Chapter Twenty-Seven
Jade
Check out took a few minutes longer than normal, since Brian had to get his five hundred dollars back, but we were on our way sooner than our targeted nine o’clock time.
Between “the incident” last night, and talking about our exes at breakfast, things were awkwardly quiet once we got in the truck.
I tried to fill the silence by saying, “I think we should wait to get gas until we get back on the highway. I’ll probably have to pee in about an hour, anyway.”
“Sounds like a plan,” he replied dismissively without looking up from his phone.
I nodded as I racked my brain trying to think of something else to talk about.
After a few minutes of crickets, I asked, “Mind if I turn on the radio?”
“Knock yourself out.”
After hitting the power button, I commented, “Oh, you have satellite radio!”
“Doesn’t everyone these days?”
“Um, no. Some people are content with the AM/FM stations they get for free.”
Finally, he looked at me when he replied, “It sounds like some people should loosen their purse strings.”
I contemplated what kind of music I thought he would like the least, and seriously considered flipping to that station, but thought I would extend an olive branch.
“What channel do you usually listen to?”
“Depends on my mood. My go-to channels are twenty-five or six.”
I switched to twenty-five and glanced at him. “Classic rock?”
“Yeah, what’s wrong with that?”
“Nothing. I just took you for more of a country music kind of guy.”
“I like country. I usually go to Mickey’s in Charleston when I go out of town.”
“To get laid?”
Did I seriously just say that?!
I think my bluntness surprised him as much as it did me, because he opened and closed his mouth a few times before finally responding, “I guess so.”
I recognized that was none of my business, so I offered, “I usually go to Clemson,” to try and even the score.
“Hoping to run into Garrett?”
Is he jealous?
He sure was acting like it.
That surprised me.
“No. I’m just familiar with the town so it’s comfortable.”
“When was the last time?”
“Are we really gonna talk about this?”
He shrugged. “You started it.”
I sighed as I tried to remember. “Oh gosh, I’m not even sure. Like you, it’s been a while.”
Apparently that wasn’t a good enough answer because he pressed, “How long?”
I took my eyes off the road to find him scowling again.
“I don’t know. A year? I think the last time was when I went to the beach last summer. What about you?”
He didn’t answer my question, instead continued with his interrogation. “Is that why you were headed to the beach yesterday? To find someone to hook up with?”
“I mean, I wouldn’t have been opposed if the right guy had come along to scratch that itch, but no, I was just planning on having a relaxing time reading by the water, then hanging out at my BFF’s. And you didn’t answer my question.”
“I honestly don’t remember. Since before I promoted to sergeant, I do know that.”
“Wasn’t that like, two years ago?”
“Two and a half.”
“Jesus, no wonder you’re grouchy.”
****
Brian
I couldn’t help it, I laughed out loud at her dig. It was exactly what I needed to help get me out of my shitty mood that had been brought on thanks to her dream about her ex.
While she’d briefly grabbed my cock.
After I’d molested her in her sleep—but I’d conveniently tried to forget that little factoid while I’d worked myself into my grumpy state.
“I’m sorry I’m being a grouch. My leg hurts, and I’m out of pills.”
That wasn’t a lie. My leg had been killing me ever since I woke up that morning.
“You can alternate taking ibuprofen and acetaminophen to help manage your pain. I have both in my purse.” She handed me her bag. “Help yourself. They should be in the front pocket.”
“My mom instilled in me at a very early age that you don’t get into a woman’s purse. Just the thought of opening yours is making my palms sweat. I can wait until we stop.”
“Your mother raised you right. But honestly, I don’t mind. I don’t have any secrets in it. You need to get something in your system sooner rather than later.” She nudged her bag at me. “Inside front pocket.”
When I didn’t take it right away, she reminded me, “Circle of trust, remember?”
Yeah, I violated that hours ago.
Shit, I might as well go for broke.
I reached for her purse and opened it, surprised at how organized it was compared to what my mom’s had usually looked like. After unzipping the pocket she mentioned, I pulled out two travel-size bottles of pain reliever.
“I’ll buy you more when we go grocery shopping later.”
“They’re two-dollar pill bottles, Bri. I think I can swing it.”
I shook the bottles at her—one in each hand. “Which should I start with?”
“Since you just ate, I’d start with four ibuprofen tablets, then in three or four hours, you can take the acetaminophen.”
I took out the pills and tossed them in my mouth, then reached for the water bottle in the cup holder.
“I don’t know what I’d do without you, Sunshine. Thanks again for coming with me.”
She gave me a tender smile. “Of course, Bri. It’s going to be fun.”
Famous last words.