Page 45 of One Bad Idea

From inside the truck, I asked, "What's going on?"

It was Stuart who answered. "Nothing."

It was the same thing he'd just told Jaden. I hadn't believed him then, and I didn't believe him now.

Obviously,somethingwas going on.But what?

I looked to Jaden. "Well?"

And of course, he completely ignored me. He was still focused on Stuart, who even now, was backing up another step.

Stuart held up his hands in mock surrender. "Hey, I was just leaving."

I felt myself frown. Okay, it's not like I'd been happy to see Stuart. But I'd been evenlesshappy to see Jaden, who, if anything, was a bigger jackass than my ex.And that was saying something.

Already, they'd traveled several paces beyond my driver's side door. If they kept on going, they'd eventually end up at Stuart's new truck.

And then what?

Honestly, I had no idea.

I shoved open my truck door and climbed out of the vehicle. I strode toward them, calling out, "Will one of youpleasetell me?"

Without looking, Jaden replied, "Tell you what?"

I made a sound of frustration. "What you're doing here for starters."

With his gaze still on Stuart, Jaden replied, "I'm checking on my investment."

Okay, that made zero sense. "What investment?"

"You."

I stopped moving.Did he just call me an investment?

Talk about insulting.

Plus, I had no idea what he meant.

I looked to Stuart. Although he was still facing my direction, his eyes were glued to Jaden. With another step backward, he mumbled, "Yeah, well, I'd better get going, huh?" He gave a nervous laugh. "Long drive and all."

As for Jaden, he took another step forward, moving with slow deliberation, like he had all the time in the world.

But to do what?

That was the million dollar question.

I stalked toward them and stopped not quite between them, since there was no room and all, but directly next to them. I looked from Stuart to Jaden and back again.

"Well?" I repeated.

Stuart cleared his throat. "Yeah, well, I'd better get going."

Hadn't he already said that?

He looked like a gazelle, who wanted to bolt, but didn't quite dare, lest he become instant dinner.

I looked to Jaden. "How about you? Doyouneed to get going?"