Page 54 of Timber's Line

“Lots of talk, no action.” He smirks, and I kick him in the chest, and he stumbles back. I have my arm across his throat, and I can see his face turning red.

He grins. “End me if that makes you feel better.” I punch him continuously until he goes limp.

Someone’s arms pull me back, and I stare down at Easton.

He looks up at me. “Feel better?”

Do I?

“You set me up?”

“I knew you needed to take your anger out on me,” he says as Nash helps him up.

“What the fuck?”

“I think you should hear exactly what happened with me and your ex, and not what you saw in the media. You as well as anyone knows the media distorts and twists things.”

“You just let me kick the crap out of you?”

“I let you blow off some steam, don’t get cocky,” he hisses as we sit on the couch near the tree. Everyone went back to the porch, giving us some space.

“You can be really scary, though,” Easton admits.

“You’re crazy,” I laugh.

“Oh good, my reputation is still intact.” He chuckles and then coughs.

“Sorry about your nose,” I say softly.

“I’ve had worse. I’m sure you broke a rib, but I’ll live. I’m sure Memphis or London is going to get some wraps. Silas can reset my nose.”

“Why did you honestly do this?”

“You’re angry at me. Within certain rights. I knew this was the right way to let you let your anger flow. Do you feel better?”

“I do.” I nod.

“I only said some of those things to get you to that point. I never slept with Snow. I wouldn’t do that to you, despite what the rumor mill says. We were never together. I did go to a few of her ballets, but that was it.”

“Wait, she was still dancing?”

“She was. She lied to you, but I don’t know why. That’s for her to tell you. I wasn’t poaching. But I did know you would be angry when the pictures hit the press.”

“Nothing happened?”

“No. Not going to lie, I think she’s beautiful, but I couldn’t do that to you.”

“And now?”

“Now that it’s over and you’re going to move on, still a no.”

“Why?”

“Because she’s not the one.”

“Who is?”

“I don’t know,” he smiles at the ground, “but I do know you have a girl who likes you.”