Page 24 of Barrett

“What are you grumbling about?” Reghan asked. Fuck. I didn’t realize I was letting some of that out. I thought it was in my head.

“Just thinking about work.” If I started in with my attitude, whether it was irritation at having to be in this situation with him or my mask of cockiness or whatever he called it, Reghan would get pissed. We had a whole day in front of us. Dealing with anger off the bat wouldn’t get us anywhere.

“This wasn’t my idea, you know.”

“Yeah, Jordan made it clear he wanted us working together.”

“Not many see him as a man who actually cares," Reghan said. "They think the money he donates, the interest he takes in the citizens, is all for show. It’s not.”

“You don’t have to sell me on him. I get it. He’s a fucking asshole when he wants to be, but he isn’t all terrible. If he were, Vail wouldn’t be with him.”

“No, he wouldn’t. That man is sunshine inside and out.”

I tipped my head back and closed my eyes. It was easier than letting them drift toward Reghan and staring at how his muscles stretched the cotton of his long-sleeved shirt. “I’ve gathered that from the times I’ve met him. Hartley’s a smart-ass though.”

“Reminds me of someone else I know.”

I couldn’t resist and rolled my head toward him. My eyes opened in time to catch the hint of a smile at the corner of his lips. I couldn’t fight the grin blooming on my own.

Reghan turned to see it before I could lock it down. I quickly closed my eyes and faced away from him again.

Sighing, he said, “Answer me this if you want. We have to spend the day together either way. I can’t figure out what about me you can’t stand so much. You get turned on; there’s no question about that. Seriously though, why all the hate?”

The lie was there on the tip of my tongue. I could say how much I couldn’t stand him. How I fucked with him because it was fun, nothing more, and my body’s reaction was a natural response. For some reason, I didn’t want to. Whether it was because we were stuck in the car, or because I was scared for the men in the city and my brother, or because I was so fucking tired of always being on.

Marshall needed me, which meant I had to work my ass off so he didn’t have to. East Dremest needed me because I was a damn good detective. I went above and beyond for people in the city. As much as that job made me want to throw shit at times, I enjoyed helping people. Then there was Jordan and the assistance I could provide him. Sure, he had cops on his payroll, but none of them had known Jordan as long as I had or struck up the… friendship wasn’t the right word... whatever I had with him. Jordan and I had an understanding. That didn’t mean we had to like each other.

“I’ll take your nonanswer as an answer,” Reghan stated.

I didn’t look at him when I spoke. Instead, I focused on the vehicles on the highway. “I don’t hate you.”

“Then what is it?

“You’re the first man in a long time who’s had me thinking of myself and not keeping my focus on my job and the money I have to make.”

“Are you in debt or trouble?”

“Neither. I need to have a cushion. A big one if I can. If something happens to me…”

“Are you married?”

My head snapped around to stare at him. “No! What the hell gave you that idea? Why would I openly tease you if I were married?”

“I don’t know, Bear! I have no fucking clue about you! All I get when I ask you anything is a wall put up because, god forbid, I’m worth enough to want you to open up to.”

We were still on this? He didn’t think he was worthy in my eyes when I knew it was the other way around. Jesus, how shitty of a person was I to him? “How do you not hate me?”

“Why the hell would I?”

“I’m a dick to you all the time. I constantly push and push until you have no choice but to get in my face.”

“You don’t think I know that? It’s a game, Bear. Every damn time I see you. I get so fucking irritated, but it’s an instant reaction. At least it was until I saw you in the café.” Of course, he’d bring that up. That day I showed another emotion besides what I usually gave Reghan.

“A man was killed by a drunk driver in front of his home, and I was on scene right after it happened. His wife saw his body on the road. They were older, married for a long time, with grown kids. I was in the café because I couldn’t go home yet.”

He glanced at me quickly before his eyes returned to the road. We were slowing down for construction. It was a common occurrence on this highway. “Why didn’t you say that?”

“And lay my heart on the table for you to crush or mock?”

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