Shock filtered into his expression.
She ignored the tears stinging her eyelids and took a step toward the door. “Don’t worry. I’m sure I’ll get over it, just like the last time.”
“Bree—”
“And I’m probably doing both of us a favor when I say that it’s over. Thanks for a fun week, Jake, but we’re done now.”
His uncertain gaze swept over her, and then he gave a brisk nod. “Yeah. That’s probably a damn good idea, sweetheart.”
As Bree watched, he stalked toward his pickup, started the engine, and drove away.
Chapter Ten
Jake had just swallowed his third shot of whiskey when a shadow loomed over his table. Make that two shadows. Cooper Grady wasn’t alone; his trusty sidekick Wyatt flanked him, and both men eyed Jake warily as they hovered over him like a pair of vultures.
Everyone else in the bar seemed oblivious to Jake’s turbulent mood. He’d chosen to drown his sorrows at the Lodge tonight, mostly because he feared he’d pick a fight with Austin if he went to Bishop’s Corner, but now he regretted his decision not to wallow in private. The Saturday night crowd filled the tables scattering the Lodge’s main room, every bar stool was occupied, and the jukebox was blasting out a Garth Brooks tune that had several people clapping and singing along. Half the town was in attendance tonight, yet there wasn’t a single person Jake could commiserate with. Bree was right—he had distanced himself from the people of Paradise. Shunned them before they could shun him, the way they’d shunned his father.
“How’s it going, Bishop?” Cooper asked, his black eyes focusing on the three empty shot glasses on the tabletop then moving to the five full ones Jake had yet to consume.
“Bad night?” Wyatt Killington added.
“Something like that,” Jake mumbled.
“Mind if we join you?”
Jake swept a hand over the empty chairs. “Have at it.”
The two men sat down, ordered a couple of beers from the passing waitress, and continued to eye Jake as if they thought he might pounce on them at any second.
Which wasn’t all that farfetched. He was itching for a fight, but at the same time, loath to start any trouble. He’d already caused a doozy of a scene back at the Lockharts.
Fuck. He’d really messed up.
He’d really, really messed up.
But who could blame him? Bree’s parents were the nastiest people he’d ever met. They’d spent the entire evening insulting him. Baiting him. Treating him like a wad of dirty gum they’d had the misfortune of stepping on.
You shouldn’t have taken the bait, man.
Jake tossed back his next shot. The alcohol burned a fiery trail down to his gut, joining the knots of regret twisting his insides.
Bree was right. He was a hothead. He’d let his anger get the best of him, and as a result, he’d embarrassed Bree in front of her family. He didn’t regret snapping at Bree’s parents—after the way they’d behaved, telling them to fuck off had been downright polite compared to what he’d really wanted to say to them.
But telling them about his and Bree’s sexual past, pretty much insinuating that their daughter had been a slut? That was definitely crossing the line, and he didn’t blame Bree for reacting the way she had.
“What’s going on, Bishop?”
He lifted his head at the sound of Cooper’s raspy voice. “Nothing,” he muttered.
Cooper glanced at the shot glasses littering the table. “Doesn’t look like nothing.”
“Like I said, bad night.” He downed another mouthful of whiskey, then lost steam and gestured to the remaining shot glasses. “Have a drink, boys.”
Without delay, Cooper slugged back two of the shots, then fixed Jake with a rueful smile. “I’m having a bad night myself.”
“Why’s that?”
“Coop’s got lady trouble,” Wyatt spoke up with a grin. “And see, I’d really like to help him out, except he won’t say a damn word about it.” He slanted his head. “So ’fess up, man, who’s the mysterious chick that’s got your panties all twisted up?”
Cooper grunted out a noncommittal sound. “No one you know.”
Jake pretended not to notice the twinge of pain in the other man’s eyes. Hell, he could relate. Lady trouble was apparently the theme of the night.
At least Cooper had a handle on the shit he was feeling. The guy had flat out admitted to being in love with Lexie Price. Jake, on the other hand, had no clue how he felt about the woman who was tying him up in knots.
I can’t believe I thought I was actually falling in love with you again.