Bad Boys Do (Donovan Brothers Brewery 2)
Page 55
“It’s cool,” Jamie said.
“I know you guys gave Tessa the house, but she doesn’t think of it that way. She still thinks of it as the family home. I love her. I want to be
with her. But I don’t want to do something that will make her unhappy.”
“Then don’t make her unhappy.”
“Jamie. You know what I mean. If you’re pissed about me moving in, she’ll be tortured about it.”
Jamie was having trouble holding on to his distrust of Luke, and shit like this didn’t help. “I’m willing to give you a chance, all right? I’ll tell Tessa that, too, if it’ll make her feel better. I’m happy for you.”
“Really?”
“No, not really. But I’m happy for her.”
Luke smiled. “Fair enough. I’ll see you at Sunday dinner then.”
“I can’t go.” He held up a hand to stop Luke’s protest. “It’s nothing to do with you. I have plans.”
“I’ll let Tessa know.”
“Thanks.”
Jamie was vaguely aware of the sounds that filtered from the back. He heard Tessa’s squeal when she saw Luke. Conversation followed, then the alarm beeped as the back door opened. Tessa was gone for the day. Soon enough, Eric popped his head into the front room.
“I’m on my way out. You’ve got everything under control?”
It was Eric’s standard line, but it made Jamie’s hackles rise. “Don’t I always?”
“You want a serious answer to that question?”
“Fuck off,” Jamie muttered, hoping it was loud enough for Eric to hear without catching any customers’ attention.
Eric stepped all the way in and crossed his arms. Apparently he’d heard it just fine. “Something going on that you want to talk about?”
“Nothing much. Did you see Luke?”
“He waved on his way out.”
Jamie rubbed a hand over his tight neck. “He had some news. They’re putting pressure on Monica Kendall to force her to help bring her brother in.”
“Perfect. What kind of pressure?”
“Evidently she’s acted as a diversion for him before.” Jamie busied himself with tweaking the pressure on one of the kegs, but when his brother didn’t answer, Jamie looked up.
Eric’s mouth had taken on a familiar flatness. “A diversion, huh? Wow. You can really pick ’em.”
Jamie’s stomach clenched. “I didn’t pick her, obviously. She picked me.”
“Yeah, well…I think you’re what’s referred to as an easy mark.”
“She did it on purpose. She came here, had a beer and asked me to drive her home. None of that had anything to do with my personality or my past.”
“You really believe that?” Eric asked. “That it wasn’t your fault? How do you think I would’ve responded if she’d come on to me?”
“Like an arrogant, self-righteous monk?”
Eric’s hands fisted. “I would’ve responded like a goddamn adult,” he growled.