That Hot Night

“I didn’t do anything to be sorry about. If those damned matchmakers hadn’t put it in Janey’s head how wrong we were for each other, I wouldn’t even be here right now.” I’d be in my bed or Janey’s with my arms wrapped around her naked, sleeping form. “They’re the ones who invited all those damn women down to the release party, so tell me how is any of that my fault?”

Big Mama sighed and shook her head. “Maybe they did go overboard but they meant well.”

“Doesn’t look like it from where I’m sitting. Seems like good old-fashioned sabotage as far as I’m concerned.” I turned my attention back to Nate’s phone and my anger stirred all over again. “Look at that,” I shoved the phone at Big Mama even though I was sure she’d already seen them, like the rest of Tulip had by now. “That’s what they did. She saw me chatting with one of the matchmakers’ vipers and that’s what started all this. Not me.”

Big Mama frowned, leading me to believe maybe she hadn’t seem the photos, or at least not all of them. “Damn those ol’ girls. I’ll have a talk with them Rafe, don’t you worry.”

“Don’t bother,” I growled. If it hadn’t been one of the women last night, it would’ve been something else since Janey was convinced we weren’t right for each other.

“Looks like I showed up just in time,” Jackson’s deep voice growled beside Big Mama, his expression said he’d rather be anywhere but there.

“What are you doing here?”

He snorted. “Reese thought you might need an ear. Or a shoulder.” His lips twisted in amusement and when I flipped him off, Jackson sat and ordered another platter. “And keep the coffee coming Big Mama. Looks like we might be here awhile.”

Her smile widened at the gruff detective and she nodded. “Get this one sorted out before he misses out on something good.” With a sympathetic look and a wink, Big Mama sauntered off.

Leaving me to face the firing squad. “Here to tell me how I’m the bad guy too?”

“No. I’m here because Reese threatened to put laxatives in the barbecue sauce Eddy’s picking up for the Hero’s BBQ next Friday.” Jase and Nate both snickered, ignoring the glare Jackson sent each of them. “Telling her I was the law wasn’t a persuasive argument so I’m here to help so I don’t wreck my relationship by poisoning my woman.”

That sent the whole table into a fit of laughter, or maybe it was Jackson’s gruff tone, but the mood had lightened. Some.

It didn’t make me feel any damn better though. “So what do I do? Leave her alone or what?”

“That’s your big plan? Leave her alone or…nothing?” Jase shook his head. “Jeez man, you really need our help.”

He wasn’t wrong but that didn’t stop me from stealing a slice of bacon from his plate. “She thinks the worse of me and yeah, the matchmakers didn’t help but they didn’t make her believe them.” And that’s the part that really pissed me off. She knew me but still, she was so willing—too willing—to believe the worst about me.

I looked around the table, all three men stared back at me with hesitant looks on their faces. “What?”

They all shared a look and apparently Nate had been appointed the spokesperson. “You get around, man. And yeah, I know you’re not hurting anyone and your women know what they get when they sign on for a night or two with you, but from a woman’s perspective, you’re a bad bet to fall for.”

Jackson nodded his agreement. “A girl like Janey isn’t as experienced as you are and she’s probably wondering why a guy with your reputation would stay with a girl like her. Especially when you’ve shown no interest in a serious relationship.”

“That’s what Reese said.” And I still thought it was crap, which I told him.

“Maybe so but it’s a valid concern.” Nate shrugged at my glare. “She sees you with exactly the kind of woman the matchmakers said you should be with and it doesn’t take a genius to figure out the rest.”

Well that wasn’t comforting because I still hadn’t figured it out. “Then maybe you should spell it out for me, Genius.”

Jase raised a hand in the air with a cocky smile. “I got this one, guys.” He turned to me with a sympathetic look that bordered on pity. “She’s in love with you dummy and last night, her worst fear was realized.”

“I didn’t do a damn thing!”

“Idiot,” Jase muttered. “You didn’t do anything…last night, sure. But your reputation is a living breathing thing in Tulip and you can’t expect her to ignore it.”

“So I’m being punished for being a single man?” This was why I avoided relationships. They were complicated and messy for no good reason.