7. Seven #2
“Now I’m even more glad we get to do this tonight.
Life hasn’t been the same without you,” I admit, pleased with the way her hazel eyes sparkle under my praise.
God, she really is beautiful. I offer her a warm smile and marvel at the way her cheeks flush.
I haven’t been able to draw that kind of reaction out of a woman since—well, her.
Carter chooses that moment to pop our intimate bubble, all but falling into my lap as he motions for a passing server to bring two more cold ones.
Megan takes a seat beside Tessa and glares at me through narrowed eyes .
“You’re not cheating, are you?” She turns to her best friend. “I’m trusting you to keep an eye on this one and stay neutral. Tonight, you’re fucking Switzerland. Are we clear?”
I shake my head, giving Carter a look. The one that says his wife is a pain in my ass.
His shrug suggests he doesn’t care one way or another, and even if he did, there’s little he can do about it.
We all know who wears the pants in that relationship, and Carter seems pretty content with the way things are.
These two have been together nine years but still act like love-sick fools.
I’ll never admit it, but I envy them sometimes.
“Jake is on his third beer and still going strong,” Tessa announces. “There are one hundred and four minutes left in the game, and so far, it looks like it’s going to be a close call.”
“O ye of little faith,” I scoff, and Tessa giggles when I throw her a wink.
We banter back and forth for the next half hour or so, and it almost feels like no time has passed since we were teens.
Not a care in the world and laughing so hard that Megan complains about a cramp in her side.
We dance and mingle before eventually finding ourselves back at the bar to order round number six.
I take stock of Carter’s mannerisms, disappointed to notice he still appears rock solid, but the game isn’t over until it’s over.
Tessa is standing on her toes, leaning into me, and shouting something that makes me bark out a laugh when a voice I recognize causes my blood to boil .
“Teresa Davidson. Haven’t seen you since high school.
What a coincidence.” Tessa freezes, looking up at me with wide, uncertain eyes, like she’s unsure whether she should even acknowledge the slimy weasel at her back.
When my expression doesn’t give her the answer she’s searching for, she slowly turns with a polite smile that looks painted on.
“Shane,” she greets in a high-pitched voice that doesn’t sound like hers. “What are you doing here? I thought you lived somewhere in Iowa now.”
“Keeping tabs on me, are you?” he chuckles, looking her up and down like he remembers every square inch of her body.
My nails bite into the fleshy part of my palms, and I grind my molars so hard my jaw aches.
The urge to drop that fucker where he stands is almost unbearable.
I haven’t laid eyes on Shane Cooper in over two years.
Last I heard, he’s a car salesman, married with a kid or two.
He comes home to visit his parents every now and then, like a good ol’ boy, but he never brings his family along.
The years haven’t been kind to him, and that feels better than it should.
I take in his sweaty face and the doughy gut that spills over the top edge of his belt.
He’s wearing a black button-up and matching jeans.
A pair of shiny cowboy boots decorate his feet, and I bet my left nut they never even saw a speck of dirt. A poor man’s Johnny Cash .
“Cooper,” I bark louder than necessary, rudely inserting myself into this heart-warming reunion.
“Fancy seeing you here. Where’s the missus?
She embarrassed to be seen with you or something?
” I flash him a wide grin, and Tessa visibly cringes at my ill-mannered inquiry.
I don’t feel bad. The guy’s a piece of shit and deserves to be treated as such.
Shane jerks his head in my direction and has the nerve to act surprised, like he hasn’t noticed me standing there in the first place.
“Jake Nelson. Didn’t even see you there.” I roll my eyes at his predictability, taking another pull from my bottle to hide my irritation. “You guys back together?” He throws Tessa a questioning look, once again ignoring my existence. I don’t fucking think so.
“None of your business,” I snap before she can answer. His hands shoot up, and he takes a cautious step back. “Whoa, buddy. Cool your jets. I didn’t mean to step on anyone’s toes. Apologies if my question made you uncomfortable.”
“The only thing making me uncomfortable is the way that shirt strains across your gut. That middle button is hanging on for dear life, and I’d rather not lose an eye tonight.”
“Jake,” Tessa gasps, pinning me with a stern look as Shane’s face turns a satisfying shade of red.
“Is that really how you wanna play this, Nelson?” he asks through clenched teeth, stepping forward and closing the gap between us.
I straighten, anticipation buzzing through my veins.
I haven’t gotten into a physical altercation in years, the last time being back when I kicked Shane’s ass and ended up in Sheriff Payton’s tender care.
There’s no doubt in my mind I can take him, and my hands twitch at the prospect of finally getting the payback I’m due.
“Why so angry, Jake? Are you so insecure you can’t even allow her to talk to me without throwing a tantrum like a two-year-old? What went down between Teresa and I happened a long time ago. I’m a married man now. There really is no need for petty jealousy.”
I snort. “You smug fuck. You just had to go there, didn’t you?
What happened between the two of you never would’ve happened if you hadn’t manipulated her into it.
You took advantage of her during a vulnerable moment, and you got lucky.
Not exactly something you should go around bragging about, Shane.
” I say his name in a way that doesn’t hide my distaste and make sure he’s looking me in the eye for this next part.
“Embarrassing her by mentioning her momentary lapse of judgment just to get a rise out of me is not only disrespectful, but pathetic. You’re a sleazy little turd, and you deserve to get your ass kicked. ”
“Oh yeah? And are you volunteering for the job?” Shane goads, fully encroaching on my personal space now .
“I’d fucking love to, Cooper. Follow me out back, and we can settle this thing right now.” I do my best to appear unruffled, but on the inside, I’m vibrating with a violent need.
“You can’t be serious.” Tessa’s bewildered squeal lands in what little space remains between us. Megan and Carter move closer, having picked up on the crackling tension.
“What’s going on?” Megan looks to Tessa for an explanation, who simply rolls her eyes, clearly annoyed by our posturing. “Taking part in one big-dick-contest doesn’t seem enough for Jake tonight, so he’s decided to take Shane out back to have an actual fistfight.”
“You need any help with that?” Carter manages to get out just before his entire body gets rocked by a violent hiccup.
“No thanks, man. I’m confident I can handle this little maggot all on my own.” Draining the remainder of my beer, I place the empty bottle on the bar. “Let’s go,” I snap with a jerk of my chin. Shane never breaks eye contact, blowing up his chest like a peacock.
“Lead the way.”
“This can’t be happening. Is no one going to stop this?” Tessa’s frantic gaze pinballs between every single person in our group, waiting for someone to step up and see reason. Newsflash. It won’t be me .
“Just doing what I should’ve done years ago,” I point out and turn away, heading for the back door of the building.
I haven’t even taken two steps when a delicate hand snakes around my wrist and clamps down with surprising strength.
Tessa steps around me and blocks my way, her blazing gaze boring into mine with the intensity of a thousand suns.
“I swear to God, Jake. If you step out that door and start throwing hands like some uncivilized ape, I’m leaving.
I thought we were past this high school bullshit.
Have you learned nothing?” Her eyes are all but pleading with me to be the bigger man, and as much as I hate to admit it, I know she’s right .
What the hell am I doing ? I know better than to let the likes of him get to me.
“You’ve had a few drinks, which makes this seem like a great idea right now, but I promise you, you’ll regret it come morning.
Please,” she urges, placing her hands on my chest and soothing me in a way no one else can. “He’s not worth it.”
“Listen to the little lady, Jake. I’d probably just kick your ass again, anyway.”
My lips twist into a cruel smile, and I open my mouth to speak, but Tessa beats me to it.
“Would you shut the fuck up, Shane?” she spits, rounding on the other man with furious eyes.
“I suggest you quit provoking him if you want to keep your teeth. I only have so much influence over him, and I can assure you this is not a fight you can win. I hate to break it to you, but you aren’t in the best shape.
” I chuckle, crossing my arms over my chest and smirking at Shane, who’s visibly shaking with anger.
“You didn’t seem to have an issue with my physique when I had you pinned beneath me,” he leers.
Tessa’s eyes pop wide, mouth agape like she can’t believe the gall of him.
That’s all it takes for me to lose my shit all over again.
I have him by the collar of his shirt before he has time to react, pulling him in so close our noses almost touch.
“Watch your fucking mouth,” I snarl, feeling absolutely feral. “One more remark like that, and I’ll rip your arms from their sockets and beat you with your detached limbs.”