Page 75 of The Jester and His Outlaw: Part One

“Well, she’s one lucky little lady. I hope one day you’ll tell me about her. To snag someone as good lookin’ as you, she must be a looker. I could give her a few pointers on how to keep you happy.” I stifle my chuckle, totally used to how she talks when she’s drunk. Kai takes it in stride and stands taller.

“I’m sure Foxy would love that, ma’am.”

“Foxy!” she exclaims. “Now that’s a name if I’ve ever heard one. She’s a pistol, I bet, huh?”

“That she sure is,” Jensen muses, and by the sound of his voice, I can tell he’s locked himself away in his own bubble, thinking about Foxy. He gets that way from time to time.

Gramma doesn’t let his comment pass. Jensen and Kai share a conspiratorial look.Uh oh.How are they going to explain that one?

“I’ve read about that before,” she states.

“Read about what, old lady?”

“I think it’s called a menage or something. It’s in those slutty books… no, not slutty. What’s the word I’m looking for?” She glances between all of us and, like the guys we are, we stand there stunned. An attempt to snap her dry fingers together when she figures it out falls flat. It sounds more like she’s rubbing them together. “Smut… it’s in those smutty books. Those romances with that handsome Fabio on the cover. Boys, don’t I love those books. So you and him are with the same girl?” Damn, she’s perceptive for a drunk woman. “I like it.”

“Thanks for your blessing, Gramma. It means the world.”

“I wish everyone felt that way,” Kai adds. They both sound sad, almost regretful, but there is a spark in their eyes as well. They’re going to be fine, but I don’t think it’s going to be easy.

“You tell those hatin’ bastards right where they can shove it, boys, life is too short. If she makes you happy, then go for it.”

“Thank you,” they both say, and Gramma gives them a tired smile. I’m surprised she’s still awake, she’s had so much alcohol.

“Sit down, boys. Let me tell you a story.” Seeking my approval, they shrug and pull themselves all the way into the room. J sits opposite me on the bed and Kai swoops in to sit in the armchair she has. After the pizza is passed out and Gramma is nibbling on her slice, she talks again. “Have I ever told you about the time I peed in a long-neck bottle, Riggsy?”

CHAPTER35

I bummed Brett out,but he understood and made it clear that he wanted to be a part of my life, regardless. I guess I get to have my cake and eat it too, because I’m not ready to let go of his friendship.

Me telling him the truth helped. I didn’t feed him some bullshit about not wanting to be in a relationship like I was trying to hide my feelings behind it. Honesty is the best policy, so I told him that there is someone else I’m interested in. It broke my heart to shut him down, but he took it well, hugged me, then we went to get ice cream. Probably later than I should’ve stayed out with him after breaking things off, but it was cathartic for both of us.

Riggs didn’t mention it when I called him. I was the one who had to bring it up, and I did only because I needed him to understand Brett isn’t a factor in whatever we have going on between us. There was a brief explanation about me ending things before we moved on to other topics such as Jonas.

Jonas is a huge trigger for him and I can understand that after everything with Sam. Reassuring him that nothing was happening with Jonas and I helped. I wanted to be upset that he would think I would play him like this, but I couldn’t.

I dug that grave.

The next morning, Jonas eyed me from his truck as I walked into the building, headed to class and again at lunch when I entered the cafeteria to grab some food.

I’m standing in line searching discreetly for Riggs or Foxy. We have similar schedules and end up breaking for lunch at the same time, but today they are nowhere to be found. Despite my best efforts, I can’t help but watch Jonas out of the corner of my eye.

It’s like he is obsessing over me and it’s creeping me out. I’m going to get my food and bounce because I refuse to sit in here and have him stew over me.

The cashier takes my money and gives me change. When I peek back up, Jonas is no longer in his seat. I can’t find him anywhere. A shred of terror rips its way through my system.

What the hell?What happened to the big game I spewed yesterday when I said I wasn’t afraid of him? I guess Jensen’s warning and Jonas’ creepy stalker vibes are getting to me.

I jerk my bowl of salad from the counter along with my soda and jet from the cafeteria, sending periodic glances over my shoulder. When I’m almost outside in the direction of the parking lot, a nearly demonic cackle cuts through the sound of my squeaking sneakers over the tiles in the hall. Goosebumps break out over my skin when he calls my name.

Why the fuck am I so freaked out? Without acknowledging him or giving any reaction really, I push through the door to the fresh air.

My heart is racing in my chest, beating out a chaotic rhythm in my ears and drowning out any other sound.

Cars can honk at me. Hell, one can hit me for all I care. It’s imperative I make it to my SUV and away from Jonas. I’m not a skeptic or one to scare easily, but he has me going today.

I gulp in lungfuls of oxygen but don’t stop moving until I make it to my Jeep.

I tear the door open and climb in, placing my salad in the passenger seat, my drink in the cupholder. Grasping frantically for my seat belt while simultaneously trying to shove my keys in the ignition, I yelp when a shadow casts over me.

---