AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“I’ve got everything to lose. He’s made it quite clear he’s on Jess’s side, no matter what. She doesn’t trust me as it is. She’s not going to trust me if I push Kellan for answers.”
“I hate to say this,” Lucas says, “but maybe you and Jess aren’t meant to be. I mean, it’s obvious you care a lot for her. Possibly even love her. But sometimes that’s not enough.”
He’s right. Sometimes it isn’t enough. I’d hoped this wasn’t one of those times. But maybe Jess will never be ready for love. I can’t blame her for that after what her late husband put her through.
I don’t answer Lucas since I’m not in the mood to put words to what I’m thinking. So I just shrug and stand. “I’m up for a game of pool. Who wants to join me?”
Garrett and Lucas grab their beer and join me at the pool tables. Katelyn is there with one of her friends and Olivia’s sister, Cora. Cora and Amy are playing pool together. Katelyn is watching them. All three are wearing shorts and tank tops. All three have the attention of several men sitting nearby.
Cora winks at two men, both of whom I recognize. They work for one of the logging companies in the area.
Katelyn grabs two cue sticks from the wall. “How about you and I play, Troy?” Her head tilts to the side, and she peers at me beneath long, thick lashes. She flicks her loose curls over her shoulder and flashes me a smile.
“Sure. Why not?” I take the stick from her and set up the balls.
She goes first. Both of us are decent players. I win the first game. She wins the second one.
I drain my third beer and go to order a fourth one, even though I probably shouldn’t drink anymore. I need to be at the job site early tomorrow because I have PT in the afternoon with Lucas.
I return to the pool table with my drink as Katelyn sets up for another game.
“Garrett and I are heading out,” Lucas says a short time later. “You want a ride home?”
“I’m going to stick around for one more game.” I take a long draw of my beer.
Lucas looks pointedly at the glass in my hand.
Katelyn pauses, setting up her next shot. “I can drop him off on my way home. I’ve only been drinking water.” She sends the green striped ball into the far pocket.
“Okay. We’ll see you tomorrow.” Lucas smacks me on the back. “Don’t worry about Jess. I’m sure you two will figure things out. You’re good together.”
“Thanks, bro.” I give him a one-arm hug. Ditto with Garrett.
They leave, and I turn to Katelyn. She has an expression on her face I don’t know how to decipher. So I don’t. “Guess it’s just you and me.”
Amy left about twenty minutes ago, and Cora is sitting at the table with the two loggers. She laughs, the sound breathlessly high, almost a giggle.
I frown. “Is she gonna be okay?”
Katelyn glances over her shoulder to their table. “She should be. She’s not drinking alcohol either. Plus, she has a black belt in karate. If anything, they’re the ones you might need to worry about.”
Cora laughs again at whatever the men are saying. They don’t look drunk, and she certainly doesn’t.
I return to focusing on my next shot.
The green ball I’m aiming to send into the far pocket seems a little blurry. I squint, align my stick with the blurry white ball, and jab it.
The white ball rolls toward the green ball…but misses it by an inch.
44
Troy
July, Present Day
Maple Ridge
* * *
