I DIDN'T KNOW why Mackenzie was so pissed off and was curious as to what happened between her and Bruce. After going back into the store, I found him restocking some of the same weights I'd purchased.
"What's up?" he asked with a smile. "Need more?"
"No. I was just wondering what you did to get Mackenzie so riled up?"
His eyebrows shot up. "You spoke to her?"
"I tried to. She chewed my ass and then said you threatened her."
Bruce snorted. "I just told her to quit spreading rumors."
I had a feeling there was more. Bruce could be a real asshole when he wanted to. "That's it?"
"Well, I also told her that if she was going to be at our school, she needed to support us and not fucking Lancaster."
"Or what?"
He looked angry. "Look, I didn't actually threaten her. She's a lying cunt if she's told you otherwise."
For some reason, him calling her a cunt made my blood pressure rise. I sighed.
He moved closer to me and lowered his voice. "Hey, I know. She's hot. I get it. But, she's trouble and trying to make waves. If I were you, I'd stay the fuck away from her."
"I'm renting the studio from her grandmother. I can't afford to be kicked out," I replied. "Just... do me a solid and don't give her any more shit, okay?"
There was a long pause and then Bruce shrugged. "Fine. Whatever. I was just trying to have your back," he muttered.
I clapped him on the shoulder. "Bro, I appreciate it. I really do. It's just that things are fucked up at home for me and I don't want to have to go back there."
"I get it. I'll stay away from her." He then added, "As long as she doesn't start any trouble with me."
Bruce could be a hothead and a loose cannon, and I knew that was all I could really ask for from him.
"Thanks. I appreciate it."
I LEFT THE STORE and drove home. On the way, I noticed a few people staring at my car and chuckling. It was a little weird, but I brushed it off.
After arriving home, I got out of my Mustang. I was carrying some of the barbells out of my trunk when something caught my eye—the words "Mattie's Bitch" had been keyed onto the passenger door.
Enraged, I growled angrily and dropped the weights I'd been holding.
Someone was going to fucking pay.