After a few games of pool, I paid my tab and then followed behind everyone else as they spilled into the parking lot to their cars. I tried to stay away from Jessie after our display in the bowling lane but I still planned on following her home. She and Dex were now arguing by her truck and everyone had stopped a few feet away to listen.
As I approached, I saw that her tire was now completely flat. Fucking hell. Again, I cursed myself for not insisted she get it replaced.
“I’m driving you home,” Dex was saying, or should I say slurring, as he swayed toward her, his body leaning, closing in on her.
Jessie’s fists were balled. “You can barely drive yourself home.”
I couldn’t stop myself, all I saw was I red. I stepped up and grabbed Dex, practically throwing him to the ground. “Get the fuck off of her. You stupid drunk-ass fool.”
“What the fuck?” Dex shouted, straightening himself and then taking a lame swing in my direction. Cory came up and grabbed him from behind.
I had a clear shot but I didn’t take it. “Leave her the hell alone already. Can’t you get it through your thick skull that she isn’t into you?”
“Nate,” Bennett said, stepping up. “He’s drunk.”
“He’s always drunk,” I said and took a step away, trying to get ahold of my anger. “Fuck. You guys make excuses for him but that shit doesn’t look pretty. Not when he’s always harassing her, just because she agreed to go out with him a couple times last year.”
God, what the hell was I saying?
The group was silent, almost shell-shocked, until Cory turned to Dex and said, “Dude, he’s right. I’m going to drive your butt home.”
Bennett nodded. “Sorry, Jessie. We’ll give you a lift.”
Jessie was staring at the ground, probably embarrassed by my display.
“I’ll be the one driving her home,” I said in a calmer voice, taking in breath after deep breath.
Her head snapped up to glare at me.
“I already told her inside that I was going to follow her home when I saw her tire was low, again . . .” I gave her a pointed look.
“Again?” Quinn said, stepping up. “Jessie, you need a new tire. This’ll keep happening.”
“Okay, don’t get your panties in a bunch,” Jessie said, gritting her teeth. “It’s only a goddamn tire. And fine, I accept your offer, Square.”
She didn’t meet my gaze but I couldn’t help my lip from lifting into a smirk and my stomach tightening in victory. Like some goddamn gorilla. I’d pound my chest next. Damn, I don’t even know what the hell had come over me.
“It’s settled then,” Bennett said, walking backward and pulling Avery along with him. “Nate, let me know if you want help with her car in the morning.”
Just like that. Like he knew I would follow through. He’d been giving me strange looks all night. Probably because I hadn’t paid attention to a girl this much before. Even if she was just a friend.
“Will do,” I said, nodding.
“What year is this truck?” Quinn asked running his hand along the paint job on the hood. Everyone knew he was a car aficionado and had a couple of sweet rides he’d restored himself.
“I don’t really know,” Jessie said. “It’s probably twelve or fifteen years old. It was my dad’s.”
“Well, this model was definitely built to last,” he said. “If you ever want me to make some adjustments and check her out to be sure she’s safe, just say the word.”
“Thank you, Quinn,” she said, appreciatively. “I might take you up on that.”
“No problem,” he said. “And if you don’t already have a mechanic, the guys at Salem Brothers are great. It’s a family owned business.”
Everyone retreated after that. Even Dex left willingly—he must’ve finally realized he needed to take his drunk ass home.
“So,” I said, turning toward Jessie.
“You do caveman well,” she said, before a corner of her mouth lifted. “Looks like you saved the day again.”
“Yeah,” I muttered and headed toward my car. “Guess I’m awesome like that.”
“Oh, here we go,” she said, pretending to grumble but instead it came out like a short little laugh.
Chapter Twenty-eight
Jessie
I was still reeling from the way Nate had acted on my behalf. I was grateful, confused, embarrassed, and more than a little turned on.
As soon as I got into Nate’s truck he tipped his chin toward me, a serious look in his eyes, his leg jiggling at a steady rate. Something had gotten under his skin.