Page 12 of Worthy Now
“Think blowjobs, baby. Lots and lots of blowjobs,” the devil on his shoulder coos into his ear, making me want to throw up for an entirely different reason. “And if that’s not motivation enough, picture eating tofu for a week straight because that’s what’s on the menu if you screw this up.”Savage. I can practically see the fear in his eyes as an expression of sheer determination takes over his features. Damn her and her dirty tactics.
I make a last-ditch effort of my own when I say, “Same goes for you. If you back out now, I promise I’ll only make you file six months’ worth of paperwork. You know what? I’ll do you one better. I’ll even buy pizza and beer, and we can make a night of it.” Carter’s uncertain gaze flickers between the amber liquid and his wife for a few beats. When Megan’s brows rise all the way to herhairline, he closes his eyes and blows out a heavy breath. I watch in horror as his hand reaches for the first glass and he brings it to his lips, tipping his head back and swallowing its contents in a single gulp.Fuck me. Here we fucking go.Steeling myself, I hold my breath and quickly toss back the two Jäger shots. I force down a gag and reach for the brain chaser next, hoping whatever concoction it contains will get rid of the overpowering taste of licorice before it has time to settle on my tongue. It works, but the texture is so vile I almost spit it back into the glass. Honestly? Who drinks shit like that voluntarily?
I slap the empty glass onto the counter and focus on my breathing as the alcohol burns a path down my throat and settles in the pit of my stomach. Carter doesn’t seem to fare much better, and I watch in satisfaction as his whole body convulses with violent shudders. I wave the bartender over and order a couple of beers to wash down the lingering aftertaste, while simultaneously ringing in the second phase of the challenge. I lift the neck and drain about half, quirking an eyebrow at Carter and daring him to keep up. Megan and Tessa haven’t stopped smiling at each other since we got here, giddy at the prospect of two grown men getting plastered and embarrassing themselves. Seeing as I’m a lightweight these days, I’d say the chances of that happening are pretty damn good. But I have a plan. I’ve given my body a good base with the greasymeal I devoured before coming here. I’ll pace myself, hydrate with lots of water in between rounds, and hope to God Carter will go down fast. We finish our beers, and he doesn’t waste time ordering two more before we move to the stage area to check out the band. I’m not sure who’s playing tonight, but I was told the band is local, so I’ve probably seen them before.
When we step into the connecting room and I find my buddy Chase center stage, I’m pleasantly surprised. Chase and I remain close to this day and still jam together often. His band mostly plays covers with the occasional original sprinkled into the setlist and has been a town favorite for years. They’re damn good but would most likely never make it big. Chase strums his acoustic guitar effortlessly as he plays a beautiful rendition of Neil Diamond’s ‘Solitary Man.’ We make our way to the front, and I raise my drink in greeting. He jerks his chin in acknowledgment, and we watch them wield their magic for a while. When Megan and Carter start slow-dancing, Tessa and I slide into a booth that just opened up, where I’m currently nursing beer number three.
“You know you’re going to feel like death in the morning, right?”
I shrug, popping a couple of complimentary peanuts into my mouth, not bothering to swallow them down before I reply. “I’ve survived worse,” I say and inwardly cringe when I notice the shadowsflicker in her golden eyes. “Don’t worry about me. I’ll be fine. Pretty sure Carter will tap out before things have a chance to get too crazy. He doesn’t get out much, and his tolerance is shit.”
Tessa lifts a shoulder like she’s done her due diligence in issuing the warning before she turns her head and watches our mutual friends sway to the music. The place is hopping, the noise level almost deafening, and I have to raise my voice to be heard.
“Are you enjoying yourself?”
“Are you kidding?” she says with a grin that lights up her entire face. “I can’t remember the last time I’ve had this much fun. I’ve missed this. Us. Hanging out with people who truly know me, you know? It’s not like this in LA.”
“Tired of city life?” I ask, casually slinging an arm over the back of the bench seat. I look out over the dance floor and take a swig of beer to hide that I’m chomping at the bit to hear her answer.
“I love living in the city, but it’s a different life. Los Angeles is…” My eyes snap to hers. “How can I explain this?” she muses while she sips her Piña Colada. “Life is superficial. No one really bothers to get to know the real you. You could just up and disappear, and no one would truly care. There are a thousand people like you, ready to take your place. Caleb went on a two-week vacation once, and I ended up with chest pains one night. I was genuinely concerned I may be having a heart attack, and I asked myself how long it’d take for someone to find me if I didn’t make it. It turns out it was just a bad case of indigestion from the giant cheesy pizza I’d demolished while watching Dirty Dancing for the millionth time.” She’s laughing, but something in the way she said it makes me think the experience was less amusing than she makes it out to be. “There’s this revolving door of people flitting in and out of your life every day, but no one really wants to slow down long enough to discover what you’re really about. Does that make any sense?”
“Makes perfect sense to me,” I tell her, truly seeing her for the first time since she got back. She’s just a lost girl with a ton of regrets, trying to make things right so she can find her place in the world. I might’ve had my own hardships growing up, but I’ve always known where I belong. Maybe that makes me the lucky one.
“Now I’m even more glad we get to do this tonight. Life hasn’t been the same without you,” I admit, pleased with the way her hazel eyes sparkle under my praise. God, she really is beautiful. I offer her a warm smile and marvel at the way her cheeks flush. I haven’t been able to draw that kind of reaction out of a woman since—well, her. Carter chooses that moment to pop our intimate bubble, all but falling into my lap as he motions for a passing server to bring two more cold ones. Megan takes a seat beside Tessa and glares at me through narrowed eyes.
“You’re not cheating, are you?” She turns to her best friend. “I’m trusting you to keep an eye on this one and stay neutral. Tonight, you’re fucking Switzerland. Are we clear?”
I shake my head, giving Carter a look. The one that says his wife is a pain in my ass. His shrug suggests he doesn’t care one way or another, and even if he did, there’s little he can do about it. We all know who wears the pants in that relationship, and Carter seems pretty content with the way things are. These two have been together nine years but still act like love-sick fools. I’ll never admit it, but I envy them sometimes.
“Jake is on his third beer and still going strong,” Tessa announces. “There are one hundred and four minutes left in the game, and so far, it looks like it’s going to be a close call.”
“O ye of little faith,” I scoff, and Tessa giggles when I throw her a wink. We banter back and forth for the next half hour or so, and it almost feels like no time has passed since we were teens. Not a care in the world and laughing so hard that Megan complains about a cramp in her side. We dance and mingle before eventually finding ourselves back at the bar to order round number six. I take stock of Carter’s mannerisms, disappointed to notice he still appears rock solid, but the game isn’t over until it’s over. Tessa is standing on her toes, leaning into me, and shouting something that makes me bark out a laugh when a voice I recognize causes my blood to boil.
“Teresa Davidson. Haven’t seen you since high school. What a coincidence.” Tessa freezes, looking up at me with wide, uncertain eyes, like she’s unsure whether she should even acknowledge the slimy weasel at her back. When my expression doesn’t give her the answer she’s searching for, she slowly turns with a polite smile that looks painted on.
“Shane,” she greets in a high-pitched voice that doesn’t sound like hers. “What are you doing here? I thought you lived somewhere in Iowa now.”
“Keeping tabs on me, are you?” he chuckles, looking her up and down like he remembers every square inch of her body. My nails bite into the fleshy part of my palms, and I grind my molars so hard my jaw aches. The urge to drop that fucker where he stands is almost unbearable. I haven’t laid eyes on Shane Cooper in over two years. Last I heard, he’s a car salesman, married with a kid or two. He comes home to visit his parents every now and then, like a good ol’ boy, but he never brings his family along. The years haven’t been kind to him, and that feels better than it should. I take in his sweaty face and the doughy gut that spills over the top edge of his belt. He’s wearing a black button-up and matching jeans. A pair of shiny cowboy boots decorate his feet, and I bet my left nut they never even saw a speck of dirt. A poor man’s Johnny Cash.
“Cooper,” I bark louder than necessary, rudely inserting myself into this heart-warming reunion. “Fancy seeing you here. Where’s the missus? She embarrassed to be seen with you or something?” I flash him a wide grin, and Tessa visibly cringes at my ill-mannered inquiry. I don’t feel bad. The guy’s a piece of shit and deserves to be treated as such. Shane jerks his head in my direction and has the nerve to act surprised, like he hasn’t noticed me standing there in the first place.
“Jake Nelson. Didn’t even see you there.” I roll my eyes at his predictability, taking another pull from my bottle to hide my irritation. “You guys back together?” He throws Tessa a questioning look, once again ignoring my existence.I don’t fucking think so.
“None of your business,” I snap before she can answer. His hands shoot up, and he takes a cautious step back. “Whoa, buddy. Cool your jets. I didn’t mean to step on anyone’s toes. Apologies if my question made you uncomfortable.”
“The only thing making me uncomfortable is the way that shirt strains across your gut. That middle button is hanging on for dear life, and I’d rather not lose an eye tonight.”
“Jake,” Tessa gasps, pinning me with a stern look as Shane’s face turns a satisfying shade of red.
“Is that really how you wanna play this, Nelson?” he asks through clenched teeth, stepping forward and closing the gapbetween us. I straighten, anticipation buzzing through my veins. I haven’t gotten into a physical altercation in years, the last time being back when I kicked Shane’s ass and ended up in Sheriff Payton’s tender care.
There’s no doubt in my mind I can take him, and my hands twitch at the prospect of finally getting the payback I’m due.
“Why so angry, Jake? Are you so insecure you can’t even allow her to talk to me without throwing a tantrum like a two-year-old? What went down between Teresa and I happened a long time ago. I’m a married man now. There really is no need for petty jealousy.”
I snort. “You smug fuck. You just had to go there, didn’t you? What happened between the two of you never would’ve happened if you hadn’t manipulated her into it. You took advantage of her during a vulnerable moment, and you got lucky. Not exactly something you should go around bragging about, Shane.” I say his name in a way that doesn’t hide my distaste and make sure he’s looking me in the eye for this next part. “Embarrassing her by mentioning her momentary lapse of judgment just to get a rise out of me is not only disrespectful, but pathetic. You’re a sleazy little turd, and you deserve to get your ass kicked.”
“Oh yeah? And are you volunteering for the job?” Shane goads, fully encroaching on my personal space now.
