Page 270 of Sin Bin

Jess grinned at her empty glass, then slapped her hand on the bar. “Another mojito for me and my girl!”

The bartender winked at her. “Sure thing, gorgeous.”

Meadow glanced in the direction of the bathrooms. “Should we go check on Emily? She’s been gone a while.”

Jess gave an unconcerned shrug. “I told you she would be.”

Meadow frowned. “What if something happened—”

“Nothing happened to her. She’s fine. Stop stressing.”

“Let me go make sure—”

“Oh, for fuck’s sake!” Jess grabbed her arm before she could slide off her stool. “I’ll text her to see if she’s okay. Will that put your mind at ease?”

Meadow nodded.

Huffing in exasperation, Jess picked up her phone and shot off a quick text to Emily. When the bartender brought their fresh drinks, she winked and blew him a kiss. He actually blushed like a schoolboy. The woman was dangerous.

When her phone pinged, she glanced down at the screen and laughed. “Told you!” She triumphantly held up the phone so Meadow could see Emily’s text: Dealing with the fuckboy. Be out soon.

Jess smirked at Meadow. “Happy now?”

She nodded.

“Good. Now stop being such a mother hen!”

“Sorry,” Meadow mumbled sheepishly, reaching for her drink. “I was a social worker. I’m hardwired to care and nurture.”

“Well, you’re not a social worker anymore so stop giving a fuck!” Jess picked up her mojito. “Here’s to us—hell hath no fury like two bitches scorned!” She tapped her glass against Meadow’s and tossed back half her drink.

Meadow did the same, hoping the alcohol would numb her pain. When her glass was empty, she didn’t object when Jess ordered her another mojito.

The next time her phone buzzed against her hip, she ignored it and glanced over at Jess, who suddenly looked pensive.

“I think he’s going to break up with me.”

Meadow stared at her through a haze of rum and misery. “Why do you think that?”

“We had an argument,” Jess said glumly.

“About what?”

Jess frowned, tracing the rim of her glass with a manicured finger. “Before the boys left for Winnipeg, Dubs and I were hanging out at his house. While he ran out to pick up some food, my mom called. She’s always lecturing me about snagging a rich man, so naturally she’s thrilled about me dating a professional athlete. Of course, she can’t just be happy for me the way Nadia and Scarlett’s moms are happy for them,” Jess grumbled bitterly. “She’s constantly nagging me about my relationship and offering unsolicited advice. She’s super critical of everything I say and do, and she swears I’m going to screw things up and lose Dubs to another woman. When she called that day and started one of her annoying lectures, I wasn’t in the mood for it. I just wanted to get her off my fucking back, so I said sarcastically, ‘Don’t worry, Mother. I’m definitely securing the bag. I’ve got him totally pussy-whipped just the way you taught me.’ Before she could say a word, I hung up on her, and it felt damn good.” She grimaced. “Unfortunately, Dubs overheard everything I said.”

Meadow cringed. “Yikes.”

“I know,” Jess wailed miserably. “He was so hurt and angry, Meadow. He called me a gold digger and accused me of using him for his money. I told him it wasn’t like that at all, but he didn’t believe me. He told me to pack my stuff and go home until he’s ready to see me again. And that was the last time we spoke.”

“Damn,” Meadow said sympathetically. “I’m really sorry that happened.”

“So am I.” Jess stared broodingly into her glass. “The worst part is…I think I’m falling for him. I never thought I’d say that, but it’s true. He’s not as rich or gorgeous as Viggo, Reid, Logan or Hunter. He’s not the star of the team, the face of the franchise. And you know what? I don’t care anymore. We have so much fun together and he makes me laugh. He gets me like no one else, and he’s seriously the best lover I’ve ever had. If he breaks up with me…” She trailed off, looking even more miserable.

“Maybe you should try talking to him again,” Meadow gently suggested. “Did you tell him why you said those things to your mom? Does he know about your complicated relationship with her?”

“He does, but it didn’t matter. He was all up in his feelings, and there was nothing I could say to change that.” Jess swigged her drink, set her glass down and sighed piteously. “I guess I shouldn’t be too surprised that he went to the party. He was pissed off and trying to get back at me.” She glanced sideways at Meadow. “The real question is, what was Logan doing there?”

Meadow didn’t have an answer. Which was deeply troubling.

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