The Wager (The Bet 2)

“The problem.”

“Oh, right.” He sighed. “Do I get coffee first?”

“No,” she snapped. “It’s serious!”

“Holy shit. Are you—?”

“Why does everyone keep asking if I’m pregnant? How’s that even supposed to happen with you sleeping in a separate bed?”

Travis seemed to actually think about this.

Rolling her eyes, Kacey grabbed his hand. “Focus. I think something’s wrong with Jake.”

Travis snorted. “If I had a dollar for every time someone said that to me—”

“Shut up. I’m serious! He actually looked sad! He was all depressed and—”

“Morning, Jake!” Travis called as Jake came bounding down the stairs.

“Yup.” Jake waved. “Char already in the car?”

Kacey nodded.

Jake licked his lips and headed for the door. The minute it clicked shut, Travis spoke. “Damn, I think something’s wrong with Jake.”

Reining in her withering patience, Kacey managed not to groan in frustration. “Like I said, we have a problem. What if he actually likes her?”

“Impossible,” Travis said. “The guy hasn’t been in a serious relationship, ever. I mean the closest he ever got was with you and we both know how that ended.”

Ignoring him, Kacey continued. “I

t just seems like he’s really upset over her. Did you say anything to him last night?”

Travis didn’t answer.

“Baby?”

Travis looked at his hands.

“Did you say something about Char?”

“I may have given him a little… warning.”

“Warning?” Kacey said. “What type of warning?”

“You know… one where I tell him to put on his big boy pants, stop eating where he shits, and leaving Char the hell alone.”

“And he listened to you?”

“Weird, right?” Travis smirked. “At any rate. We both know Jake better than anyone. He doesn’t like her; he just thinks he does because she’s probably the only girl that won’t toss up her skirts for him. Jace is better for her, I promise.”

“But—”

“Kace.” Travis grabbed her hand and kissed it. “Remember, if we lose, Grandma sings at our wedding. I guarantee that if you push Char into Jake’s hands, he’ll bang her and leave her just like every other notch on his bedpost.”

“Okay.” She slumped back against the couch.

“Baby.” Travis chuckled. “I know you have a big heart and want both of them to be happy, but there is no way that Jake’s turned over a new leaf that fast. No chance in hell. And you don’t want to see your best friend hurt like that, especially right before the wedding. Trust me, okay?”