Page 24 of The Jester and His Outlaw: Part One

Foxy and J exchange pleasantries and he explains Brett isn’t playing hockey. They chat along with Brett while I sit watching my brother and Riggs talk amongst themselves like they’ve known each other for years. Maybe they have.

Although I’m noticing Riggs this year, for whatever reason—because he hates me with no motive other than I’m rich—I’ve not paid attention to him in the past. Not that I didn’t like him, it’s just we never had a reason to communicate. He minds his business, and I hang out with other rich assholes. Not my finest hour, but hey, people make mistakes.

Still, it’s obvious my brother knows him, and I can’t help but tuck that knowledge away for later. I want to ask Kai about him. How well he knows him. How long he’s known him. Are they good friends or merely acquaintances? None of that should be my concern. The guy hates me, but I can’t help it. There is something about him drawing me in.

“So, what the fuck has been up with Jonas?” Jensen asks, breaking me from my reverie.Reverie?Eh, maybe. I’m daydreaming, no denying that. My swallow helps to toss my thoughts away. I amnotdaydreaming about Riggs. Simply wondering about my brother’s connection with him.

And how far I can exploit that. It might be my only way of getting the scoop on Riggs without having to talk to him myself.

I shake my head.

“He’s pissed that I broke up with him.” I realize I’ve been staring at Riggs. Foxy notices too, and a sly grin is pulling at her cheeks. I narrow my gaze at her, daring her to say something. She will, but she’ll wait until we’re alone. Riggs, however, looks like he’s ready to give me what for.

“Youbroke up withhim?” Brett asks. He smiles like he admires me for it.

“I did. I was… not a good person while I was with him.” My brows furrow, and I bite the inside of my cheek. Across the way, Kai stiffens and sighs like he’s saying, “I told you so”, and Riggs huffs a breath through his nose.Assholes.“Now he’s trying to get me to fake date him so his parents don’t find out we aren’t together. I keep refusing him, but he doesn’t get it. Keeps trying to stake his claim over me.”

Riggs is watching me, but I can’t read his face. It’s a blank slate.

“What a dick,” Jensen muses. “If you need me to intervene, let me know.”

Riggs’ expression tightens. I’m not sure he likes his friend getting involved. He knows the weight of what it means to have beef with Jonas. He can relax. While I appreciate Jensen’s offer, I would never ask for his help in dealing with Jonas. Despite how shitty Riggs thinks I am, I wouldn’t put that sort of target on his best friend’s back.

“Thank you, Jensen. I appreciate the offer.”

“Any time. That guy’s a real piece of work. Watch your back,” he adds.

“You can say that again,” Kai murmurs, and I send daggers his way. Comments from him regarding this ordeal are not required. In fact, I don’t need anyone’s. I’m too familiar with Jonas and can handle him. He’ll tire of me and move on.I hope.

“Are you gonna get back with him?” Brett shifts nervously in his seat. Before I can answer, Riggs shoots up to standing.

“I’m outta here. Foxy, thanks for the invite. It’s been fun.” He bends down from his full height to kiss my bestie on the cheek. A sweet gesture that I don’t expect him to make. I shouldn’t be jealous of their contact. The guy has problems, and he is so icy toward me. But I can’t help it. I don’t want him to like me, necessarily, but I hate the fact that he outright hates me.

“Awe, man, you’re out?” Brett grumbles.

“Yeah, I’ve had my fill for the night.” I don’t think he means to, but Riggs sends a glare my way, his expression dark.

“I’ll walk you out,” Kai offers.

“Yeah, me too.” Brett gives me a kiss on the cheek. “I’ll be right back, ‘kay? Don’t go anywhere.”

“Be right here when you get back.”Drowning in misery.I’m happy to talk to him and hate that it's the wrong time right now. I still need space.

Would Brett be one I would consider dating? After that kiss, yeah. But I only just broke up with Jonas. I can’t give myself to someone else like that right now.

“Good.” Brett lines my jaw with his thumb. A move meant to be fucking adorable, a touch that I should swoon over, but my mind sticks on Riggs’ hasty exit. Did he leave because of me and the reminder of who I was last year? What I did to his friend? Probable.

Guilt settles over me like a blanket, hot and heavy on a night like tonight. I feel bad for ruining his time here.

No screw that and screw him.

If he doesn’t like me here, he can leave. This is my best friend’s house and although I made those mistakes last year, I’ve owned up to them. I’m not that person anymore.

“Hey,” Foxy starts and moves closer, zeroing in on my mood. I’d say that she thinks I’m upset over Jonas and my past being brought up, but the silly questioning stance in her eyes has me thinking otherwise. She thinks I like Riggs, and that’s why I’m mad that he left. She needs to let that shit go. “You good, girl?”

“Yeah, Fox, I’m fine,” I dismiss her insinuations. I’m not giving that shit the time of day. Riggs may be fine as hell, but there is absolutely nothing happening there.Ever.

She turns to Jensen, and he lights up. “He’s good to drive, yeah?”

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