Chaser (Dive Bar #3)(44)

“Yes. I know.”

“Or maybe I’m just slowly turning into a grump like my dad. Probably start yelling at people to get off my lawn any day now.”

She laughed.

“If we did wind up selling, I think maybe I’d open my own place.”

Her smile held a hint of sly. “Be the big boss for real, huh?”

“You know it.” I smiled back at her, ignoring the tinge of embarrassment over remembering the shit I’d told her about being sole owner when we met. That was months ago. Things had changed. Mostly. “Though it might not be enough money for that. Also, there could be legal complications over going into competition. Anyway, are you having a good time? How’s your hot date going?”

“Great.”

“Good.” I stared at my brogues. “Yeah…”

From inside came the faint sound of a baby crying. Jean turned to go. “She’s must be getting tired. I know I am.”

“Did you want me to go?” I offered. “Might be able to get her to chill so you can hang out with Andre a bit longer.”

“That’s okay.” She huddled down in her coat. “It’s nearly nine-thirty. Way past our bedtime. Well, our official bedtime anyway.”

“Okay.”

Her smile was soft and pretty as she slipped inside and went straight to Ada. Andre gathered up the baby bag, ready to walk them home. It was weird seeing another man step in, doing the things I normally did for her. Honestly, I fucking hated it … big-time. My hands curled into fists, jaw rigid as I watched from outside. People waved and blew kisses, wishing them a good night. Nell probably loved seeing them together. And I wanted to be happy seeing Jean have a good time. But it just wouldn’t stick.

If my antlers had been real, Andre would have been in serious trouble.

*

Christmas and New Year’s passed in a blur. First came the traditional Christmas Eve showing of Die Hard with Alex joining Joe and me for our yearly ritual. Followed by Christmas Day with the folks. Dad didn’t grumble about the state of the world too much and Alex got Mom tipsy, resulting in her telling all sorts of funny stories from when Joe and I were little. Like the time I found out people got wrinkles as they got older and promptly told the sweet old lady next door she was about to die. Clearly I’d always been a hit with the ladies. Altogether, it turned out to be not a bad day. I tried stopping by Jean and Ada’s place a couple of times, but my timing was off. They were either resting or out at Nell and Pat’s.

The Dive Bar was packed for New Year’s Eve. It was insane. Even with Vaughan, Joe, and me all working nonstop, the line for drinks was steady. I staggered up the stairs to home in the small hours of the morning, dead on my feet. Only to find Andre making out with some woman in the hallway that led to my room. That led to Jean’s room.

For a moment, I thought he had Jean up against the wall, and my heart seemed almost to stop. But her hair was blond, and she was the wrong height.

Fright turned to anger.

“What the fuck?” I hissed, keys in hand.

“Huh?” He lifted his head from the smiling blonde’s neck. “Hey, Eric. Good night?”

“We need to talk.”

Pained lines filled his face. “Now?”

“Right now.”

The blonde was petite and thin, yet missing all of Jean’s curves. Sure, she had a nice face. But where was the character? Jean’s sharp nose and wide lips were way more interesting. Andre was a goddamn fool and kicking his ass sounded like a fine way to end the night.

The man licked his lips, fussing with his own keys for a minute to get the door open. “Sorry, Christina. Mind waiting inside for me? I won’t be a minute.”

“Sure.” She shot me a look of displeasure. Whatever.

Once she was gone and the door closed, Andre stood tall, hands on hips. “What’s the problem?”

“What’s the problem, seriously? How about Jean?”

His brows jumped. “That’s why you’re cock-blocking me?”

My muscles turned to stone. I was going to kill the shit.

“I escorted her to the Christmas party, yes. You know Jean and I also had pizza together the other night too,” said Andre, smoothing back his hair. “Does that mean we’re married now?”

“It means you need to show some respect.”

“How am I disrespecting her?” He held his hands wide. “She’s nice and I like her. Don’t even mind the kid, for that matter. But Jean and I are friends, Eric, that’s all.”

“Does she know that?” I asked.

“Yes.”

I just stared at him.

“She’s not interested in me like that.”

“Hang on,” I growled. “Did you make a move on her?”

“No, of course not.” He seemed pretty certain and a little pissed off. Made two of us. “Eric, I think I’m old enough to tell if a woman’s into me or not. Though I wasn’t looking for anything when I asked her to hang out.”

“Then why did you?”

He shrugged. “She’s on her own, doesn’t know a lot of people. Seemed like the right thing to do.”

Meanwhile, the muscles in my jaw and neck felt tight enough to break. “You sure?”

Andre hung his head for a moment, exhaling hard. “Jesus, I had no idea. You really need to talk to her sometime soon.”