Waiting for You(35)
After she poured the rest of the scotch down the drain she carried the bottles outside and put them in her trunk. Then she went back into his apartment, sat down on the couch, and turned on the news.
Ten minutes later Jake appeared in the doorway. He was wearing a tee shirt and sweatpants, and his hair was still damp.
“Hey,” he said.
“Hey yourself,” she answered, turning off the TV.
They looked at each other in silence for a minute. She’d definitely accomplished part of her goal—Jake looked wide awake. He’d even shaved. But her heart sank as she studied his face, because she could see the mask was in place again.
“I don’t know whether to thank you or yell at you,” he said finally.
“I dumped out the rest of your scotch,” she said. “Does that help you decide?”
He smiled a little. “You could have just taken it home with you. That was good scotch.”
“I’m not much of a drinker.”
“Yeah, I know.” He hesitated. “I’m sorry about all this, Erin. I’m sorry I stood you and Mark up tonight, and…” he rubbed the back of his neck, looking away from her. “I’m sorry for all that stuff I said.”
She was sorry, too. She’d known he’d regret it once he was sober.
But her own feelings weren’t important now. “Tell me what happened.”
He shook his head. “You don’t have to worry about me. I’m fine.” His voice was cool, dismissive. “But I do need to take a trip, so I’ll be out of your hair for a while.”
She stared at him. “What do you mean, a trip?”
“I’m going down to Texas for a while.”
“To Texas? What’s in Texas?”
“Just…something I have to do. An obligation.”
It felt like she was the one standing under cold water. “When are you leaving? How long will you be gone?”
He ran a hand through his damp hair. “I’ll probably head out Tuesday. I’m not sure how long I’ll be gone. A couple of weeks, maybe a few months.”
“A few months? But…what about your business? Have you just given up on that?”
“No, but there’s no rush. Mark and I could go forward with that anytime. I’ve been thinking I might take my time coming back, take the long way home. I might tour around the Rockies a little.”
She looked at him blankly. “The Rockies?”
“Yeah. The Rocky Mountains.”
“I know what the Rockies are.”
God, she was such an idiot. Lately it had seemed like Jake was starting to open up to her, but now she knew better. He wasn’t about to let her in—not when it counted.
He wouldn’t tell her why he’d been drinking for the last twenty-four hours. He wouldn’t tell her why he had to go to Texas. Whatever Jake was dealing with, he obviously didn’t want or need her help.
She got to her feet and brushed her hands on her jeans. “Well, it’s been nice spending time with you, Jake. Have fun in Texas. And wherever else you’re going.”
He frowned at her. “Erin, wait a second. Why are you leaving?”
Because she’d been fooling herself again. When it came to Jake Landry, that’s all she ever did.
And it was time for her to accept that.
“I’m tired, and I’m going home.”
Before she could take more than a step or two Jake closed the space between them and grabbed her arm. The sudden rush of goose bumps was one more reminder that she’d never be able to think straight around this man. When it came to Jake, she wanted too many things—most of them incompatible with each other.
“If you could put up with me drunk and stupid, why can’t you put up with me sober and stupid?”
“You’re not sober. And I’ve had a long day.”
“I’m more sober than I was half an hour ago.” His hand slid from her forearm to her wrist. “If you want to leave, that’s okay. But don’t leave because you’re mad. I don’t like it when you’re mad at me.”
“I’m not mad. I’m just…frustrated.”
He frowned. “Because I don’t dump all my crap on you? You should thank me for that.”
She pulled away again, and this time he let her go. “Friends dump on each other, Jake. They listen to each other. That’s the deal.”
He looked at her for a long minute. “Fine,” he said shortly. “I got a call from my best friend’s widow. Their son’s a mess since his dad was killed in Afghanistan last year. She asked me to visit them in San Antonio, to see if I can help. I don’t think I’ll be able to, but I have to try. That’s why I’m going to Texas.”