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He’d forgotten he’d borrowed Tommy’s clothing. Even worse, he’d need to return it to Erica. Would need to see her one more time. Maybe he’d package everything up nice and neat and ship it through the mail. No human contact required. No reminders of not one, but two rejections he’d been stupid enough to set himself up for.
He’d rather charge unarmed into enemy territory than see her again. He wasn’t right for her. Either she was telling the truth and, no matter what she might want physically, she wasn’t looking for a boyfriend and preferred to focus on her career.
Or she’d lied to him, and didn’t want to hurt his feelings. Didn’t want him, period.
Either way, he wasn’t going back for a third helping of humiliation.
Tommy cleared his throat and stepped closer. Right in Jeremy’s space, and suddenly Jeremy didn’t feel like a war vet who’d kicked more than a little insurgent ass. He outweighed Tommy in muscle mass, but the way the man was eyeing him right now, that might not make a difference.
“You going to answer me,” Tommy growled, “or do I have to beat it out of you?”
“Uh.” Jeremy raised both hands. “I might have run into Erica, but it was just for a night. We didn’t—I didn’t—”
Tommy fisted a handful of his shirt and shoved him back, eyes blazing. “You shithead. If you hurt her, I’ll kill you here and now.” He shoved Jeremy again, snarling. “Or were you too chicken to go through with it? Did you turn tail once you saw her scars, huh? Asshole. I should have killed you the last damned time!”
Jeremy held very, very still. If he didn’t, he’d punch Tommy right in the teeth. Had they still been friends, he might have. Tommy probably deserved a shot at him, since he’d just implied that he’d fucked his little sister like sex was a bloodsport and they were up for the gold.
Wait. Scars?
“What are you talking about? What scars? And why would I have been chicken?”
“You know exactly what I’m talking about,” Tommy hissed, then glanced to the side. His grip went slack. “Shit. Play it cool. I’m not going to jail, even for the pleasure of kicking your ass.”
Jeremy followed Tommy’s gaze. A trio of security guards forged through the crowd, hands hovering at their hips and a little too close to their Tasers. Jeremy had been tased once during a demonstration exercise in basic training. He had no desire to experience the 31 Flavors of electroshock pain a second time.
He pulled free of Tommy’s grip with a frown. “Let’s finish this somewhere else. My room. Come on.”
Together, they tried to skirt the security guards, but the men blocked their path. “Everything okay here?”
Jeremy tried his best drunken grin. “It’s all good. We’re old friends.”
Tommy nodded, but didn’t speak. His jaw was clenched tight, his arms tense. The guards looked less than convinced, but they let Jeremy and Tommy pass. They threaded through the packed casino and into the lobby. Jeremy led Tommy to his room without speaking. Anything they had to say to each other wouldn’t be pretty. Privacy was best.
Once inside, Jeremy closed the door and leaned against it. “Tell me what the hell you’re talking about. Now.”
Tommy eyed him. “You really don’t know about her scars?”
“I don’t know what the fuck you’re talking about.” Jeremy ground his teeth. “What scars?”
“You’d know if you’d actually slept with her. So where did the bruises come from, really?”
Jeremy sighed and moved deeper into the room to sink down on the couch. Either he was getting old, or just worn the fuck out, but he was too tired for this conversation. “It’s not your damned business, is it? I’m pretty sure you swore off our friendship the night you accused me of screwing your wife.”
Tommy blanched. “Look, I know I was wrong. I should have known then, too.”
“Yeah. You should have.” Jeremy fingered his dog tags and stared out the window. “You, of all people, should have known I wouldn’t do that. Everyone else, I expect it. I know they’ll automatically jump to the worst conclusion. But you?”
“I know.” Tommy sighed. “I’m sorry. I don’t know what else to say.”
“But you just did it again.”
“You can’t blame that one on me. You practically told me you jungle-fucked my sister. That one’s on you.” Tommy tried a smile, weary and humorless. “Look, I knew better. I knew you wouldn’t sleep with Nicole. I knew you loved Erica, but I fell for the lies anyway. Nicole practically had me in a noose. When it comes to love, the brain stops functioning. I’m sorry.”
Jeremy closed his eyes and dragged his hand down his face. He was too tempted to tell Tommy to take his apologies and go to hell, but unfortunately he understood him all too well. Love made people act like idiots. Just like how he constantly threw himself at Erica, even though he knew she didn’t want him.
His mind knew he was wasting his time, but his heart refused to listen.
“I know you’re sorry,” Jeremy said. “And I’ll try to accept that, but it’s not easy. That night ruined so much for me. So much for us. And Erica…”
