I spend an hour picking up shit and throwing some laundry in the washing machine. Next I go to my bed and frown. I haven’t changed the sheets in a month—which honestly is kind of normal. I only change them if I think a woman is coming back with me and even that is only if I feel like it. It never bothered me before. Tonight, though, it does. I haven’t had a woman in my bed since Jodie—and that’s the last time those sheets have been changed.
“That ends tonight,” I mutter. I pull off the silver comforter and after bringing it up to my nose, decide to wash it too. I toss it on the floor and then begin to remove the bottom sheet—I never mess around with the top one. I frown when I notice blood on it. I haven’t noticed a scratch or anything, but who knows. I’ve been surfing a lot lately on my downtime. I finish yanking it off, before throwing it on top of the comforter. Then, I stare at the mattress and say fuck it and lay on it without sheets. I close my eyes and damn it if Jodie Jones doesn’t float across my mind.
What the hell is wrong with me?
3
Jodie
“Deke, this is awful nice,” I murmur, wishing I was anywhere but where I’m at—on a date with Deke Littleton.
I’m not sure how it happened. I’ve been avoiding him like the plague. I don’t even know why. He’s a nice guy and he’s good looking, too. He’s got some salt and pepper action going and pretty blue eyes. He is around five-eleven. That makes him taller than me and that’s something I’ve always wanted from the men I date. Mom and Dad love him, which is also nice, and we all go to the same church. The problem is there’s just no spark.
None at all.
To be fair, I’ve never really had sparks with anyone other than Linc and after the way that turned out, I don’t care if I ever do.
“Anything for my best girl,” he says, and I scrunch my face up. His best girl? What is that?
We’re at Fireside Bar and Grill. The owner, Caleb, is a good guy but a bit of a loner. He’s quiet and reserved. He’s got muscles everywhere and looks like he could have been a pro boxer or cage fighter—he definitely has that look. He was friendlier and talked more, but he was involved in a messy divorce a while back, and ever since that, he’s changed. Right now, he’s talking to Wren Walters. I know her from church. She’s a little younger than me, but sweet. She teaches skiing to smaller kids at the Sugarbush Ski Slope. I didn’t even realize she knew Caleb, but it’s clear they’re in an intense discussion right now, and Caleb looks angry.
“Did you hear what I said?” Deke asks, pulling my attention back to him.
“I’m sorry. I was just watching Wren,” I murmur. “She seems to be arguing with Caleb and I was wondering if I should go try to rescue her.”
Deke looks over at the couple and shrugs. “Maybe Caleb likes her.”
“That conversation doesn’t look like he likes her. He looks like he could chew nails,” I reply, not really joking.
“Who knows. That’s how Sheriff Larson looks at Faith Bridges.”
“Whoa, say what?”
“You didn’t know? He’s been getting cozy with Faith for a while, but for whatever reason, they haven’t gotten together.”
“Maybe she’s nervous about his career? I mean, Faith is a single mother. It stands to reason she’d be cautious,” I argue .
“Perhaps,” Deke responds. “That’s why I like you so much Jodie.”
“What do you mean?” I ask confused.
“You don’t have baggage. Relationships are hard enough without that.”
“I would hardly call a child baggage, Deke. Logan is a beautiful child.”
“He is, but he will always be between Faith and Sheriff Larson.”
“I’m sorry?” I whisper because I can’t quite catch my breath. I always thought Deke was a great guy. I’m starting to realize he’s an asshole.
“He will never belong to him. Plus, if the sheriff and Faith have children, he’ll always favor his children over Logan.”
“Wow. That’s sad.”
“That’s just the way it is. That’s why sex should wait until you’re married.”
“I…”
“That way if kids are involved, the parents are together.”
“What if they get divorced?” I ask. What I’d really like to do is dump my wine over his head. I really like Faith, and Logan is a smart, amazing little boy. And Deke? Well, Deke is just a freaking asshole.
“That’s why you’re prefect for me, Jodie.”
“I am? I don’t understand,” I tell him, thinking whatever he says I’m not going to like.
“You’re a good girl,” he says.
God, I hate when he says that.
I mean, I say it about myself, sure. My parents even say it about me. When Deke says it, I want to slug him.