His unexpected appearance and the tone of his voice throws me off and only sours my mood.
“None of your business.”
“We have one more date.”
“Go away.” I continue to walk.
“You signed a contract.”
He snatches the carton of coffee out of my hand, and we keep walking. The SUV trails slowly behind us and I realize it must not be a regular Uber car but one of Jason’s. God knows he’s rich enough to own a fleet of cars.
“Is that your car?” I ask.
“Yes.”
“Do you have a driver too?”
“Sometimes.”
“Caroline can tear up the contract and give you your money back. Oh wait, that’s right, she can find you another match.”
“I don’t want another match. I want my third date with you, Adrienne.”
“Well, I want world peace and healthcare for all, but that ain’t happening no time soon.”
“What’s wrong with you today? Did something happen at work?”
“You’re what’s wrong.”
“So let me understand something. You were actually considering getting back with that asshole after he fucked someone in your bed and you won’t give me a pass because I didn’t tell you what I do for a living?”
The way he brought up Troy and what he did is painful. His choice of words and the tone in which he delivered them are caustic, and they hurt me almost as much as if he physically slapped me.
“You’re a liar just like him.”
“I amnothinglike him.”
At this point we are in front of Owen’s place. Owen lives on the first floor of a brownstone and can hear everything that happens outside in the front half of his apartment where we usually study. He opens the heavy wood door to his place in his shirt and basketball shorts, looking meaner than he really is.
“Everything okay out here?” he asks sternly.
I think everyone who matters in my life (and thousands who don’t) now know that I have some sort of association with Jett Caraway, but they don’t know the details because no one dares to ask me (except for my family). I don’t bring it up and they don’t ask. Even if they did, I would refuse to talk about it, but that doesn’t mean that they can’t read. Owen knows exactly who Jason is and from what I know is a big sports fan, but that doesn’t matter right now. He’s got my back as a friend and I appreciate that more than he knows right now.
“Everything’s fine, Owen. Are Paige and Keisha here yet?”
“No, they’re running a little late.”
Jason extends his hand.
“Hi, I’m Jett.”
It’s so weird to hear him introduce himself as Jett, but that’s his name. I’m the only dummy who it sounds odd to.
“I know who you are,” Owen says, and neither Jason nor I miss the edge to his tone. He’s being an ass for my sake, but he may overdo it a bit.
“It’s nice to meet you.” Jason continues with the pleasantries, not taking the bait.
“Uh huh,” Owen says dismissively. “We should probably get going, A. We’ve got a lot of work to do tonight.”
