Page 107 of Stanton Adore

21

Natasha

My eyes bulge from their sockets. Oh, tell me he did not just say that. Everybody collectively takes a breath and Cameron and Ben quickly grab me and put me behind them. Josh drops his bag. “You really want to die tonight, fucker, don’t you?” He walks over and punches him straight in the face. They grab each other and slam into the wall behind them, and security starts to run from everywhere to separate the two. Adrian and the girls are all in silent shock, as am I.

Cameron turns to Ben. “Get Natasha to the car.”

Ben nods and grabs my arm.

“Let me go.” I yank my arm out of his grip. “Joshua,” I yell. They continue fighting.

”Joshua,” I yell again. He seems to remember I’m here and backs off from the kamikaze who is obviously on a death wish. He shakes his head. The guy is still being held by security. Joshua turns and takes my hand and starts to storm toward the car. Abbie and Bridget and Adrian are practically running to catch up.

“Oohh! Smell that adrenaline. It’s frigging hot,” Abbie slurs. “Your vagina must be on fire, Natasha.” She giggles. “All these hot guys fighting over you.” Everybody bursts out laughing and Cameron laughs but turns and puts his finger up to his lips to signify silence. I turn around as Joshua drags me forward by the hand like a naughty child. I do wide eyes at the girls, signifying for them to shut the hell up.

Bridget nods. “Yes, from now on you will be called Dr. Flaming Vagina.” Everybody bursts out laughing again.

Joshua stops and turns. “Enough,” he yells. Even I am having trouble stifling my giggles and the three stooges drop behind us to laugh out loud at their stupid flaming vagina joke. Cameron wisely stays straight faced and with us.

“How the fuck do you know him, Natasha?” Joshua snaps.

“Um, he’s a prison warden at the jail I visit through work.”

He stops still and Cameron and Ben both turn to see what he’s doing. “You go to the fucking male prison?” I swallow and nod. “You will be handing in your resignation on Monday!” he screams. His order to leave work is like waving a red flag in front of a bull to me, but he is way too mad for me to even think about fighting with him now.

Cameron must sense my agitation and steps in.

“Josh, mate, let’s just get home in one piece, huh.” I am grateful I have Cameron here to calm him down.

Cameron turns to Ben. “You go to the Ivy with them and I will go with Tash and Josh. I will meet you there in about an hour.” Ben nods and then pulls out his phone and texts someone and, in a few seconds, the two Audis come around the corner. The four others pile into the first car and Josh, Cam and I get into the second. Cam squeezes my hand reassuringly as I get into the car. We sit in silence on the way to my apartment and I come to the realization that Cam has come with us to make sure Josh isn’t so mad he starts to fight with me. He’s making sure I’m safe or maybe making sure Josh doesn’t go out and continue fighting, either way I’m impressed with his loyalty. We get back to my apartment and Josh bales straight out of the car and storms toward the door.

Cam looks at me and smiles as we both slowly climb out of the car. “I would ask you to come out with us but we both know he won’t let you come without him and if he goes out tonight, he will definitely get into trouble.” Cam raises his eyebrows and gives me a sympathetic smile.

I blow out a breath and nod. “Is he going to try and fight with me now?”

“I don’t think so. He hates fighting with you.”

“How do you know that?” I’m puzzled to find out how much Joshua tells Cam, how deep their friendship is.

“Because he doesn’t eat or sleep when you’re fighting with him and he follows me around, stressing me out.”

I smile, oh crap. Cameron does know everything. “How much does he tell you, Cam?”

He smiles. “Probably more than you would like.” I nod again as we enter the lift. Josh has obviously stormed up without us. I suddenly feel uncertain about the info he has on me and Cameron must be able to sense my apprehension.

“Don’t worry, Tash, you’ve got him by the balls.”

I smile and link my arm through Cam’s and roll my eyes. “Really. Balls? I’m honored. Here I was thinking that maybe I had him by the heart.”

He laughs. “That too.” He winks as we enter my level and approach my wide-open door. I look at the door and frown at Cameron.

He shakes his head. “It’s just the adrenaline, Tash. He would still be full of it. He will be back to normal in the morning.” I nod. This is ridiculous, I am dealing with a tantrum-throwing two-year-old here. I can hear him in the shower, and I flick the jug on.

“White and one,” Cam says as he bites into an apple out of my fruit bowl.

“So, Dr. Stanton, hey?” I tease.

He smiles. “Yep, three months to go.”