“Yes, I drove so I can follow you.”
Easton nudged my leg under the table.
“I’m ordering sake,” Jules announced as we perused the menu, deciding what rolls we wanted.
“I’m driving, so none for me,” I explained, trying to put cheer into my voice so Easton or Jules wouldn’t pick up on my mood.
“Go for it, babe. I rode with Easton, so I can drive you home,” Cole told Jules, punctuating his offer with a kiss on the side of her head.
We ordered way too much. All of us were leaned back in the booth, disgusted and proud of the amount of food we’d just consumed.
“I’m so jealous of you two,” Jules said, her cheeks red from the sake. “You have the perfect arrangement. No feelings, just sex. Why can’t we be like that?” She turned to look at Cole, whose jaw was clenched so tight I worried about his back molars.
“I assure you they are just as oblivious as you are,” Cole finally answered her.
I cocked my head to the side, confused at his words. Easton’s jaw now matched Cole’s in the clenched department. I wondered if between the two of them, they were going to pay for the down payment for their dentist’s new yacht.
“Don’t project your shit on me, Fox,” Easton said, staring hard at his best friend.
“You’re an idiot,” Cole told Easton before turning back to Jules. “And I can’t do no feelings because I’m so fucking in love with you there is no way to turn it off. And I’m pretty sure you’re in love with me, too.”
My hand latched on to Easton’s leg. This was bad. Jules didn’t like to be cornered, and Cole just blurted out the one thing that hit my best friend’s self-destruct button.
“You’re not in love with me. And I assure you I’m not in love with you.” Jules stood up, her face bright red, and I wasn’t sure if it was from the sake anymore.
“I’m out of here. It was fun, Loverboy, but obviously I overstayed my welcome. I promise you are not in love with me, and if you are, I hope you get over me fast because this is over.” Jules stomped out of the restaurant with everyone watching.
Cole sat calmly like he didn’t just declare his love to Jules and have her walk out on him. My fingers still dug into Easton’s thigh.
Before I break it off with him, I need to sink my teeth into his thighs.
“Cole,” I began, not knowing what to say.
I didn’t think my epic peptalk that I’d been practicing about Jules’ insecurities, and if he just rode it out it was going to work out between them if he was patient with her, would work. Jules had broken it off with Cole. Her asshat ex had struck again.
“It’s okay, Rachel. She’ll be back.”
A snort left my mouth. Obviously, Cole was in deep denial about Jules, which was understandable. Cole hadn’t been around after her ex had broken her spirit and made it impossible for her to love. He hadn’t seen her go through men faster than napkins at a wings restaurant.
“Cole,” I started again, but stopped when I watched my best friend stomp back toward us.
The smile that had been playing on Cole’s face disappeared and he refused to look up when Jules made it to our table.
“I’ve been drinking,” she said.
Cole refused to look at her.
“It would be irresponsible for me to drive. You already said you’d drive me home, and I agreed. There’s no reason for us to change our plans just because I’m done with you.”
Cole finally looked at Jules, his face stoic. “You’re not an idiot, Jules. You can get a ride from Rachel. She hasn’t had a drop to drink, and you two live across from each other.”
Jules threw her hands up in the air in exasperation. “Rachel is going to Easton’s house tonight.”
I opened my mouth to tell her that I would take her home, but Easton’s hand landed on mine and pressed it deeper into his thigh, signaling me to shut up and let it play out.
I would listen to him for now, but my loyalty was still with Jules. If Jules needed a ride, I would give it to her, Easton be damned.
“Once again, Jules, you aren’t an idiot. You can order an Uber.”