Kicked by Celia Aaron

sheets as all three of us stood under the awning across the front of the restaurant.
    Cordy released Landon’s arm and whirled on him. “What the hell was that?”
    “He was touching you.” Landon shrugged.
    “Newsflash, Landon, it’s okay for people to touch me!” She fisted her hands at her sides as the wind whipped droplets of water onto her bare calves.
    She was wrong on that count, but I wasn’t about to break this up. Landon needed to learn that he would never receive clearance to fly outside the friend zone.
    “Not him.” He pointed at me but kept his eyes on hers. “Have you forgotten what he did?”
    “No.” She crossed her arms over her chest.
    “Then act like it. You’re out to dinner with him like he’s worth your time. He’s not. He’s the same spoiled rich boy who ran off and left you.”
    “I’m not having this conversation.” She shook her head. “Not here and not in front of Trent.”
    “Let me take you home.” He grabbed her elbow.
    I’d heard enough. “Not a chance.”
    “I wasn’t talking to you.” Landon bristled and finally looked at me. “Go on back to your mansion and drown yourself in some Perrier or champagne or whatever the hell you got. This is between me and Cordy.”
    “Take your hand off her.” I tried to keep my control, but every second he touched what was mine made a muscle tick in my jaw.
    “You going to make me?”
    “Stop!” Cordy stepped away from both of us and into the rain. “Trent, drive both of us back to campus. No talking from anyone. Just driving.” She marched toward my car.
    I fumbled in my pocket for the key fob and unlocked the doors right as she reached for the door handle.
    She yanked it open. “Landon, get in the back.”
    “I’d rather walk.” He turned.
    “Landon Russell Garnet! Get your ass in this car!” Her shrill yell made the hairs on the back of my neck stand up.
    That stopped him in his tracks. He stalked past me and muttered “motherfucker” under his breath. I followed and dropped into the driver’s seat as he slammed my back door far harder than necessary.
    “No talking. Just driving. Everyone cool off.” She shivered as she spoke.
    I turned the air to warm and tried to surreptitiously press the button to turn off the heat to the rear passenger seats, just to be a dick. She slapped my hand away and clicked it back on. Busted.
    The rain didn’t let up as I drove down the road back toward campus. Water rose along the edges of the pavement, and my tires sent up curtains of water with every puddle. Cordy stayed silent, and one glance into my rearview gave me a full view of Landon’s scowl. I turned onto University Circle as lightning streaked the sky, followed by a crash of thunder.
    “Where can I drop you, Landon ?” I tried to keep the edge out of my voice. I failed.
    “Hope Hall.”
    I shot him a death glare in the rearview mirror. There was absolutely zero chance I’d take him to Cordy’s dorm.
    “No.” Cordy stared out the window, her face hidden. “He’s in Rowen Hall.”
    My glare turned to a smirk. He flipped me off as I turned down the side street leading to his dorm.
    He reached forward and put a hand on Cordy’s shoulder. “I want to talk. We need to—”
    My grip tightened on the steering wheel. His familiarity with her rankled.
    “Not now. Not after that. I need a minute. We’ll talk tomorrow.” She shook her head.
    He withdrew his hand and slumped into the seat.
    I pulled up in front of Rowen Hall. “This is your stop.”
    Landon pulled the handle but didn’t open the door. “Cordy, come inside with me.”
    “Not a chance.” I glowered at him in the mirror. “Get out.”
    “Tomorrow, okay?” She glanced back at him, kindness in her eyes, but resolve in the set of her jaw. She definitely did not feel like talking.
    “I don’t want to leave you with him.” Landon hesitated.
    Every second he waited was one more second where I wanted to pummel him for even thinking he had a chance