Part 22 (1/2)

”Oh.”

”Or some one to do,” Victor said with a knowing smirk, and the guys laughed.

”Enjoy your night. Next round is on me.”

She left to the sound of cheers again and shook her head, waving at the guys, but her stomach clenched.

He didn't come tonight. Other stuff to do.

What kind of stuff?

She relieved Renee and went back behind the bar, grabbing empty beer bottles and slamming them into the recycle bin with decided satisfaction.

So what if he had a date tonight? She'd made it clear they had no future together. They'd had s.e.x only a couple times, and she'd totally blown him off that last night they had together. What had she expected, that he'd come running back to her and beg for more of the same treatment?

Yeah, right. Men love that.

Except that's exactly what she'd expected. She'd been so smug and so sure of herself, certain he'd be back no matter how she treated him.

Only he wasn't back, and now that he wasn't, she missed him. She missed how he smelled, she missed how he felt, and she missed his s.e.xy grin. She missed talking to him.

So what are you going to do about that, Jenna?

Normally she'd do nothing. She never chased a guy.

But she wasn't finished with Ty just yet.

SIXTEEN.

TY HAD HIS FEET UP ON THE SOFA, THE GAME CON-troller resting on his stomach as he stalked the enemy.

”Yeah, you b.a.s.t.a.r.d. You can run, but you can't hide, because I know exactly where you are.”

He was as quiet as a rolling storm cloud as he snuck up behind his target, not even hesitating as he drew his knife and slit the enemy's throat. Blood spurted from his victim's neck and he fell to the ground.

He laughed as kill points rolled up against his online opponent.

”Kicked your a.s.s, Warlord.” Whoever Warlord was. Probably some twelve year old who had no business playing a game this violent, but hey, he wasn't the kid's parent. He tossed the game controller on the sofa and stood, raking his fingers through his hair.

That game was so disgusting. Yet strangely addicting. If he ever had kids he wasn't going to let them anywhere near video games. He was going to drag their b.u.t.ts out of the house as soon as they could walk and make them play sports.

Yeah, right. He'd probably sit side by side with them on the sofa and play those same violent war games with them.

Or, G.o.d forbid, he'd have girls and he'd end up playing some games that had to do with rainbow ponies. Or Barbie. Or something Disney related.

Yikes. Though the thought of a little girl with a long ponytail kicking around a soccer ball or becoming a skater like him-figure skater, though-didn't horrify him as much as it would have a few years ago.

What the h.e.l.l was wrong with him? He wasn't going to get married, and he sure as h.e.l.l wasn't going to have kids.

Not anytime soon. No, not ever. The thought of s.c.r.e.w.i.n.g up some kid's life the way his parents had done to him? No. He wouldn't be responsible for that.

His cell phone rang and he frowned. He had no idea what time it was, but he knew it was late. He grabbed the phone, surprised to see Jenna's number come up.

”Hey,” he said after punching the b.u.t.ton.

”Hey yourself. I know, it's really late. Were you asleep?”

He laughed. ”Uh, no.”

”Are you on a date?”

Leave it to Jenna to be direct. ”No. Are you?”

”Of course not. I had to work tonight.”

He looked at his phone. It was only midnight. ”Shouldn't you still be at work?”

”Yes. But I want to see you. Are you at home?”

He smiled. ”Sure. Come on over.”

”Be right there.”

Interesting. And c.r.a.p, his place was a cyclone. Gear in his living room, cans everywhere, and he was pretty sure the place smelled like gym socks. He did a quick pick up and vacuum, then sprayed with that stuff that took the odor out of the house. Hopefully it removed natural guy-stink.

By the time Jenna rang his doorbell, he had jumped in the shower and managed to pull on a pair of sweats and a clean T-s.h.i.+rt.

She looked great and he couldn't help but feel a punch to the gut seeing her at his front door.

”Hi. Come in.”

She stepped inside. She smelled good, like she'd just sprayed on something that smelled wild and musky. He wanted to get closer and bury his nose in her neck to investigate that scent a little more, but he resisted the urge since he had no idea what she was doing here.

He took her coat. ”Want something to drink?”

”No, I'm good, thanks.”

”Okay. Have a seat. I picked up the apocalypse of a mess, but it's not pretty around here.”

She laughed. ”And you've seen my place, so I never would have noticed.”

”Yeah, but a guy lives here. Trust me, you'd have noticed. Especially the dirty socks smell.”

”Doubtful. I have two brothers, remember?”

”Oh, yeah. You win that round.” He sat on the sofa next to her.