#Chapter 169: Here with You Now

“I can’t believe the nerve of that guy.” Lamar’s smile was shaky, his words unkind. “I’d always liked Asher before. He always seemed so smooth, like nothing could frazzle him. I never realized he’d be such a sore loser.” We sat in the ice cream parlor Lamar had suggested. The establishment itself was nice, with cheerful music and bright colored walls. Students and a few older couples filled the tables. Lamar stabbed at his hot-fudge sundae with his spoon. He hadn’t actually taken a bite yet. I hadn’t touched my milkshake either, but it wasn’t melting all over the table like Lamar’s sundae. My fear sat in my belly like a lead weight. My hands shook so hard that I gripped onto my knees, holding on through the trembling. Lamar didn’t seem to notice any of this, too annoyed by Asher’s protective behavior. “He was like an animal,” Lamar said. Even with the weight of my fear, I couldn’t hold back my defensive reflex. “He thought you were threatening me.” Lamar scoffed. “And