Page 68 of The Valentine's Bet

“You’re leaving Amy?”

“Yeah, I don’t think she needs me. She already agreed to a coffee date with her match. He seems like a jerk, but she’s gotta work that out herself. I can’t protect her from it every time.”

“I don’t think she’s ever asked you to.”

He’s right. And I’m not usually one to meddle in other people’s business.

“I’ll be there in a few minutes.” I hang up and shove the phone back into my pocket. I know I should’ve paid more attention to Alice tonight...

But I’m always trying to look out for Amy.

I quicken my footsteps, the chill in the air making my wet shirt feel icy against my chest. By the time I make it to the bar, I’m shivering under my coat, and I push through the stale smell of smoke, welcoming the warmth that comes with it.

“Hey, man!” Weston waves at me from the back, sitting next to Derek.

I give them a nod and weave through the crowd to get to them. “Hey.”

“We got you a drink.” Derek nods to the glass sitting in front of the empty seat. “Weston said you sounded like you needed one.”

“Yeah, I definitely do,” I grab it and down the liquid, welcoming the burn that comes with it, setting a fire in my stomach.

“Oh boy.” Weston eyes me. “You must not be having a good night. That’s the only time you can down a drink like that.”

“Nah, I’m good.” I hand the empty glass to a waitress.

“You want another?”

“Yeah,” I say without any hesitation. “And make this one a double, please.”

“No problem.” She gives me a flirty smile.

I ignore it and turn back to Derek and Weston. “I hate dating.”

“Me, too,” Weston grumbles. “I keep hoping that I’m going to make something happen one of these days ... never works out.”

“What about Brittany?” Derek asks.

I shoot him a glare at the mention of my sister. “That’s a hard no.”

“Why?”

“Because she’s mysister. That’s just freaking weird.”

“He’s got a point,” Weston says. “I’ve known her forever, too, and yeah, I think I’ll probablyalwayshave a crush on her... But... I don’t know. She’s going through things, anyway.”

“No kidding,” I say with a grunt as the waitress sets my new drink in front of me. I swoop it up, but just sip this time. “I think I’ll be the happiest if I stay a bachelor for the rest of my life.”

“You know,” Derek begins, stroking the dark stubble on his face, “that sounds great and all, but you say that so often, I’m starting to think it might just be a front.”

I snort. “It’s not a front.”

“Okay.” Derek’s voice is full of disbelief. “Whatever you say.”

My eyes drift around the bar as I try to decipher what’s going on with me. I mean, I’m always a little dry, but right now ... I feel ... bitter. My mind flickers to Amy, her eyes starry-eyed and focused on Brad, or whatever his name is.

Am I jealous?

The thought is unwanted. So I push it away.

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