Page 21 of Hyde and Seek

Looking over my shoulder, I saw Jake had caught up with us.

“Nah, boss, it’s cool,” Kase said.

“Kase—”

“Fine, fine,” Kase interrupted, dipping to kiss my cheek. “See ya, Pipe.” He turned and began walking back to the bar.

“Bye,” I called to him.

He lifted his hand in a slight wave, bringing it down to rub the back of his neck as he sauntered off, chuckling and shaking his head.

Yum.

Wait.

What just happened?

“Let’s go,” Jake said, drawing my attention back to him.

“You don’t have to walk me. I was good with Kase.”

“Yeah, I’m sure you were,” he muttered with a slight sneer.

“What does that mean?” I walked as fast as my short legs would carry me.

Quick getaways would bemucheasier with long legs.

“RhysandKase in one night? Covering your bases?”

When we reached Bo, I opened the door but didn’t get in. I turned and looked at Jake. Gorgeous Jake who thought I dressed, and now acted, like a whore. I was hurt and embarrassed. I was also really freakin’ pissed.

Since anger was the easiest emotion to deal with, I rolled with that.

“Are you implying I’m a slut?” I gestured up and down my body. “I mean, you think I dress like one. And, apparently, I dance like one. I guess in your mind it’s a quick jump to ‘covering my bases’ with as many men as I can add to my waiting list.”

God, I’m so stupid.

“Babe—” Jake started.

“You don’t like me. And that’s fine ‘cause, honestly, I don’t much like you, either. I’ll stay out of the shop and out of your shit.” I quickly slid into my car and slammed the door. I paused and took some calming deep breaths after fumbling with my keys and turning the ignition.

Jake wasn’t the first person to be mean to me. He also wasn’t the first person to misinterpret my easygoing demeanor and assume I was easy in other ways. I knew the issue wasn’t with what he thought. It was that it washimthinking it.

I put Bo into drive. Turning to check for oncoming traffic, I saw Jake still standing on the sidewalk. His head was tilted, looking away from me. I held my breath as he took a step towards my car. Changing course suddenly, he headed back to Rye, shaking his head.

I released my breath in a loud sigh as I pulled out and drove home.

*******

Sleep wasn’t coming. No matter how many sheep I counted, or how exhausted my body was, I couldn’t relax. My brain had decided that the middle of the night was the perfect time to replay and analyze my argument with Jake. Only this time, I had all sorts of snappy and clever comebacks. The Jake in my head was shamed, but also impressed with my biting wit.

My eyes had just closed when I heard pounding on my front door. I jolted up, wondering if I’d imagined it.

It’s after two in the morning. Maybe the Sandman is finally here to put me out of my misery.

There was more knocking as I made my way through my small ranch style house. I looked through my peephole, sure I was delirious from sleep deprivation. I opened the door. “What’re you—”

Before I could finish my question, Jake’s mouth dropped to mine and his hands cupped my face.

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