Page 49 of Blood
“Or she wanted a drink.”
“Or that,” I agree, toasting my mostly empty glass toward Cooper.
“Take a hike, Jasper.”
“The lady and I were talking.” Jasper huffs.
“Really? Because to me, it looked like you sat with her, and she was ignoring you.”
Jasper looks between us but eventually gets up, knocking into the chair next to him. Sloppy and drunk.
“Thanks.” I smile at Cooper.
“Don’t thank me yet,” he replies, holding his arm high to get the server’s attention. Once he has it, Cooper signals that we want two more beers.
He sits in Jasper’s vacated seat; an awkward silence settles.
“How have you been?” I ask.
“Better,” he answers, his eyes watching the server.
“I’m sorry about you losing your job.”
Cooper shrugs. “It’s been a few years. I’m over it.”
“We haven’t exactly spoken since.”
I feel him before I see him. Goose pimples spread over my body, my nipples bead, and the hair on the nape of my neck tingles.
Kaleb’s here.
My eyes drift around the bar. He’s at the doorway, and he’s furious.
I look behind me to see what he’s glaring at, but it’s just the usual—people drinking, dancing, and being too much.
I turn back to face Kaleb.
He’s walking toward me. My chest rises and falls quickly, my little black dress suddenly feeling restrictive and tight on my chest.
Where has all the air gone?
Kyle sneers when Kaleb comes to a stop next to our table. But he doesn’t look at Cooper. His eyes haven’t left me.
Of all the shit I’ve pulled over the years, Kaleb has never looked at me with such rage. Not even when I totaled his car.
Normally, I’d enjoy seeing him this riled, and thrive in having his full attention, but I don’t feel the usual satisfaction. Mainly because I don’t know what I did wrong.
“You have to be fucking joking.”
I look around again just to be sure he’s talking to me. Yep.
“Have you lost your fucking mind?” Kaleb hisses.
“Hey, now. The lady can do what she wants,” Cooper states, starting to stand from his chair.
That gets Kaleb’s attention.
“Sit back down before I make you.”
