Page 67 of Xander

Anyone with eyes could tell something was up with how Xander ogled me, and by now, Kai had probably worked out that I was his stepmom. The territorial behavior concerned him. It was written on his face and in his silent exchanges with Xander.

One of his other teammates, who was introduced to me as Hunter, also appeared troubled by Xander’s spurts of jealousy. With his chiseled face and intense expression, Hunter looked like Xander except with lighter hair and eyes. “Are you sure, man? You’re acting a little…” he trailed off.

Kai opened and closed his mouth as if wanting to loop in the rest of the guys.

Xander caught the drift, his eyes darkening with churning thoughts, and took charge. “Just so everyone’s on the same page, Jordan used to be with my father,” he clarified, carefully omitting I was his stepmother. Being with his father was a lot simpler than being married to the man. He added, “But I made her leave Henry after he hit her.”

A buzzing pause made me realize the jukebox had fallen silent. Humiliation had me glancing away, unable to meet their pitiful gazes. How could he announce my private business this callously?

“She’s staying with me. I plan to protect her from that asshole, and I don’t want anyone looking at her or making her feel uncomfortable. Any questions?”

I expected an outcry following his bold declarations. Perhaps a few follow-up questions, too.

What happened?

Are you sure you want to interfere in your father’s personal business?

How will it look to the press, meddling in your father’s love life?

She isn’t worth the trouble.

To my surprise, the men returned to their bar nuts and draft beer.

Perhaps his insensitive declaration would work out for the best. These guys may assume Xander was being territorial to protect a battered woman.

Finally, Logan, one of his teammates who reminded me of a 90s surfer with his tousled dirty blond hair and slightly chipped grin, broke the uncomfortable silence. “My dad was an asshole like that. Got away with laying hands on my mom for fifteen years. The thing that finally sent him to jail was a fatal hit-and-run. Otherwise, he’d still be making her life hell.”

Xander gave a tight, sympathetic nod. “My father’s no different. He thinks no one will stand up for Jordan, and she’ll go back to him after he put his hands on her.”

“You can’t,” Logan blurted before he could catch himself. “You can’t go back to him, Jordan.”

The ominous warning in his voice had my heart doing somersaults. Logan glanced at me with a pleading look—if I wasn’t mistaken. There was a hint of uncertainty about whether approaching the topic was appropriate, given we had known each other for less than an hour.

“I know how abusers work.” He lowered his voice sympathetically. “First, he’ll apologize and say he’ll never do it again. Then he’ll treat you real nice for a while with flowers and dinners. But make no mistake, he will send you to the hospital before the month is up. If he hits you once and you still go back to him, it’ll start a new wave of violence. Because now he knows that he can get away with it.”

Xander watched me closely during Logan’s passionate plea, but he needn’t worry. “I don’t intend to return to Henry, ever,” I said plainly and watched Logan blow out a relieved sigh. As if the cheating wasn’t bad enough, domestic violence and putting his ex-wife through hell sealed the deal. I finally saw Henry for what he was—a scumbag. I had been docile in the past, but now, I was ready to fight Henry’s conservatorship tooth and nail. I wouldn’t even let a court mandate drag me back to that man.

“He refuses to accept it,” Xander cut in. “He has been messaging me nonstop for two days. He thinks he can threaten me into sending her back.”

I frowned. “He threatened you? You didn’t tell me that.” I hadn’t realized Henry had been harassing Xander, though I wasn’t surprised to hear it.

Xander didn’t acknowledge the question.

“Threaten you with what?” Logan asked.

“Knowing Henry, he’ll probably go to the press and bad-mouth me. It’s his usual MO.”

“If he does, we’ll back you up,” Logan insisted. “All of us can vouch for your character.”

“That’s right. No one will believe him,” Amos chimed in.

Amos had a point. If today was any indication, Xander was a star athlete, beloved by everyone—fans, teammates, his coach. Henry might be conniving, but I was starting to suspect Xander had surpassed his reach.

Had this been Xander’s plan all along—to take Henry on after he was positive he wouldn’t lose?

Another player, Ezra, saluted with his beer, his shaved head looking like a sheen of polished wood. “We have access to the press, too. If your father goes to them, we’ll let out the truth. We’ll give him a PR war if that’s what he wants.”

“No matter what, you can’t let him near her again,” Logan insisted. He dropped his voice and leaned over for Xander’s benefit, but I heard him clearly. “Women who’re murdered in domestic abuse cases are almost always killed after they leave.”