“You’re not a fucking watcher, you’re nosy; it’s not the same thing,” Noah said.
“I wondered about that,” Ethan said, entering the conversation when Cubby wanted it to stop. “I noticed right off there was something going on between you and Katie, Sheriff, a kind of tension in the air.”
“There is no fucking tension, now shut up, all of you!”
“Now now, no need to get your gun belt in a twist,” Buster taunted. “Just stating facts, Sheriff.”
“And you”—Cubby jabbed a finger in Jake’s shoulder—”she’s is your sister, you shouldn’t be talking about her like this, or of her having the hots for someone. Brothers should be pissed off about that kind of thing, not discussing them openly.”
“So you’re saying you do have the hots for her?” Jake tilted his head to one side as he studied Cubby. “And how could I be pissed about her having the hots for a fine upstanding man like yourself?”
Jake’s words may have been lighthearted, but his eyes were deadly serious.
“It’s a good match too, Jake,” Newman said.
“Couldn’t be a better one unless I handpicked him,” Jake added, as if he were discussing a car part.
Cubby’s temperature spiked again as his heart kept thudding hard in his chest. The thought of Katie as his partner made him off balance, and even worse, the fact that his friends were discussing it openly didn’t sit well.
“Don’t discuss Katie when she’s not here to defend herself.”
“We’re not being mean to her, Cub, just saying we approve,” Noah said.
“There’s nothing to approve, so stop this shit now. I don’t want anyone else in this town getting wind of this BS.”
“You’re mighty riled considering there’s no truth to it,” Tex said.
“I’m not fucking riled!”
“Right, this is you not being riled,” he drawled.
“This conversation could be a waste of time if Katie already has a boyfriend, Jake, did you think of that?” Newman added.
Cubby didn’t like his reaction to hearing Newman’s words, but he controlled it, because he was a goddamn sheriff, and he did not lose his shit! When had he become so unstable, he wondered. One minute he was all about treating Katie like a friend and nothing more, and the next minute all he could think about was them, him and her together. He clearly needed a vacation. It must be work overload. Or maybe he needed a woman. Someone out for a mutually satisfying, no strings attached evening. He had a few friends in Brook he could look up.
“Yeah, you could be right,” Jake said calmly. “She may have someone in LA. I’ll have to check that out before we work through this thing she and Cubby have.”
“There is nothing and therefore nothing to work through,” Cubby said through his teeth.
“Strange to see you so riled, Sheriff; can’t remember the last time I did, to be honest.” Buster was giving him a steady look.
“I’m done!” Cubby snarled, getting to his feet. “You fuckers are immature assholes, and if I could I’d arrest the lot of you for just that.” He stormed away.
“You came with me!” Buster called.
Ignoring them, he started running when he reached the road, heading back into town at a near sprint. He needed the training anyway, he told himself. He cut into the redwoods and circled town, coming out near his house. His heart was pounding, head no clearer as he stopped at the gate.
“You run back, son?”
“Yup,” he managed, leaning on the fence to try and haul in a breath that didn’t hurt.
“How’s that Katie McBride doing, dear? Heard she had some trouble up there in LA? Nice girl, that one, you should see about taking her out on a date.”
This is not happening.
He didn’t need his mother getting in on the act right now, not when he was already rubbed raw by his friends.
“She’s seeing someone. You have a good night out,” he rasped before lifting a hand and disappearing inside. Once there, he showered, then switched the water to freezing to get his temperature down. Dressing, he grabbed his keys and got back into his cruiser. Doing a circuit of his town, he assured himself everything looked settled heading into the evening, and then found himself driving back along the lake. He didn’t stop to think, and hoped like hell he didn’t meet any of the boys returning from the park. Cubby just needed to reassure himself that she was doing okay, and then he’d leave. Jake’s words were niggling at him.Was she drinking?
