Mismatched

Ch. 18

As Jack headed toward me, I turned to Riley. I grabbed him by the hand, pulling him towards me so that his back was facing Jack.

"Hey, could you grab me a Mountain Dew while I go check out?" I asked Riley, plastering a light smile on my face. He opened his mouth, about to question me, but we didn't have time for that.

"If you like it, I want to try too," I urged, pushing him away gently.

Riley's brow furrowed, but he nodded.

He just started down the aisle by the time Jack waltzed up to me.

"Hey, again. You haven't forgotten about me, right?" Jack joked, and I forced a fake smile back.

"Nope, haven't forgotten. The second my aunt is back, I will let her know," I reassured him.

"Seems like a pretty fun job you have there," Jack said, and I immediately whipped my head around to see if Riley had heard over by the refrigerators. If he had, he wasn't reacting.

"It's a job," I said bluntly, and Jack seemed to take note of my disinterest in his general existence.

"You okay? You seem tense," Jack commented, tilting his head a little to survey me. I would have punched him square in the face if it wouldn't have drawn attention from Riley.

I shrugged, my eyes not even looking at Jack as I tracked Riley around the store. He didn't seem to have any clue what was going on as he pulled open the door to the fridge, but he would if I couldn't get this wrapped up before he got back.

What did I have to do to get this guy to leave me alone?

"And sorry, rude of me, I forgot to ask your name last time?" Jack said, and I felt the sudden urge to roll my eyes. I knew the smalltown charm was not an act with him. This was really just who he was, and I hated it.

"Nate," I answered dryly. He stuck out his hand to shake mine and I stared at it, considering it for a moment before eventually putting my hand out to meet him.

"Well, take care, Nate," he said, and that seemed to satisfy him, because he continued on his way.

"Who was that?" Riley asked, spying him curiously as he walked back toward me, Mountain Dew in hand.

My heart nearly jumped out of my chest.

How much had he heard?

"He's the local vet. He helped out my aunt with a cow birth and apparently, she forgot to pay him. She's on vacation. So, I told him I'd let her know as soon as she was back," I explained, which was partially true.

"You didn't seem to like him very much," Riley commented. I shrugged in response.

"I find it unnatural to be pleasant all the time," I complained, and Riley chuckled.

"So, no secret stories with him that I will uncover with time?" he continued to probe.

Riley was jealous. Jealous of me talking to his soulmate.

There was a secret story to uncover all right, but not the kind he was thinking about.

"Nothing like that, I promise. He's just the vet," I said with a soft, reassuring smile, holding out my hand for Riley to tuck his into.

Riley smiled back, intertwining our fingers. "Alright, I trust you."

Those words felt like a stab to the heart. I was rebuilding his trust just to shatter it in a million pieces.

I tried to push the thoughts from my mind as we checked out our snacks, but I couldn't help it.

"Did you think he was attractive?" I asked, and Riley looked completely taken aback.