Jester glances over his shoulder. He looks back at me with a smile. “You can solve the problem by leaving with me.”
“No.”
“Stubborn wench.”
“I did my shot, asshole,” I counter. “I need to finish eating.”
At least he has the good grace to look contrite. “Shit. Sorry.”
“Fuck you.”
I shovel the food in my mouth, ignoring how Jester watches me. The silence between us is painful, but it doesn’t last because he was always a talker.
And as much as I hate to admit it, I always loved listening to him.
“Aren’t you going to argue with me for ruining your date?”
I arch a brow. “No.”
“You’re no fun.”
“Aw, I’m so not sorry.” I finish the last of my meal. “But if you want entertainment, I hear Mayhem has a red-light district. I’m sure you’ll find some fun there.”
His laughter is deep and rich and resonates through me as he reaches out to curl my hair around his finger. The simple touch sends a shiver down my body, from my scalp to my toes. “What if all I want is you?”
I slap his hand away. “Then you’re going to be one lonely man.”
His lips—goddamn those full lips—lift into a mischievous grin. “I’ve been lonely for years.”
“Doubt that,” I counter with a snort.
It takes an immense amount of strength not to flinch under his scrutiny. “I like this adult version of you.”
Does he mean the bitter, heartbroken, and humiliated version of me? How about I shove this version up his—
“We’re not doing this, you and I,” I say, cutting off my hostile train of thought because nothing good will come from me traveling down this road.
“Doing what?”
I motion to us. “This. Us. We’re never going to happen. You fucked up, and nothing you can do can unfuck what you did. Not slamming me up against my front door and kissing me. Nor deliberately running into me in town. Not ruining my dates, or however else you plan on instigating yourself in my life, because I see you. You’ll always be Luke Hayden to me, no matter what you call yourself. You’re the kid who was too afraid to say goodbye to me, so you cheated to get me to do it for you.” I spring to my feet, nearly tripping over my chair. “I’d warn you to stay the hell away from me, but we both know you’re incapable of putting anyone above yourself.”
I said more than I intended, and I snatch my bag from around the chair and march away from the table without a backward glance. But Jester’s stare fries me as I stalk through the restaurant. I stop in front of Havoc and give him such a violent shove, and he bangs against the wall. But I don’t release him. I keep my hands fisted in his black T-shirt. And my God, the nerve of him to snarl at me as if I’m in the wrong.
“I’m done. Do you understand me? Done. His little stunt killed whatever friendship you and I had.” I drag in a shaky breath, dangerously close to public tears. “You just couldn’t keep him on a fucking leash, could you?”
“Don’t you think you’re overact—”
“Shut your goddamn mouth,” I shout at Discord. Then back to Havoc, “I’d ask how you can let him humiliate me again, but the Unholy stick together like maggots on shit. Well, fuck you, too, Havoc.” I uncurl my fists from his shirt. “Oh, and don’t worry. You can tell Crow I’ll still help with your problem because this is my town, too. But stay the hell away from me.”
“Faith,” Havoc says, but I hold up my hand and cut off his bullshit excuse.
I storm out of the restaurant before I do something epically stupid—like cry in front of them.
God forbid.
The blast of fresh mountain air is exactly what I need to dry my unshed tears. Unfortunately for Jester, my temper gets relit when I see where he parked. What a dumb sonofabitch. It’s like he’s asking for me to do something evil. I fish out my keys from my bag as I stalk toward his Wrangler parked directly next to my Charger. I glance at the sharp object in my hand, then at the Jeep’s pristine bright yellow paint.
Let’s be honest. Jester needs to be taken down a few pegs.
