AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“I can relate to that.” He lifts his glass up and twists it around before downing the rest. “I don’t know how I’d have a relationship with someone else now. Hell, I’m worried she might’ve ruined my ability to even sleep with someone else. Fuck, I hope I don’t need to.”
“Well, you were flirting with me. That’s a good sign, at least.”
One dimple appears, and that mischievousness pops in his eyes. “It’s different with you.Easy.”
“When you say it like that…” I elbow him in the side and give him a grin. “Flirting with you is always easy, J.”
“Well, at least we’ve got that if everything else goes tits up.”
“Tits up makes it soundwaybetter than it is.”
We both laugh. I take his hand and squeeze it tightly. I know this sucks, but I hope I can at least cheer him up a little. To think he hit the game-winning home run. I wonder if he was pretending Carrie’s face—or maybe her ex’s—was the ball.
Aaron
“What’s the deal with your brother?” I ask Joel, nodding to where Rae and Jesse are sitting. “He looks bummed and Rae has been all over him trying to cheer him up.”
Joel lets out a frustrated sigh and shakes his head. “I don’t know exactly, other than Carrie is putting his heart through a shredder.”
I grimace. “Seriously? They seemed perfect together.”
“I think they are, but supposedly, she’s not sure she’s done with her ex.” I raise my eyebrows in disbelief. “I don’t have the full story. I haven’t gotten him drunk enough for that yet. Seems he’s telling Rae, though.” He looks at me curiously. “Does that make you jealous?”
I grit my teeth, but shake my head. “No. I mean, I’m jealous of the closeness, but I know they’re friends. He wouldn’t cheat if he and Carrie are still together. I also know if they did hook up, it wouldn’t mean anything.”Even if it would drive me crazy.
Joel cocks an eyebrow. “Says the guy who punched him trying to prevent that once.”
“Well, a lot has changed since then. I sure as hell have. And when Jesse was in town after Thanksgiving… he was there for me, not just her. He’s my friend. It sucks that he’s hurting. Plus, after the verbal beatdown I got from Rae after the whole Kevin thing, I’m trying to remember that I don’t get a say in who she talks to or flirts with. And I’m trying to trust her.” I gulp some of my beer as Joel stares at me. Yes, seeing her with him still makes me feel a tiny bit ragey, but I’m working on it. And honestly, Jesse looks so shitty tonight. It’s impossible not to feel bad for him.
“Well, that’s good. For everyone involved,” he says with a wry chuckle.
I turn to the bartender. “Hey man, what’s he drinking?” I ask, nodding toward Jesse.
“Whiskey, neat.”
“Another, then. I’ll take it over. And send us a round of beers. The rest of them should be here soon.”
“You got it.”
He pours the whiskey and slides it to me.
Joel and I walk over to the table. I slide down on the other side of Jesse while Joel sits down next to Rae.
I set the whiskey in front of him and pat his shoulder. “I’m sorry, man.”
He nods and clinks his glass against my bottle.
Rae looks at me and gives me a big smile.Thank you,she mouths.
I nod. Then I notice she’s giving me a proud smile. Maybe she’s remembering how far we’ve come since I punched him, or she’s grateful for how friendly I’m being toward him. It’s hard to say, but I get the sense she wants to tell me something.
As Miles, Mackie, Sarah, and Amanda join us, I pull out my phone.
Me: What’s the look for?
She reaches for her phone, reads the text, then looks at me. She types something and grins at me.
Rae: This is my favorite side of you. The caring, protective side.
