Page 67 of The Valentine's Bet

Yeah, I was a jerk.

I don’t know what’s wrong with me.

But I do know one thing: I need astiffdrink to deal with this.

I slide off the stool and wring out my shirt. Everyone has seemingly gone back to conversing with their dates as I weave my way through the dim-lit room.

“Parker.” A hand grabs my arm. “What happened?”

I stop, turning toward Amy, who’s looking more concerned than anything. I hold her gaze, feeling the eyes of the guy she’s with on me. “I was a jerk tonight.”

Her brows furrow, her hand still gripping my arm. “Why?”

And I don’t have an answer for her.

“Bad night, I think,” I finally say, lightening up my voice. “It happens. You know I hate this dating stuff.”

“I get that, man,” a deep voice cuts in, and I whip my head around to meet her date. “It’s way easier to avoid these stupid events... But I think I got pretty lucky tonight.” He shoots Amy a wink that makes her blush.

He’s shmoozing her.

I open my mouth to say something about it but then clamp it shut. I don’t want to get drenched for a second time tonight.

“Let’s get some coffee after this?” he offers, eyeing me eyeing him.

“Okay.” Amy beams, her focus on him.

And I walk away.

She’s into him, so who am I to stand in the way?

I always seem to get in the way. It’s time for Amy to make her own decisions. She’s never asked for my opinions. She doesn’t want them. Obviously.

I slip out of the bar, opting for somewhere else to go. I don’t even want to entertain the idea of staying and seeing where things go between Amy and Bradley—or whatever his name is.

I’ll just go home.

Except I don’t wanna go home.

My head is a wreck right now, and I don’t even know why. I got doused with water because I was staring at Amy, and I don’t even have an excuse.

I was just ...curious.

That’s it. That’s got to be all it is.

I pull out my phone, scrolling through my contacts until I get to Weston’s name. I hit the call button and lean against the brick exterior as I wait for him to pick up.

“Hey man, did you find your match made in heaven?”

“Nope. I screwed up tonight,” I say, running my hands through my hair. “Got water thrown in my face.”

“Yikes. You must’ve been acting like a real jerk.”

I glance back toward the entrance. “Something like that. What’re you up to?”

“I’m actually with Derek at Kerk Dive.” He chuckles. “You want to come chill for a while?”

“Yeah, I’ll head there.” I push off the wall and start the five-block walk.

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