Page 102 of Of Pucking Course

I didn’t miss Dakota’s reaction, that sick look on her face as she watched her put her hands all over me. I hated seeing her like that. I wanted to walk over to her, pull her into my arms, and kiss her. But I couldn’t. Because we’re a secret and no one can find out about what’s going on between us…especially not Del.

And now he’s trying to get me to flirt back with the waitress, and I just can’t take it anymore.

I know he’s trying to be a good friend, but I need to put a stop to this.

The need to go after Dakota and check on her surges through me, but first, I need to set things straightwith Del.

“I’m not interested in the waitress, okay?”

He leans back slightly at the bite in my tone. I hate that I sound so pissed off. None of this is his fault; he’s just trying to be a good friend.

“Sorry, man,” he says, his tone apologetic. “I was just messing around. I’ll back off.”

I let out a breath, that familiar guilty feeling bubbling up inside of me once more.

“I just…look, I’m seeing someone right now.”

He blinks at me, surprised. “Oh. Shit.”

“I didn’t mean to be a dick, sorry.”

He shakes his head. “No, it’s all good. If I had known, I wouldn’t have pushed you to flirt with the server.”

“Yeah, I know.” I glance at the back of the bar where Dakota walked off. My foot bounces, eager to go after her. I hope she didn’t leave. I need to see her.

Del starts to say something, but I stand up.

“I gotta piss,” I blurt before walking toward the back.

I push open the door and look around. When I see Dakota standing a dozen feet away, her back against the brick wall in the alley, relief wooshes through me.

She’s still here. There’s still a chance I can make this right.

When I walk over to her, she looks up at me. Pain flashes through her big brown eyes.

“Hey.” Her voice is soft and weak.

My chest feels like it’s about to crack in half. I hate seeing her like this. I hate hearing her voice like that.

I close the space between us and cup my hands around her cheeks.

“I’m so sorry,” I say.

Her eyebrows wrinkle. “Why are you sorry? I’m the onewho stormed off without a word because I was irrationally jealous at seeing another woman flirt with you.”

Gently, I stroke my thumb along the silky soft skin of her cheek. She closes her eyes and hums, like she’s savoring my touch.

“You’re not irrational, Dakota.”

She looks at me and lets out a sad chuckle. “Really? Because the last time I checked, it’s irrational to be jealous over someone you’re not even in a relationship with.”

“Do you wanna know how many times I was jealous whenever I saw Jake with you?”

The corners of her mouth lift slightly in the gentlest smile. “How many?”

“Every single time I saw you two together.”

She blinks, and the pain fades from her mahogany eyes.

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