Free Saved By You by Kelly Harper

said it. The name tickled with familiarity, but I didn’t know why. It was like some thought was trying to make its way through the thickness surrounding my brain.
    “From LA?” I repeated, dumbly.
    Haden nodded. “Kyle went and picked her up at the airport today.”
    “Then where is he?” I said, shaking my head. “Shouldn’t he be hovering around here like the vulture he is.”
    “My ears are burning, did someone say my name?” The voice boomed over us, and I cringed beside myself.
    The lanky bean pole of a man leaned up to the table out of nowhere. He was like some sort of evil magician that only appeared at the worst possible times. He shot a warm smile at Zoe, that caught me off guard, and when he turned back to me, he gave me a look that surprised me even more.
    The smile on his face faded. His face slackened, and he gave me a serious look. His lips pinched together and twitched from side to side like he was going to say something. But, the only thing that came out was a simple, “Hi.”
    I stared at him in disbelief, certain that the alcohol was playing tricks on me. I looked back at Haden, who looked as confused as I felt. The moment passed, quickly.
    “So, let me get this straight,” I said. “It’s not even a few hours after you told me you loved me, and you’re already getting close to your ex?” I looked between Kyle and Zoe. “Didn’t she cheat on you with the biggest douche bag in the world?”
    Kyle’s mouth twitched to the side, and for the first time the smile on Zoe’s face disappeared.
    Haden tried to lean in between me and the rest of them. He fixed me with a look.
    “You should go home and sleep this off,” he said. “We can talk more tomorrow.”
    “No,” I said, loudly. “You don’t want to talk because you know I’m right.”
    “Maggie, I think you’re drunk,” he said.
    Huck was behind me, and I hard him whisper something to Sarah. I couldn’t tell what it was, but afterward she leaned in to speak to me.
    “Maybe he’s right, Maggie. We should be getting back home,” she said.
    “I don’t want to go home,” I announced, looking at all of them like they were all crazy. “I want to know what gives Haden the right to just do whatever he wants.”
    Haden’s eyes tightened as he winced. The anger on Zoe’s face cracked, and she let out another little laugh.
    “You’re sticking around Green Falls for this little tart?” she said. She gave Haden a concerned look, shaking her head. “How the mighty have fallen.”
    “You bitch,” I said.
    I couldn’t take it anymore. Without thinking, I launched myself across the table, my hands stretched out toward her. I was inches from her when something stopped me. Arms wrapped around me, and pulled me back. I was lifted clear off the stool a full foot from the table. I struggled for a second before getting my feet underneath me.
    “Let me go,” I said, my voice high and my body jerking wildly. But the arms were unwavering.
    I glanced over my shoulder, and saw the big frame of Huck behind him, his eyes were locked on everyone at the table, as though holding me in place required no effort at all.
    “You don’t speak to her like that,” Haden said, turning to Zoe. Her eyes were wide as she watched Huck restraining me. “She’s twice the woman you’ll ever be.”
    “Let’s get out of here,” Kyle said, leaning in close to her. Zoe gave him a look of outrage, but didn’t resist when he tried to lead her away.
    Sarah stepped in front of me, blocking out whatever else they were saying.
    “We need to go,” she said. “This is out of hand.”
    Finally, I stopped struggling against Huck’s iron grip. Slowly, he relaxed his arms and I was free to stand on my own. I shrugged a shoulder, trying my best to compose myself.
    “You’re right,” I said. “I don’t have time to be dealing with these losers.”
    Zoe looked like she was about to say something else, but Kyle pulled her away before she could.
    When they were