I follow him into the dining room with the plates, and Finley joins us with the salad and forks.
We arrange ourselves at one end of the giant oak table, which is large enough to seat a family of eight. Jacob takes the place at the head, and Finley and I sit across from each other.
After a few minutes spent dishing out food and passing items around, a stilted silence descends.
“So, Archer.” Jacob stabs some lettuce with his fork. “Did you have a happy childhood, or are you funny?”
“Jacob!” Finley’s tone is exasperated.
“Never mind,” he continues. “I already know you aren’t that funny.”
I finish chewing a bite of chicken. “Weird. You laughed when I pretended you had an STD.”
He chuckles and points his fork at me. “That was kind of funny.”
“STD?” Finley glances back and forth between the two of us.
“Willow’s in town,” Jacob explains. “She wanted to hang out. Archer saved me from a potentially disastrous situation.”
“Willow? How is she?”
“Fine, I guess.” He shoves a bite of salad into his mouth.
“Why didn’t you want to hang out with her?”
He stops, his fork halfway to his mouth, and gives her an incredulous look. “You really have to ask?”
“I guess not.” She watches him for a few seconds before she picks up her water and takes a sip.
I really want to know, but there are undercurrents here that I can’t quite read, and I don’t want to interfere.
“Oh, before I forget.” He scratches his chin. “I need the truck tomorrow.”
“You can’t take it tomorrow. Tomorrow’s Saturday. I have class.”
“I already promised Frank I’d give him a ride to see his grandma tomorrow morning. She’s in a nursing home. I couldn’t say no.”
“We need the money, Jacob.”
“I can drop you off early before I work around here and then pick you up a little late.”
A muscle in her jaw twitches.
“I can drive you,” I interject, slicing into the tension building between them.
“That’s great. Thanks, man,” Jacob says, tossing me a smile.
Finley glares at him then points the sharp gaze at me before staring down at her plate.
I open my mouth to say something, apologize, ask what is going on, I don’t even know, but before I can say anything further, Jacob speaks.
“See? Problem solved. Besides, you’ll need me to be close to town in case any of our guests have issues, since we’re booked up this weekend.”
Finley grinds out, “Fine.” Then she picks up a roll and takes a big bite.
Jacob finishes his plate and then stands. “I’m going out. Be home later.” He takes his plate into the kitchen, and a few seconds later, the side door opens and shuts.
She sits back in her seat and looks at me. “I’m sorry about that.”