Nate (A Texas Jacks Novel) (36 page)

“Hey, where’s Charlie tonight? Is she joining you ladies later?” Tucker asks, ruining my moment of peace. I want to tell him to mind his own business and to take a flying leap somewhere.

Cutting my eyes to his, I try to catch his attention to shut him up with a shake of my head before anything else can come of it.

“I don’t know. Why don’t you ask your best friend where his lady is tonight?” Naomi replies sharply.

They all turn their eyes to me, waiting on my answer.

Well, doesn’t that just beat all?
Sounds like her friends are ready to crucify me. So far, I’ve been able to avoid them.
Great
. Putting on the best fake smile that I can muster, I try to throw off her sarcastic response with my own nonchalant one.

“
What
? She’s at home. Tonight’s a guy’s night.” I reply, looking each of the girls in the eye, daring them to say more. When none are forthcoming, I continue. “That’s it. Nothing to get upset about.” I mumble, as I turn to the table, trying to get it racked and ready to go. “So, who’s up first?”

I know no one is fooled by that, but it’s none of their business. They all know by now what’s going on—no one’s stupid. I just hate that we’re all so tightly connected, my own handpicked family of sorts, and that it affects us all. Tucker grabs a pool stick and starts chalking it up as I place the rack back on the wall, feeling like I’m lower than dirt.

About 30 minutes go by, and we’re all having a great time, as best as we can, when Dave wanders over our way. I still have yet to figure out what his deal is.

“What’s shaking, Dave baby?” Halley asks him when he stops next to her.

He gives her an easy smile and tells her, “Just checking out the crowd, making sure everything is running smoothly,” before he heads over to the DJ booth, completely ignoring my presence as he walks passed me.

A few songs later, a familiar song starts to play by Great Big World. This song really hits close to home, and I decide to sit this new game out, as I focus on what’s being said. Dave walks by again—looking at me with arched eyebrows—as he continues on his way past our little group.

Something is definitely up with Dave, and I’m getting tired of his looks. I decide to track him as he makes his way back to the front, but he surprises me when he heads straight to the bar. That’s when I notice that he’s making a beeline for a very beautiful woman who just so happens to also be mine.

Charlie.

What’s she doing here? When did she arrive? And how did no one even notice her?

Sitting back in my chair, I keep my eyes trained on them, mentally promising all kinds of harmful maneuvers I’ll use on Dave if he makes any moves on her. I know I have no right to say anything at this point, as I did this to us. I need to get my head on straight, so I let them be.
For now.

And that’s how the rest of my night goes. Me, brooding in the corner, while the rest of our friends are having a good time, and all the while, I keep a close watch on Charlie and Dave. I don’t like it, but that’s how it has to be. And boy does it kill me every time I see the sadness on her face, and the simple fact that she never looks directly our way, not once, the entire time we’re both here.

After an hour, I can’t take it anymore. Really, I should have given up twenty minutes ago. I know it’s time to get out of here before I do something I’ll regret, or to make Charlie more upset. And I really can’t stand the fact that Dave hasn’t left her side once since he sat down next to her. And wouldn’t you know it? Charlie, who’s clearly hurt and upset, has been drinking soda all night. I’m not a big drinker myself, but the one time I let my guard down, I got myself hammered, and it was Charlie who picked up the pieces. But tonight? It’s not me she’s crying with, and it’s not me picking up the pieces. Instead, it’s me who made her break, and it’s me who sent her into Dave’s all too eager, wide-open arms.

I’m completely ticked off at myself. I throw back the rest of my water, and decide it’s time to make a hasty exit.

“I’m heading out. You guys coming?” I ask Holt and Tucker.

“No, we’re cool. Halley can give us a lift when we’re ready.” Holt eyes me, then looks over to where my girl is sitting with the man I want to bounce right out of here. “Shouldn’t you be over there?” he nods towards the pair at the bar.

“No. I’m the reason she’s messed up to begin with. I can’t stand watching him wrap his arms around her anymore. She deserves someone better than me. Anyway, I’m out. I’ll see you guys later.” I’m done with this conversation, and decide to take off before anyone else gets any bright ideas to confront me.

I walk past Charlie, but she doesn’t even notice me as I go by. Dave sure does, though. He barely acknowledges me before cutting his eyes back to Charlie, like I’m a piece of dirt that he wants to brush off, or he’ll become filthy from being in my presence.

Well, screw him.

I slam out of the main doors and into the parking lot, running into the one person I haven’t seen in ages, and don’t wish to now. Heather Morgan, my ex-high school sweetheart. If I thought the night couldn’t get any worse, I was wrong.
Way wrong
. This isn’t the time to make nice and play catch up. Too bad, though, because that’s exactly what’s about to happen.

I’ve been here for a long time. So long, I can’t even remember how long ago it was when I came into
Texas Jacks
. I know one thing for sure; I arrived before the guys showed up. Once they arrived, I made a beeline for the bar, planted my butt there, and haven’t moved since. At the start of their night, they didn’t even notice, but as time moved on, they slowly—one by one—started to notice me. Though, I will point out that none of them actually tried to come and talk to me.

I’m getting pretty sick and tired of sitting here, avoiding them. I’m also tired of crying and pouring all of my problems out on Dave. He’s a great guy, but I’m in no mood to be consoled, and I really don’t want to keep analyzing what’s going on with Nate. I just want some peace and quiet. Why I thought coming here tonight was a good idea is beyond me. I should have stayed home and enjoyed the solitude, shutting out the world.

I even sent my friends away. They know me well enough to know when to leave me alone. Thankfully, they get it and took off to hang with their guys. It really doesn’t help that they’re dating Nathan’s friends, though.

I sigh, running a hand through my hair. I think I’ve done pretty well all night without looking in Nathan’s direction once. I mean it’s not like I couldn’t see him. I had a good side view from my periphery all night, but there was no way I was letting him know how much he was affecting me.

Dave jerks his head up all of a sudden, staring over my head at someone—who I’m pretty sure is Nate. I refuse to look, though. I’m not playing games, but I know he doesn’t want to see me, or talk to me right now. He made this mess, and he obviously wants time away from me. If he wanted to fix it, he’s had hours to do so tonight. Yet, nothing ever came my way from him. I didn’t purposefully come here with the knowledge that he and the guys would be playing pool. I just got in my car, started driving around, and found myself sitting in the parking lot. That’s how Dave found me, and learned what was going on. He took it upon himself to text the girls, letting them know what was up—causing them to make their way to the dance club, as well. We had a little chat, then they went their own way. Though, I’m sure they knew the guys would be here, too. Our two groups can’t go anywhere without each knowing about it.

I throw a few dollar bills onto the bar and stand up, deciding it’s time to head home myself. I look at Dave and give him a half-hearted smile.

“Thanks for being my shoulder tonight, Dave. It means more than you’ll ever know. I really shouldn’t have dumped everything on you, though. Sorry for that.” I smile again, giving him a shoulder shrug.

He grabs my hand. “There’s nothing to be sorry for. The only person who should be sorry, and didn’t do a thing about it, is that sorry son of a gun, who broke your heart to begin with. Don’t you go apologizing to me for his mistakes.”

Okay.
Apparently someone is ticked off—maybe even more than me. I’m just sad and brokenhearted, but Dave seems really riled up. Up until this point, he’s been pretty quiet about it all.

“Don’t worry, Dave. I’ll be fine, eventually
.
I’m tired, though, and I really just want to be alone. I’m going to head out.” I stifle a yawn. “Thanks for calling in a favor and getting someone else to man the doors tonight. I’ll text you when I make it home safely.” I lean in and kiss him on the cheek, then grab my purse.

“You do that, but I’m still walking you to your car. Don’t even think about giving me any lip for it, either.” He stands up and wraps his hand around my elbow, leading us down the steps from the bar area and out the front door.

As soon as we walk outside, we both stop dead in our tracks. I feel like a deer caught in headlights, as there stands Nathan and a tall, gorgeous redhead, talking to each other. She’s got the biggest smile plastered on her face, and she’s aiming it right at him.

I can’t even move. I’m frozen in place as I continue to watch them together. I’m so confused and have no clue what’s going on with them, or who this woman is, or why he’s got such a fond look on his face. I don’t want to jump to conclusions, but I’m so thrown off balance at the moment, I don’t know what to think.

I feel Dave nudge me a little, breaking the spell I was trapped in while staring at Beauty and Charming talking to each other.

Turning my head, I look over to see Dave giving Nathan a hard look as he shakes his head. He squeezes my elbow before leading me away from them, and out to my car. I turn my head back one more time, to take one last look. I don’t think I can bear any more tonight, but I have to see him just once more.

He looks right at me, and there’s pain in his eyes, causing my own eyes to water before I duck my head and turn away from him and this woman who has just put her hand on his chest. I can’t stomach any more. I thank Dave again, giving him a quick hug, before climbing into my car and taking off, not even daring to look in my rearview mirror.