Dawson's Stand (Welcome to Covendale Book 4) Read Online Free

than sitting at the bar, and we’d enjoy the company. Right, Jenny?”
    “Right.”
    The other woman’s tone said she definitely wouldn’t enjoy it. “Thank you, but it’s fine,” Kyla said. “Really. I was just going to finish my drink and go home, anyway.”
    “All right.” Gage shook his head and smirked. “Well, I’m glad to meet you. Maybe I’ll see you around town sometime.”
    “Sure. See you around.” She smiled and turned to the brunette. “It’s nice to meet you too, Jenny.”
    The woman looked surprised, but then she smiled without bitterness. Probably out of relief that Kyla had declined the invitation—not that she could ever compete with a woman that stunning. The two of them made a beautiful couple. “I’m sorry about before,” Jenny said. “We got off on the wrong foot. Anyway, welcome to Covendale.”
    “Thank you.” She decided not to correct the idea that she’d just arrived in town anymore. It was too much explaining—and besides, it might lead to questions she wasn’t prepared to answer. “Well, have a good night.”
    “You, too.”
    Gage met her eyes for a moment, and it seemed like he’d say something more. But he only turned and walked away, and Jenny followed him.
    Suppressing a sigh, Kyla swiveled toward the bar and picked up her drink. She really wasn’t any good at making new friends, anyway.
    * * * *
    Normally Gage would’ve felt bad about getting mad at Jenny. But something about this date hadn’t seemed right from the beginning, and the longer it went, the more he’d realized she just wasn’t interested in him. She had ulterior motives—and he suspected they had something to do with Dean Wesley.
    If that was the case, he figured he was justified in being pissed. He didn’t appreciate being used as a pawn in the get-back-at-the-ex game. Especially when the ex in question was already out for his blood.
    Back at the pool table, he fed in quarters to release the balls and started racking. He’d just socked the last ball into place when a hand slipped around his arm, and Jenny leaned against him. “You’re not still mad at me, are you?”
    “No.” He disengaged from her and walked around the table to the sticks they’d left leaning against it. “You can break this time.”
    “You are still mad. I can tell.” Jenny twisted a lock of hair around her finger and pouted. “It’s because of that girl, isn’t it?”
    Gage sighed. “Not really.”
    “Yes it is.”
    “No. It’s because you’d rather be here with Dean.” He stared at her until she dropped her gaze, and knew he was right. “Why’d you even ask me out?”
    She let out a slow breath. “I’m sorry,” she said. “I just…I guess I wanted to have some fun, you know? And I really do like you.” She gave him a seductive smile. “I always have. Ever since high school.”
    He smiled back and relented a little. He had to admit, she was partly right. Some of it was because of the girl. Kyla. He could’ve sworn he’d seen her somewhere before—but more than that, he’d felt drawn to her. She seemed so alone and unhappy, so…fragile. When he saw her sitting there, he’d immediately wanted to protect her from whatever it was that made her look like she’d been through a personal apocalypse.
    He’d never felt this strongly about any woman before, and he didn’t even know her. It fascinated him and scared him at the same time.
    “Okay,” he said, trying to focus on Jenny. “Are we gonna play, or what?”
    “You bet.” She walked toward him and took one of the sticks, meeting his eyes with a suggestive gaze. “Maybe you could show me some of your moves.”
    “Yeah. Maybe.” He hoped he sounded convincing, or at least half-interested. But he already knew this night would end with him dropping her off and saying a chaste goodnight, with no second date in the future. He was glad he’d borrowed Jonah’s car instead of taking The Beast out here.
    Jenny bent over the table for the break