Well, not really a long story. It’s a triple dare. That’s a long story.
While he shakes his ass like his life depends on it, Maverick comes through with a train following behind him like he’s the conductor, and they start spinning a circle around Corbin. Poor Corbin.
I almost feel sorry for him. Especially when Ruby howls like he’s the full moon, and numerous others howl at him too.
And I thought I was weird.
The song finally ends, and Ruby goes to kiss Corbin’s scowling face. My eyes move over to the door as if gravity demands it, and my entire body tenses when I see who is walking in.
Dustin and Jax slap hands with some guys near the bar, and I watch, no longer dancing, as Jax moves toward a table over to the side where Viv and a few girls are waiting with Cody.
Jax’s long, jean-clad legs eat up the distance with smooth grace, and women do a double take as he walks by. His black T-shirt hugs him in just the right way, and he’s wearing a black hat backwards that for some reason only makes him sexier.
He props up on the high table instead of sitting down, leaning against it with his back to me, and I continue to watch as one of the girls moves to the chair beside him.
He looks over at her briefly before returning his attention to his sister. Dustin joins them with two beers in his hands, handing one to Jax, while Cody sits with his arm idly around one of the girls.
Dustin sidles up next to Viv and tosses his arm around her chair while sitting down beside her. Jax continues to keep his back to me, while the girl beside him starts tracing the tattoo down his arm with her fingertips.
Jealousy has a distinct and bitter taste, and I almost feel like I need to wash my mouth out. So, I chug the rest of my glass of whatever I’m drinking, ignoring the strong burn.
Ruby walks over with a fresh glass, as though she has perfect timing, and follows my gaze to the table where Jax is reaching over—with the arm the girl was touching—and handing his phone to Dustin for some reason. A passing waitress grabs my empty glass, while I start drinking down the new glass Ruby brought me.
The girl is practically pushing herself against him now.
“He’s not flirting with her,” Ruby says, nudging me in the side with her elbow.
“Doesn’t matter,” I lie, forcing a smile. “We’re not together,” I remind her. Well, it’s more to remind myself than her.
“It’s clear that she’s into him but he’s not into her.”
It doesn’t matter. It doesn’t matter. It doesn’t matter.
Being the childish, jealous brat I am in the moment, I slip my phone out of my purse that is hanging across me, and send him a text.
ME: Can’t do lunch tomorrow. You’re free now.
Dustin’s smile drops, and he frowns while handing Jax his phone back. I continue watching as he reads the text, waiting to see what happens when he realizes he’s free to do whatever he wants to do.
I can’t see his face, but he does send me a text back, while the girl presses closer, looking over at his phone to see what he’s texting.
JAX: Don’t want to be free, so I’ll see you at eleven. I have a ‘no cancellation’ policy.
Damn him. He’s texting me like it’s not a big deal that some other girl is pressed against his side.
ME: I was wrong about being friends.
Viv looks across the table about the time I press send, and her eyes collide with mine despite the throngs of people all around me. Her smile wavers, and her eyes flick from Jax to the girl who is glued against his side back to me.
I only break eye contact when my phone buzzes again.
JAX: Still picking you up. I’ll change your mind. I’m a damn good friend to have.
Unable to help myself, I blow out a breath and send the last text to him that I ever will.
ME: No. We can’t be friends.
I watch as his shoulders tense, and he subtly pushes the girl off him before pulling his hat off and tossing it to the table. When he runs a frustrated hand through his hair, my eyes drift back to Viv, who is still watching me with an expressionless face.