“Jason,” Libby yelled from behind him.
He knew he had several yards on her, so he picked up the pace and made it to his car before she caught up with him. She must have been running.
“It’s not what you think,” she began.
He glared at her and then yanked his car door open and climbed in. “Really? Because it looks to me like instead of telling your parents you have a serious boyfriend, you’re out on a date with another man, which confirms what your mom told me.”
Her eyes went wide. “You spoke to my mom?”
“Don’t look so shocked, Libby.” He grabbed the door.
“You’re just going to leave? Without letting me explain?” She took a step back.
“What the hell is there to explain, Libby? Clearly, I’m just your dirty little secret. I don’t think you have any intention of ever telling your parents about me.” He was furious and hurt and pissed-off with himself for letting things go this far. He’d seen the signs all along. Why did I let her string me along all this time?
Libby gasped. “Jason.”
“How long did you plan to carry on this farce? Did you think you could use me for good sex while continuing to search for a suitable man to marry?”
She gasped.
He gripped the door handle. “I’m done, Libby. I’m not your plaything. Been there. Done that. Won’t do it again.” He tipped his head back and gave a sardonic laugh. “Guess I already did though, didn’t I? I let you string me along for a month. At least I got wiser sooner this time. Enjoy your life, Libby. Find someone else to fuck on the side while you marry a boring man who pleases your mom. It’s not going to be me.”
Jason shook with fury as he shut the door, started the engine, and pulled away. He didn’t give a shit that she was standing in the parking lot still talking. His pride was hurt in a big way, and he was far too angry to continue this conversation.
Instead of going home, Jason decided he needed a drink. More than one. He turned in the direction of a local bar where he sometimes met up with the guys.
Just as he was pulling in, his phone rang. He glanced at it, determined to ignore Libby entirely. The incoming call was from Kraft. Jason stared at it a moment and then took the call. “I’m kinda busy right now, Kraft. Do you need me for anything important?”
Kraft’s breath hitched. “You okay? You sound incredibly pissed.”
“I’m way the fuck past pissed. I’m about to get drunk at The Draft.”
“Shit. I’ll be there in ten.” Kraft hung up.
Jason jerked his car door open. He wasn’t sure he wanted company while he nursed his anger, but if anyone was going to join him, he would want it to be Kraft. Hell, he hadn’t even asked the man why he was calling in the first place. He was furious with Libby and on top of that, a shitty friend.
After grabbing two beers from the bar—both intended for himself—Jason slumped into a booth and downed the first beer in one long drink. It took the edge off just enough that when Kraft walked in, Jason’s heart wasn’t beating quite as fast.
Kraft immediately slid into the booth across from him and got the waitresses attention, ordering two more beers. “What happened?”
“I’m an idiot. That’s what happened. Apparently, I didn’t learn a damn thing from Veronica.”
Kraft winced. “Libby? Surely you don’t mean to tell me that Libby is anything like Veronica.”
Jason ran a hand through his hair and then took another swig. “Possibly worse.”
“What did she do?”
“She has no spine. Not only did she not tell her parents about us still, but she’s fucking dating other men.”
Kraft’s eyes widened. “Are you sure? That doesn’t sound like Libby at all.”
Jason gave a sardonic laugh. “Oh, trust me. I’m sure. I saw her. I went to the restaurant where she was currently out with her latest blind date, courtesy of her mother, and saw her with my own fucking eyes. She was even smiling at the guy as if he was the best date she’d been on in months.”
Kraft winced. “What did she say?”
“I didn’t give her a chance to talk. I was too angry. And besides, what the hell was she going to say? There was nothing to explain. I caught her with another man. Period.” Jason picked at the label on his beer, tearing it into strips until a pile of curled soaked paper piled up in front of him.
Kraft looked skeptical, but he didn’t argue the point further.
“I had a chat with her roommate earlier this evening though. She said she would go out with you. If you want her number, get it from Libby. I’m done with women.”
Kraft set his elbows on the table. “Christa? The blonde?”
“Yep.”
“Okay, let’s return to that subject another time. For now, let’s discuss what you’re going to do about Libby. I know this isn’t casual for you. You’re totally into her. You’ve been a different person since you started dating her. She’s important. Dare I say more important than Veronica ever was.”
Jason blew out a breath. Kraft was right. He was so screwed.
Kraft continued, his voice calmer. “I think you need to talk to her. Let her tell her side. At least do that before you toss her into the lake.”
Jason groaned as he tipped his head back. The second beer was doing its job. He might feel like shit tomorrow, but he didn’t care right now.
“Why did you come here?” Kraft asked.
“So she couldn’t find me.”
“That’s what I figured, which means you think she will try to find you, which tells you she has something to say. You’re hiding.”
Jason laughed out loud, manically. “Yep. That’s me. Hiding. It’s in both our best interests that I remain in hiding for tonight. If I don’t,
