Page 86 of Mountain Trial

Luc sighed. After the way Jacques had risked his life to help him and Kat at the hotel, Luc had no animosity left for him. But that didn’t mean he wanted to drink with the man.

“Luc,” Jacques said coolly.

“Jacques.”

“I heard from a friend of a friend that you and Kat are not together anymore.”

Luc saw red. He forced himself to relax his grip on the beer. “Don’t really see how that’s any of your business.”

Jacques laughed, clearly enjoying Luc’s discomfort.

“I thought you were smarter than me, man. But you’re not. Maybe I’ll try to convince her to give me another chance.”

Luc’s anger grew and grew, until he could almost see it in front of him, like a shiny new balloon. Then, just as suddenly, it popped, disappearing in a cloud of embarrassment as Luc understood that Jacques―Jacques, of all people―was trying to help him.

“Ah, I left you speechless. Good,” Jacques smirked.

“Fuck you, Jacques,” Luc said, but his voice held no animosity.

Luc knew why he’d pushed Kat away. But it was getting harder and harder not to wonder if there was anything else he could have done. Anything that didn’t result in this pain. And then another thought hit him, this one intolerable.

Is she hurting like this?

Maybe you fucked up, Luc.

Maybe Kat―

“I wish I could stay and argue with you, but I have plans tonight. So I’ll leave you to sulk into your beer.”

Just as Jacques left, another figure approached. It was Jens, Kat’s colleague from the PGHM.

For a dreadful moment, Luc wondered if something had happened to Kat. But no, the man was strolling towards him like he didn’t have a care in the world.

“Luc.”

“Hello, Jens.”

Luc looked down at his still-full beer. He could feel another lecture coming.

What is this, fuck-with-Luc evening?

“Are you alone? Mind if I sit for a moment?”

Luc nodded. He didn’t think he was going to get rid of the man otherwise.

“Is Kat …”

“She’s okay. She doesn’t know I’m here.”

Luc chuckled wryly.

“Wouldn’t be her style. She’d come see me herself, if she wanted to.”

Jens shrugged noncommittally.

“Listen. I’m the last person who should be doling out this kind of advice.” Jens made a face, like he couldn’t believe he was having this conversation.

“But you’re going to do it anyway, right?” Luc asked, staring into his beer.