This skank is hitting on Joel,” Justine said, pointing a long, manicured finger in my face. “I saw her!”
    Nikky’s face lit up. “Really?”
    “Of course not,” Paul said. “Just get out of here, okay? We don’t want any trouble.”
    “You think you can just have whatever you want, don’t you Murray?” Justine’s face was twisted up, making her look even worse than she usually did. “You’ve always been that way. What is it about being a slut that makes you think you’re entitled to every guy in town?”
    “Okay, I’ve had about enough of your crap—” I started, goaded now beyond control. But Paul took my arm, pulling me behind him a little bit.
    “She’s not worth it,” he said to me, his voice soft. “You have too much to do this weekend without getting in a bar fight.” He turned back to Nikky. “Nik, can you just get her out of here, please?”
    It worked like a charm. Nikky had always had a crush on Paul, and when he smiled at her, like he was doing now, she was liable to do just about anything he asked.
    “Sure,” she said, giving him her best flirty smile in return. I rolled my eyes behind Paul’s back. But Nikky started tugging on Justine’s arm, pulling her away from the table. “Come on, Justine,” she murmured. “Let’s just go.”
    “This isn’t over,” Justine hissed, pointing at me again. “I am so going to kick your ass, Murray.”
    “Oh dear,” I said, my voice flat. “I am so worried. How on earth will I get by, what with all the worry?”
    “Shut up,” she said, shaking free of Nikky’s arm to take a step closer. “You think you’re so smart ’cause you went to some bull shit school. But I know what you really are. Everyone in town does. You’re no better than a stupid whore. And you’re going to end up alone and ugly, just like a whore.”
    “Okay,” I said, brightly, doing my best to affect her normal, ditzy voice. “See you later then, sweetie. Call me!”
    “Bitch,” she muttered once more, before turning to follow Nikky out of the bar.
    I took a deep breath, the rush of adrenaline slowly dissipating, leaving me feeling suddenly exhausted. I looked around and realized most of the bar was staring at me. Great. If there was one thing I needed right now, it was more attention.
    “Sit down,” Paul said, all but pushing me into my seat. “I’ll get you another drink.”
    I sat down, feeling tired. Tired and sad, though I wasn’t sure why. Justine meant nothing to me, and her words should mean even less. So why did I feel like I could put my head down on the table and burst into tears?
    Suddenly, Joel grasped my arm. “Brooke, I think I need to go home,” he said, his voice low. “I’m pretty sure I just passed out. I had the strangest dream that Justine was here.”
    I sighed, patting him on the shoulder. “It was more like a nightmare, buddy.”
    Paul returned with my drink, and I raised an eyebrow. I had assumed he was going to get me another beer, but he instead offered me a shot glass of something amber. He gave me a sheepish look. “I figured you could do with something stronger.”
    I downed the glass of whiskey in one go, the burn making me feel marginally better. “Thanks.”
    Next to me, Joel put his head down on the table. He was snoring almost immediately. Paul sat on my other side and started rubbing my back with one hand. The kindness made me feel even worse, somehow.
    “You handled that well.”
    “Yeah, right. I was ready to get into an all-out brawl.”
    “But you didn’t,” he pointed out. “You managed to hold your temper. That’s a good thing.”
    I sighed and reached over for his glass, figuring my need was greater than his.
    “Seriously, Brooke,” he said, his voice low and near my ear. I closed my eyes, letting the sound of it wash over me. The idea of his being close to me