I allowed him to fume for a moment, letting the tension build. Drunk or not, he was clearly looking for a fight—or at least a scene.
Claire squeezed my hand lightly again, a small warning, but I gave her a reassuring nod.
"Relax," I murmured.
The ex stumbled a step closer, eyes blazing. "You think you can just waltz in and brag? After everything?"
His classmates quickly jumped in, grabbing him by the shoulders, trying to hold him back.
"Come on, man, chill!" one of them shouted, struggling to keep him steady.
He wrenched against them anyway, veins standing out in his neck.
"No. You don't get it," he slurred. "She's mine. She always was. That guy stole her from me! He used his money to get her!"
One of his friends shook their head, trying to reason with him.
"Dude—stop. You're drunk. Everyone's staring. This isn't worth it."
He shoved back against them, glaring at me. "She's mine! She should be with me!"
I stood up and looked him straight in the eye.
