Taylor’s brows rose. “Ah, one of those.”
I nodded. “Instead of a sexy call, I got a two-sentence brush-off. Now, he’s not returning my texts or calls. But I’ve seen his truck around town. I know he’s fine.”
“Not fucking cool.” Kennedy leaned against the counter. “Sorry about the curse, but no other word would do.”
Taylor raised her cup of tea in Kennedy’s direction. “Amen to that, sister.” She glanced at me. “Do you think he’s just not ready yet?”
My blood began to heat. “The why doesn’t matter. If there’s one thing I’ve learned from the disaster that’s been my love life, it’s that people’s actions show you way more about who they are than anything they will ever say.” Hot tears pricked the corners of my eyes. “He’s shown me very clearly that he doesn’t want me. I have to hear that.”
Taylor set her tea down on the counter and pulled me into a full hug. “I’m so sorry, honey. You deserve way better than this.”
Kennedy rubbed a hand up and down my back. “I could always accidentally trip and spill scalding hot tea on him the next time he comes in.”
I let out a snorted laugh as I straightened. “I’m lucky to have you both.”
Taylor squeezed my arms before she released me. “This means only one thing.”
I ran a finger under my eyes, trying to clear any sign of tears. “What’s that?”
“We need a girls’ night. Two, actually.”
Kennedy straightened the stack of to-go menus on the counter. “Two?”
Taylor nodded. “Yup. The first entails the three of us in our PJs, wine, chocolate, a chick flick that will make us sob, then a chick flick that will make us cackle. The second means us getting all dolled up, hitting up the saloon, having some cocktails, and getting our flirt on.”
I grinned at Taylor. “You know Grandma Irma is going to want in on both of those.”
Taylor clapped her hands together. “Oh, she’s a must. That woman can get down.”
Laughter erupted out of me as I remembered Grandma and Taylor’s dance party in the kitchen a few weeks ago. My gaze caught on a figure across the street, and I stilled. My fists clenched.
Nearly three decades of friendship. The hottest sex of my life. Sharing things I’d shared with no one else. I deserved more than a disappearing act. I was owed a grown-up conversation. One where I was able to get a word in edgewise. “Kennedy, I need you to watch the register for a minute.”
Taylor followed my line of sight. “Uh, J, I don’t know if that’s such a good idea.”
I was already headed for the door. “It’s probably a horrible idea.” But I wasn’t playing things safe any longer. I pushed open the door and moved down the walk. My strides grew quicker, my boots hitting the pavement harder with each step. With each contact, my anger grew. I was so sick of being tossed aside like yesterday’s trash.
I gained on Tuck. Finally, I was within reach and tapped him on the shoulder. He turned, eyes going wide at the sight of me. “Hey, Jensen.”
My hands balled into fists. “Hey, Jensen? Really?” He said nothing. “That’s it? No, oh my gosh, you won’t believe it, I was kidnapped by aliens, and they just returned me to Earth, and the first thing I did was come find you.”
Tuck stood stock-still, not saying a word.
I fought the urge to curl in on myself. Never again would I give someone the power to make me feel less than. “Say something, you fucking coward.” The words came out on a whisper, but I saw each one hit like a physical blow.
Tuck’s mask slipped into place, and he shrugged. “When we started this thing, it was supposed to be casual. That’s what I wanted. You pushed for more, but that’s just not who I am.”
Those hot, traitorous tears tried to rise, a mix of anger and betrayal. “This was more, and you know it.”
That muscle in Tuck’s cheek ticked. “This was friends scratching an itch. But it was a mistake.”
I stared at Tuck, my gaze not breaking from his. “That’s the first time you’ve ever lied straight to my face.” He flinched. “But that doesn’t matter. Because if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s to never waste a second of my time on someone who doesn’t value all the amazing things I would bring into their world.” Tuck said nothing. I nodded. “Right.”
I turned on my heel and strode back to the Kettle. I forced my steps to be measured, unhurried. I didn’t allow my shoulders to shake, even though tears streamed down my face. I would give Tucker Harris no clue that he had just ripped my still-beating heart out of my chest. And while emergency surgery could be done to make repairs, I knew things would never be quite the same.
I pushed open the door. Taylor and Kennedy both stood there, wide-eyed.
“Oh, shit.” Taylor opened her arms, and I stepped into them. “He’s a total moron.”
