Page 21 of Wasted On You

“How’s that?” Taz looked surprised at his declaration.

How to explain the thing that was inside him? The thing that kept him up at night. Made him drink too much and punch holes through walls.

“Ivy and me. We’ve always had this connection. When we were younger, it was the four of us. Me, Cal, Millie Sue, and Ivy.”

He cleared his throat and sat back. “Now, Ivy and I always knew that Cal and Millie Sue had a thing, but back then the two of us were just pals. The best kind. I could tell that girl anything.” He stared at his bowl for a few seconds. “She never judged me. Always had my back. When she up and left with Bridgestone and headed to Nashville, that’s when I knew she was more than just a friend because I was more upset she was gone than I was about Cal taking off. I missed her. But I didn’t know exactly what it was we shared if that makes sense.”

“Relationships are complicated.”

“I never thought I wanted one. I liked playing the field. Getting in and out before things got serious. I liked the way my life looked. I loved my job. I loved the place I built for myself. Everything looked good. Everythingfeltgood. Then, last year Ivy and I got together one night, and things changed.” He shook his head. “I can’t stop thinking about her. Can’t stop wanting her. All those things that felt good before don’t matter. It’s like,” He winced because he knew he was going to sound like a damn fool. “She’s a piece of my puzzle. The missing piece. And this is going to sound crazy, but I know she feels the same way. She wouldn’t be so damn pissed all the time if she felt nothing.”

Mike Paul sat back in his chair. It was hard work. Being this honest. “She doesn’t belong with Lafferty. She doesn’t love him.”

“So why is she wearing his ring?”

“That’s the part I’m still trying to figure out.” Mike Paul dug into his bowl, surer than ever that his plan would work. “The only ring that should be on her finger is the one I’ve got squirreled away at home.”

The words were out before he could stop them.

Fuck. Me.

When he glanced up at Taz, the man was looking at him as if he was sporting two heads.

“You bought her a ring?”

“Not exactly,” he mumbled. “It was my grandmother’s.”

“Shit.” Taz got to his feet and reached for Mike Paul’s empty bowl. “You’re all in.”

“I am.”

“I appreciate your enthusiasm, and while I don’t know Ivy all that well and only met Lafferty last week, there are two ways this can play out. You know that, right?”

Mike Paul got to his feet. “I’m focused on the only one that makes sense, and it’s not Ivy walking down the aisle with Kip Lafferty.”

Taz scratched at the hair on his jaw and looked as if he were about to impart the kind of advice Mike Paul didn’t want to hear, so he cut him off before Taz could get any words out.

“I’ve got to go, but I’ll let you know the results of the bloodwork tomorrow. Thanks for the eats.” He headed for the door and grabbed his boots. “You and Scarlett going to the thing at the thing?”

Taz chuckled. “You mean the thing in town tomorrow night?”

Mike Paul nodded. “Charity event.”

“She mentioned something about it. You?”

“I got roped into taking part in one of the auctions.”

“Yeah? You offering up free veterinary services?”

“I wish.” Christ, he still couldn’t believe what his sister had volunteered him to do. And since he’d bailed the previous year, there was no way out for him. He didn’t elaborate. Figured Pullman would find out if he showed up. He left, shoulders hunched against the brisk wind and hopped into his truck.

Mike Paul spent the rest of his afternoon on calls, dropped off his blood samples to be couriered to the lab, and then headed back to his place. There were a bunch of vehicles parked in his lot, but he paid no attention. There were always folks coming and going during the day.

By this time, it was nearly four-thirty, and his office manager, Arlene Mathews, was just packing up. He’d known the woman most of his life, and though she could be a pain in the butt trying to mess into his personal affairs, she kept his office running smoothly, his calendar organized, and she made the best damn brownies he’d ever tasted.

“The student volunteers are feeding the animals,” Arlene said as she plopped a bright yellow wool hat onto her head. “I’d keep an eye on the one.”

“Jacob?” The kid had been in the kind of trouble that could hinder his future. He had plenty of attitude and a chip the size of Montana on his shoulder, but he was damn good with animals that needed a soft touch.

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