I shifted my weight between my feet. No use trying to lie to him. “Jack, I can explain. He’s not a bad guy.”
“Judge Grant from Davidson County disagrees.”
I rubbed my temples. I’d been awake for all of forty-five seconds. I couldn’t handle Jack’s massive attitude before coffee. “Well, screw Judge Grant.”
He added cream to his coffee—guess that cup wasn’t for me. “You aren’t thinking straight.”
“I don’t need you to think for me.”
“You sure about that? Sleeping around with bad boys and ex-cons doesn’t seem like a good judgment call.”
Heat rushed to my face. I didn’t even know where to begin in refute of such outlandishness. Sure my choice of men had been questionable at best, but Pat was totally different. “We didnotsleep together!”
His face was unreadable as he temp tested the coffee.
“And he is not a bad boy—whatever the crap that means! Sounds like something we’d say in middle school.”
He said nothing, letting me dig my own hole.
“Dang it, Jack! Why are you so like Dad? I swear I can’t talk to either of you. I immediately have to defend myself!”
“I’m just looking out for you.”
“It feels more like intruding.”
“I know his type. Bad news, Jules. You need to stay away.”
“Here’s the thing.” I knew my tone was pleading, but I couldn’t help it. “He told me what happened the night he was arrested. He was falsely accused. Someone set him up.”
Jack’s coffee cup thunked on the table. A blank look washed over his face. “He told you that?”
“Um—yes.”
“Unbelievable!”
“It’s true though.”
“Julia! You know how many convicts say the exact same thing? Come on! I didn’t realize you were so gullible.”
Tears pricked at my eyes. The vapor of doubt in my heart was not appreciated. “Please leave. You aren’t allowed to come into my apartment and bark orders at me like I’m a rookie from your job. I have feelings for Patrick, and that’s not going to change because you’re having some sort of superiority complex.”
“But you deserve so much better, sis.”
Right as I was about to blow a gasket, the door opened. Pat strolled in as cool as a cucumber. My gaze darted between the two of them, unable to read their expressions.
Jack was the first one to break the silence. “Back for more?”
“Had one last thing I wanted to say to you.”
“Hold up. When did you two talk?”
Pat turned toward me, eyes soft. “In the hall a few minutes ago.”
“I’m surprised to see you upright so soon.”
I narrowed my eyes at Jack. What did he mean? They didn’t look like they’d physically fought or anything. Although I wouldn’t put it past Jack to throw a punch or two.
“It’s not without some effort.”
