Page 8 of Coty

“You were saying?” Emily smiles and walks away.

Chapter 4

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Coty

I was wrong. Having the live feed with the Roadhouse isn’t a good thing. It hasn’t helped to ease my mind at all. In fact, it’s making matters worse. Now, I have to sit here and watch men talk to her. Yes, I parked myself at a table with a direct line to the camera and a perfect view of the TV monitor.

She should be bartending here at the Den tonight so that I can keep a better eye on her. I mean things. I’m not controlling. I’m really not. I just have a problem with men with bad intentions talking to her. And yes, every man on this planet other than my trusted, loyal brothers has bad intentions. College guys are near the top of the bad intentions list. The Roadhouse is packed with college guys tonight. The sight of them makes me wish I could reach through the screen and punch them in the face. Can’t flirt if you have a busted nose.

“She’s fine.” Jack drops down into the chair next to mine and stretches one leg out. His eyes follow Lily as she walks into the kitchen.

“What?”

“You could just go to the Roadhouse.”

“My job’s here tonight.” I put my elbow on the table and lean the side of my head against my fist. My eyes remain on the TV screen.

“Nah, man. That’s an excuse.” Jack takes a sip of beer and glances around the Den. “You need to go up there and tell Kayla how you feel. You’re wasting time.”

I motion to him with one hand. “Pot.” I slap the same hand against my chest. “Kettle.”

He growls and shakes his head. “Waiting isn’t helping either of you.”

I stare at him like the fool he is. “Took you a minute to tell Lily how you felt.”

He holds up a finger. “True, but my ole’ lady was an angel. I had to walk softly.” He wiggles both hands. “And usesoft gloves. Still do at times,” he mumbles the last part.

I can’t help but laugh. Lily informed Jack just how much she hated his soft gloves. She wasn’t prepared for the full force of Jack McLeod either. We’ve had years of training on how to handle and care for an angel. They need love, comfort, security, and emotional support. That training bleeds over into how we treat all women. Jack’s never loved a woman like he does Lily. She’s his forever. He’ll always treat her with a mix of his true self and with soft gloves if the situation calls for it.

My eyes drift back to the TV screen. Is Kayla my forever? Did I wait too long to see it? Do I want her so badly now because I can’t have her? It’s enough to drive a man insane just thinking about it.

“Tell her how you feel,” he says again.

“She won’t talk to me.” My head falls back. Whining is not my style.

“Maybe you’re not talking right.” Nana, Jack’s grandmother, sets a beer in front of me.

Jack leans forward, ducks his head, and tries to hide his laughter behind his hand. His laughter quickly dies when Nana sets a cup of coffee in front of him.

He looks up and narrows his eyes. “Nana?”

Nana points to the bar. Lily smiles and wiggles her fingers in a little wave. I swear she does stuff like this just to mess with Jack. Oh, he will drink that cup of coffee and enjoy every drop.

Nana places a hand on my back and raises an eyebrow. I should’ve known she wouldn’t let it slide. She doesn’t let anybody off the hook.

“Nana, I don’t know how I’m talking wrong. I can say hello, and she bites my head off.”

“Then talk without speaking.”

It’s my turn to narrow my eyes at her. “How do I talk without actually talking?”

“There are ways, Rodeo. So many ways.” Nana pats me on the back twice and walks away like she just solved all my problems.

I love Nana. She’s full of wisdom and offers great advice. Sometimes, well, lots of times, her advice doesn’t make sense, especially when it’s directed at you. Then one day, shockingly, it makes perfect sense. Sadly for me, it doesn’t tonight.

“Your grandmother is crazy.”

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