Jayme & Tripp (Game Wardens 1)

“Cool,” Will replied.

He and Will pulled up to the diner pretty much at the same time Jayme did. They all parked and met up on the sidewalk in front of the diner. He clapped Jayme on the shoulder and gave him a smile. Jayme looked sexy in his paint covered jeans and t-shirt. It looked like he tried to wash the paint off his hands and arms but missed some spots.

“How was painting at your parent’s?” he asked.

Jayme gave him a look that said it all. It had been torture. “I don’t know why I offered to help. My mother did nothing but criticize everything I did but wouldn’t pick up a brush and do it herself.”

He chuckled. “Gotta love parents.”

Jayme rolled his eyes and shook his head. “Let’s go get something to eat. I’m starving.”

Jayme said hi to Will as they walked into the diner. He glanced around, while they were waiting to be seated. His gaze landed on a couple sitting in a booth by the window. He cursed under his breath and prayed that they didn’t get seated near them. Maybe Jayme wouldn’t see them. He knew when Jayme caught sight of them though, because he tensed.

“What the fuck?” Jayme hissed, and started over to where Brendan and Mallory were sitting.

He followed closely behind him. Jayme stopped next to the table, and both Brendan and Mallory looked up at him with ‘Oh shit’ expressions on their faces.

“What the hell is going on here?” Jayme asked sharply.

“Nothing, man, we’re just having lunch,” Brendan replied quickly.

“Are you two dating?” Jayme motioned between the two of them.

“It’s none of your business who I’m dating, Jayme,” Mallory chimed in.

“It is when it’s my best fucking friend. Dude, are you fucking my ex-wife who’s pregnant with my baby?” Jayme directed at Brendan.

Brendan flushed bright red. Tripp wasn’t sure if he was pissed or embarrassed. “It’s not like that, Jayme. We care about each other.”

“How long have you been caring about each other? We’ve only been separated for two months. What’d you do, Mal, jump on his cock as soon as I walked out the door?!”

Mallory bristled, her mouth gaping open as she stared up at Jayme in shock. Tripp placed his hand on Jayme’s shoulder. They were starting to draw the attention of everyone in the restaurant.

“Jayme--“ He started, but Jayme shrugged him off.

“And you,” Jayme turned back to Brendan. “You went behind my back. I thought we were better friends than that. Why wouldn’t you just ask me if you could see her?”

“I don’t know. I didn’t think you’d approve,” Brendan said, looking rightfully scolded.

“Instead you risked our friendship,” Jayme said, his tone hard.

“Jayme, come on, man. Don’t be like that.” Brendan sighed.

“No. Fuck you. You went behind my back just like she did,” Jayme snapped, pointing at Mallory. “I can’t be friends with someone who goes behind my back when they’re too chicken shit to say things to my face.”

Jayme shoved past Tripp and headed for the door. Guess they were done here. He followed Jayme out of the diner. Jayme went right for his truck and opened the drivers side door. He trotted over, and grabbed Jayme’s elbow before he could climb in.

“Hey, wait. Where are you going?” he asked.

“Home.”

“I’ll be there as soon as I drop Will off, okay?”

Jayme nodded, his face a mask of anger and hurt. He let Jayme go and stood on the sidewalk while he backed out of the parking spot then sped off. Will appeared next to him.

“Well, that didn’t go well,” Will murmured.

He sighed and shook his head. “No, it did not.”

“I don’t want to add fuel to the fire, but I think they were together before Jayme and Mallory broke up. Just the way Brendan talks about her, makes me think they’ve been together for a long time.”

He nodded slowly. “I think you’re right.”

“Which means, that baby might be Brendan’s.”

He hummed in agreement.

“Why would she tell Jayme that it’s his then? When she’s obviously with Brendan?” Will speculated.

“Because she’s a manipulative bitch? I think she still wants Jayme and is trying to keep him around. And Brendan’s a dumbass for staying with her.”

“If he thinks the baby might be his, that might be why he’s sticking with her.” Will shrugged.

Tripp shook his head and scrubbed a hand over his mouth. This was not good.

“Let me take you home. Sorry lunch was a bust.”

“It’s okay. I’ve got some leftovers at home I can eat.”

He took Will home, then headed for his house. Jayme’s truck was parked in the driveway. He took a deep breath and walked in the front door. He had to tell Jayme about what Will said, and the possibility that the baby might not be his.

“Jayme?” he called as he shut the front door.

“Upstairs.”

He walked up the stairs and stood in the doorway to Jayme’s room. Jayme was sitting on the end of his bed, freshly showered; with his hands clasped in his lap. He was now in gym shorts and a t-shirt.