Page 65 of Love and Other Trials
His friend’s mouth tightened, realizing it. “Look, man, her mother said some things I would hit a man for, and it really pushed Tiff over the edge.”
Dax was waiting for the punch line.
Rob took an almost bullish stance, feet planted wide, fists at his side. “About last night… I know you think you saw something, but Tiff was only talking to an old friend.”
Dax rolled his tongue over his teeth. So that’s how it was going to be. Fuck. “He’s her ex-boyfriend, Rob.”
“Emphasis on theexpart.” Rob’s tone was as harsh as he’d ever heard it. “Look, like I said, he’s a friend, and someone Tiff feels she can talk to. I was passed out last night since Tiff being so upset really bothered me, and it’s not like I could run down Stormy and give her a piece of my mind. You know how I get. My temper isn’t my best side, that’s for damn sure.”
He could feel himself grinding his teeth. “Jesus, Rob. Are you serious right now? You drinking and passing out justifies your fiancée seeking out an old flame? Come on, man.”
Rob stepped closer until their heads were inches apart. Like he was about to dress him down. “Hey! Stop this. I believe her, okay?”
Dax took a step back and crossed his hands over his chest, reminding himself not to lose it. “Why?”
Rob exploded into action, punching a finger into Dax’s chest. “Because I want to, dammit!” He stalked away in a flurry of anger, crunching shells under his feet. “Because I understand why she might be acting out, and I want to be a good husband and a good father. I need to believe in the woman I love. In the woman I’m marrying, Dax.”
The emotion in his voice caught Dax by surprise. “Rob?—”
“No!” His shout caused the gulls to shriek and Dax’s insides to further tighten. “This stops right now. I know you saw what you saw, but your conclusions were wrong. Dead wrong.”
He couldn’t believe what he was hearing. “That’s it? I’m supposed to pretend I don’t know how to read situations like the one in that bar last night? That I don’t know my fucking best friend? Something isn’t right with you, and you’re asking me to do what? Bury this? Jesus Christ, man. You’re kidding, right?”
“Dax, I want you to bury this.” There was a plea in his friend’s eyes, one that left Dax raw, because they both knew what it cost him: his pride.
“How can you ask that of me? I’ve been your wingman since we were eighteen! I know you. It’s my duty?—”
Rob threw his hands out. “Fuck duty, man. I’m asking you to bury this. Right now. Weneverspeak about this again.”
Dax let out a harsh breath, pressing his hands to his eye sockets. “You know this is the second time you’ve asked me that in the space of a few days. Man, you are not in your right mind.”
Rob was in his face instantly, shoving him back. “That’s enough. I’m fine. I’m more than fine. I’m in love, dammit. Something you don’t know anything about. And I’m doing what I think is right here.”
His usually iron-clad stomach somersaulted in his gut. “So am I.”
They faced each other across the expanse of the beach as the tides crashed. Dax wanted to haul his friend into the ocean in the hopes a slap of cold water to the face would snap him out of whatever delusion he was in. But he couldn’t. Even he knew that would be going too far. Rob was dug in, and when he turned stubborn, there was no reasoning with him.
“Fine.” He knew his voice carried and was past caring. “But you get what you get. I am not going to pick up the pieces like I did with Erin.”
“I knew you were going to bring that up again!” Rob stalked over to him and shoved him back. “You’re like a broken record. I told you that was done.”
And yet here they were again.
“I know! I helped you getitdone. Dammit, Rob, when Erin cheated on you, you lost your shit. You almost blew your exams because you were so upset. I had to sober you up and practically pour coffee down you to get you to class?—”
“Tiff wouldn’t cheat on me,” he ground out through clenched teeth.
“How do you know?”
Rob dug his toe into the sand and stared him down. “I just know, okay? Stop asking me so many damn questions. I said I’m cool with what happened. Becausenothinghappened. She didn’t even kiss the guy. They just talked.”
He’d waited until the last moment, hoping he wouldn’t have to do it, but Rob didn’t budge. “I took a photo of them together last night so you could see it for yourself.”
His friend grabbed his hand when he reached for his phone. “I don’t need to see it, and I want you to delete it right now.”
Dax ripped his hand free. “Rob, for God’s sake. Take a look. It was cozy?—”
“Enough!” he bellowed, giving him another hard shove. “This is the kind of thing you see good officers do when they’re on TDY all the time. Talk with a girl at a bar. Trade some secrets. Because you’re lonely. No. Big. Deal. Hell, I’ll probably be doing something like this at some point. It happens.”
