Straight Up Love (Boys of Jackson Harbor 2)

I search her face and try to imagine how I would have responded if she’d come on to me months ago. Or years.

She’s probably right. Without a broken heart, I wouldn’t have touched her.

“I’m leaving.” She says it with more conviction now, and I’m struck by how beautiful she is. What guy wouldn’t feel lucky to wake up with her in his bed? What guy wouldn’t trip over himself to try to have a relationship with someone like Molly?

A guy who’s in love with someone else.

“Could you leave the room so I can get dressed?” She looks away. “I know that sounds stupid after last night, but I’m feeling . . .”

“No, I get it.” I nod, climb off the bed, and grab my jeans from the floor.

She keeps her gaze on the wall the whole time I dress. Only when I reach the door does she stop me.

“Jake?”

I turn, and she studies me for a beat.

“My sister’s an idiot.”

I shrug. “Maybe I’m the idiot.” An idiot for wanting what I can’t have. An idiot for ruining any chance at it ever happening in the future.

Ava

Present day . . .

“Where the fuck is Jake Jackson?” The front door clangs against the wall as Colton storms into the house.

I push aside the stack of papers I’m grading to shake my head at my brother. His face is red, his eyes are blazing, and his hands are in fists at his sides. When he sees me on the couch, his shoulders drop a little from where they were bunched around his ears.

“Where is he?” He goes to my bedroom door and reaches for the handle.

“Have you checked his apartment?” I ask wryly. In her chair across the living room, Molly folds her legs under her as if she’s settling in to watch the show. Seriously, I don’t want Colton to beat up Jake, but Colton gets like this all the time. He’s a drama queen who’s riled up by the stupidest things. Jake probably said Levi was a better racer than Colt or something equally innocuous.

He spins on his heel and turns to the kitchen. “Don’t try to protect him. Where is that motherfucker?”

I look at my watch and shrug. He’s probably on his way to Brayden’s for brunch, but considering Colton has murder in his eyes, I’ll just keep that information to myself.

Molly clears her throat. “He hasn’t been here since he dropped me off last night.”

Colton freezes at the sound of her voice. Turning slowly, he blinks at her. “Molly.”

She smiles. “Hey, Colton. What’s up?”

He blows out a puff of air. “You were out with Jake last night? Who does this son of a bitch think he is, messing with you both?”

Molly laughs. “The only place Jake Jackson messed with me last night was in my dreams.” Colton and I both stare at her, and she shrugs. “He’s hot and sweet and gorgeous and smart and . . .” She turns up her palms. “I can’t be held responsible for the images my subconscious provides while I’m sleeping.”

Colton grumbles something under his breath, but I’m too busy processing completely irrational jealousy to make it out. He turns to me. “I want to punch him.”

“I noticed.” I take a sip of my coffee. “Is there a reason you’re ready to kill my best friend?”

He glares at me. “You know why.”

I shake my head. “Nope. I really don’t.”

“Jake talked you into sleeping with him instead of going to the sperm bank. I’m going to kill him.”

Oh, shit. “Who told you that?”