Honestly, I wouldn’t trust me either.
I’d save his life in an emergency or help him change a flat.Hell, I’d even consider lending him money.But when it came to Jamie, no fucking way was I doing the honorable thing.
“Isn’t the Provincial force a lot more demanding, and more dangerous too?”the brother-in-law, with the name I couldn’t remember, asked.
“Sure.But I’m not the kind of guy who’s easily scared off.”A smirk pulled at the corner of my mouth and my gaze shifted to Eric.
I couldn’t help myself.I enjoyed antagonizing the guy.
Our feud was low-key but consistent.An underhanded jab from me, followed by a poorly veiled threat from him.Childish, maybe.But it was the one place in this whole goddamn yard where I felt like I had any control.
“Dylan’s always been a risk taker,” Jamie cut in, flashing me a harsh glare.“Why don’t you tell John about some of the other things you do?Like the volunteer stuff at the mission?”
John.That was the loser’s name.No wonder I couldn’t remember it.It was as average and unremarkable as the man himself.
Jamie’s warning was clear, though.Hunter’s birthday party wasn’t the place to be rude or start a verbal war with her boyfriend.
But damn, when she gave me that saucy look, I couldn’t help but want to bend her over the picnic table and slap her ass right in front of him.
The memories came easy.Her body, the sounds she made, the way she used to beg so sweet.Unsuitable thoughts for the company I was in.And I didn’t give one single fuck.
“Of course, Jamie.”I stressed her name, so she’d catch that I’d used it.No more calling her princess, just like she’d asked.
Her eyes narrowed.She knew exactly what I was doing, even if she’d never admit it.That was the thing about her—she’d been playing this cat-and-mouse game with me since we were fifteen.She kept me on my toes, kept me guessing, kept me chasing, without even trying.
I’d loved her for it.
Hell, I still did.And maybe I always would.
“The volunteer work’s just part of the job,” I said with a shrug, turning back to John.“Community outreach is an important part of police service.”
“And we’re all so grateful for the service you provide.”Eric all but rolled his eyes.
“Yeah, well, I love my community.When I decided on the job, I knew it would have challenges.But I like a good challenge.Keeps things interesting.”
Eric’s snarl might have frightened away another guy.In fact, he scared poor loser John, who mumbled incoherently under his breath as he scurried off toward his wife.Not me, though.
I widened my stance and smiled brighter.
“Oh, for goodness’ sake, Dylan.Will you please cut it out?”Jamie’s voice dropped, letting me know I’d pushed far enough.“I was going to thank you for showing up, but sometimes I seriously question your motives.”
“Sorry.”I wasn’t.Not for pissing off Eric, anyway.“Old habit, I guess.”
She studied me for a moment, something shifting in her gaze.“Listen, we’re about to make an announcement.I wanted to give you fair warning in case you need to make an excuse to leave.No hard feelings.”
“No hard feelings?”I scoffed.“The three of us are nothing but hard feelings, don’t you think?”
Her glare sharpened.Eric’s arm went around her, pulling her close like I was something to be protected against.As if I’d ever hurt her.
“Don’t worry.”I held up a hand, backtracking to keep things civil for Hunter’s sake.“I’m just kidding around.I’m a big boy.As long as you’re not moving Hunter away from Copper Ridge, it’ll be fine.”
The look she gave me stopped me cold.It was a look of fear mixed with something older, something I recognized from when we were teenagers, right before she’d run away pregnant with my child.It had taken ten years and her father’s death for her to come back home.
But she still hadn’t returned to me.
Eric didn’t give me time to think about it.He steered her toward the picnic tables, climbed up, pulled her with him, and let out a sharp whistle that cut through the noise of the yard.
“Sorry to interrupt everyone,” he said, not an ounce of reluctance in his voice.“We know you’re here to celebrate Hunter today, but Jamie and I have something we’d like to share.”