The Truest Thing (Hart's Boardwalk 4)

9

Jack

Two years ago

* * *

He’d like to believe Ian was only going after Cooper because he was next on the list to harass. Nearly everyone had been tormented by Ian Devlin at some point in the last twenty years regarding giving up their prime boardwalk real estate. And this would not be the first time Ian had gone after Cooper’s Bar.

However, Jack got the distinct impression Ian was doing it to anger his son. No matter that his blackmail had worked on Jack, he’d never respect his father. He’d never give him his loyalty willingly, and that bothered Ian Devlin more than he’d like anyone to know.

Going after Cooper was about punishing Jack.

He thought Jack would balk at dealing with Cooper in this matter, but as much as Jack didn’t want to face his old friend, he needed to be the one in control of this situation. He’d have to find a way to make sure nothing happened to Coop’s bar without Ian finding out Jack was the reason.

It did not make heading down the boardwalk to Cooper’s that morning any fucking easier.

His palms were clammy, for Christ’s sake.

Shaking it off, Jack reminded himself that this wouldn’t the first time he’d spoken to Cooper in two years. They lived in a small town. They bumped into each other.

However, it would be the first time he deliberately approached his old buddy.

As he got closer to the bar, his attention was drawn past it to Emery’s as Cooper stepped out of her store with a to-go cup in his hand. Jack’s gut twisted. He hadn’t spoken to her in two years.

Two fucking years.

But he’d kept an eye on her, and he did not like what he saw.

Em had lived in Hartwell for seven years, and she was still alone. He knew she went to her kids’ playgroup every second week, but that was the extent of her social life. She didn’t have friends. She didn’t have family.

She didn’t date.

A sick part of him was relieved he didn’t have to watch that, but the better part of him grew steadily more concerned every time he saw her. Emery wasn’t happy.

A little sadness had always existed within her, but it was growing.

And watching that happen killed him.

It made him hate his father more than he thought possible for trapping him in this life.

Stupid jealousy twisted in his gut at the sight of Coop drinking Em’s coffee. His old friend got to speak to her whenever he liked. Petty to be jealous. But there it was.

Cooper’s steps faltered as he walked toward his bar and spotted Jack.

Just like that, Jack watched the cold aloofness that had become familiar wrap around Coop. He always looked ready for a fight whenever he saw Jack.

Not that he blamed him.

Even though a harsh part of Jack still felt like he’d done his ex-friend a favor by showing him Dana’s true colors.

“Here on business.” He held up his hands in surrender before Cooper could tell him to fuck off.

He admired Cooper’s blank expression. It must’ve taken some restraint to master his reaction. As they stopped outside Coop’s bar, facing each other, his friend sipped his coffee with an air of casualness Jack doubted he actually felt. “And Ian thought it was a good idea to send you?”

C’mon, man, you know Ian likes to inflict as much damage as possible on any given day. “I gave up trying to work out how my father’s mind works a long time ago.”

“And yet you work for the bastard?”