“What?” His head jerks back as he gapes at me.
I laugh roughly. “I realize you think I wouldn’t say something nice about you, but I would. I can tell her what a great guy you are, and that if you ask her out, I think she should go.”The words keep pouring out as he stares at me. “Or if you want, I can tell her that you asked me to find out if she would go out with you and cut out all the back-and-forth stuff. You’d be good together.”
“Right.” He nods slowly as Chief Carter honks while driving past. His boss waves at us, but neither of us acknowledges him. He presses his lips together and then licks them. “And you wouldn’t mind doing that?”
Tears swell in my throat as I try to talk, but the words won’t come out. Mind? Yes, I fucking mind. The last thing I want to do is see you with another woman. The only thing worse would be knowing I set you up with her.
I clear my throat. “I’d be happy to. Just let me know what you prefer.”
“I need to go.” He spins on his heel, marches around the front of the car, and climbs back inside.
Without a backward glance, he’s gone, and I’m left with a stupid, fat tear slipping down my cheek.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Jake
The Next Night
As I navigate through the bar, I wave at several people I know. Even though Callahan’s is nearly an hour from Brookhaven, the bar is miles above Rusty Nail Tavern, our local watering hole.
I didn’t even bother stopping by there on my way out of town. The same people will be there, regardless. It’s the place where the down-on-your-luck drunks go to get plowed.
When I first graduated from high school, some of us would go there hoping to find someone to buy us alcohol. The customers were usually falling down, some even pissing themselves. We quickly discovered staying sober wasn’t so bad, and the place was too depressing to return to.
The band on stage plays a familiar cover song as the people on the dance floor laugh and dance to the music.
As I get near the bar, I wave at Dominic and Xavier. “Hey, guys.”
“Jake.” Xavier pats my back. “How’s it hanging?”
“Low and to the left.”
“Right on.” He laughs and waves the bartender over for a drink. “What can I get you?”
“One beer, and then I’m switching to water.” I smile. “I’ve got a badge to protect.”
“We’re responsible drinkers.” Xavier winks. “Not as responsible as you, but I limit myself and don’t drink and drive under the influence.”
“God, I feel like a total buzzkill. Back in Columbia, I rarely went out because this is what happened. Either the friends got weird around me, or they got drunk off their ass and drove anyway. Some of the cops weren’t any better. I’ve known too many that believed they were above the law.”
“It’s fine.” Dominic crosses his arms over his chest. “I get that these conversations aren’t always pleasant.”
“No.” I shrug as Xavier orders another beer and my drink. “They aren’t.”
Xavier slaps my shoulder. “We’ve got your back. You don’t have to worry about us making it weird or dropping you.”
“Thanks.”
“Are you coming over on Sunday? We’re having another game.”
“Yeah, I wouldn’t miss it. Sundays are still my day off.”
“That’s great.” After he pays for our drinks, Xavier says, “I’m going to check on Sam.”
“Good. Distract Sam because Bella will be here later.” Dominic grins. Sam, one of Bella’s brothers, is not on board with their relationship. The idea is warming on him, but he still isn’t thrilled with the thought of one of his best friends being with his sister.
“On it,” he laughs as he changes course.
