Rules of Protection(60)

Cowboy sighed. “He didn’t want me to tell you.”

“Tell me what?”

“He went to the barn with Bobbie Jo.”

First, I was shocked. Then hurt. Then enraged.

“Hey,” Cowboy called after me. “Where are you going?”

“To the barn. Where else?”





Chapter Thirteen

The thought of Jake and Bobbie Jo in the barn alone was unbearable. Him asking Cowboy to keep it from me only worsened the feeling.

I made it to the barn as they came out. Her face reddened and her eyes wouldn’t meet mine. Signs of guilt—all the confirmation I needed. Jake, on the other hand, didn’t look embarrassed or guilty. Surprised, maybe, but definitely not guilty. Fucking jerk.

“Hello, Emily,” Bobbie Jo said solemnly, keeping her gaze lowered. “I’m sorry I borrowed Jake for a few minutes. He helped me figure something out.”

“Well, did you get it fingered…er, figured out?” My icy tone matched the look I gave her. Jake wrapped his hand around my wrist, tightening his grip as a warning.

Bobbie Jo gave him a slight smile. “Thanks for your help. I’ll leave you two alone now.”

Jake nodded as she turned to walk away. “Sure thing,” he said, letting her get out of earshot before he turned back to me. “Got a problem?”

I shrugged nonchalantly. “Who said I have a problem?”

“Don’t play games, Emily. If you’re mad, just say so.”

“What’s there to be mad about? If you want to sneak out to the barn with another woman, then that’s your business. After all, I’m just your pretend girlfriend, right?”

“Stop it. It wasn’t nearly as scandalous as you imagine it to be. She needed to talk.”

“About…?”

“It’s personal.”

“I thought we were personal. Guess I’m the only one.” I tried to walk away from him, but he wouldn’t turn my wrist loose.

He dragged me back and held me by my shoulders. “Don’t walk away from me. It didn’t have anything to do with you. I asked Cowboy to keep his big mouth shut only because I knew how you’d react.” He breathed out as if trying to control his temper. “Look, I can’t tell you what we talked about because I’m not going to break her confidence. Bobbie Jo is still a good friend of mine, but it’s no reason to be jealous.”

“I bet she is. I know I always sneak off to barns with my good friends.”

“Jesus. You don’t trust men at all, do you?”

“Why bother? They all disappoint sooner or later.”

“Get over yourself, Emily. Not everything is about you. God. Maybe you’re right, after all. You do need therapy.” He let go of my arms and stormed toward the house.

I stood alone, wondering how in the hell it happened. How was it possible I found him with another woman, yet I ended up feeling bad? Jake wouldn’t have been Mr. Understanding if he caught me alone in the barn with Cowboy.

Annoyed, I followed him, but stayed far enough away until I could control the frustration burning behind my eyes. Once I pushed it back to a manageable level, I sat on the edge of the picnic table and quietly processed what he had said. Jake lingered nearby but didn’t say anything directly to me. He didn’t have a problem talking to Ox or Judd, though.

Bobbie Jo walked around the yard saying good-bye to everyone in the safety zone—ideally anyone who wasn’t near me. Her radiant blond hair hung past her shoulders and flipped out at the ends. Her boobs bounced in her top as she leaned over to hug someone’s child. She was well liked by everyone here. A little too well liked for my taste. God. Why am I so insecure?

She waved at Jake and he smiled at her. Oh, yeah, that’s why. It made me want to rip every strand of her shiny, bleached blond hair out of her scalp. Instead, I crossed my arms and blew out a large breath, showing my irritation.

Ox looked over, puzzled by my expression. “What’s wrong with her?” he asked Jake.

“Who knows? She’s moody. Maybe it’s Mad Cow Disease,” Jake answered, unfazed.

A loud gasp came from behind him, and everyone around us stopped moving. Jake froze in place, closed his eyes, and let out a silent curse. Momma Bell stood there, giving Jake the stink-eye with her fists balled up on her plump hips. Reluctantly, he turned to face her.

“Why, you little shit. Don’t you dare talk about her like that. Why, if my Earl had ever said that about me, I’d have blasted him between the eyes.” Momma Bell stuck her gnarled finger in his face. “Now, you apologize to her or I’m going to tan your hide. I don’t care if you’re nearly a man.”

All irritation left my body as I swallowed a giggle. Nearly a man? At thirty years old? Jake’s a late bloomer.

“Aw, Momma Bell, Emily knows I’m kidding,” Jake said, taking a swig of his beer.

“Jakey, I mean it. You apologize to that girl,” Momma Bell ordered, her harsh eyes glaring at him. “My Earl wouldn’t have hurt my feelings for nothing in the world.”

“Okay, fine.” Jake had to will himself to do it. “Emily, I’m sorry.”

I smiled, but more out of sympathy for Jake. Everyone watched and listened as Jake apologized to me. It was almost comical, since I should’ve been the one offering an apology for how I acted at the barn.