Page 234 of This Woman Forever

Escape.

I wince. Again, I can relate. Fuck, he didn’t ask for this. Poor fucker. Sam hangs up to Kate and looks at me, and I shrug, heading for my car, Sam to his.

And this will be my afternoon. Watching over my friend while he gets wasted and drowns in his sorrows.

I’m here for him. But I will be monitoring the levels of consumption. And yet I know I don’t have to. Drew’s got way more self-control than I had.

Except, of course, for when he let Coral into his bed.

What a fucking mess.

44

I order two beers and a water, settling down at the bar on one side of Drew, Sam on the other. He’s quiet, staring into his beer. Coming to terms with his fate. After a few minutes, he swipes up the pint and necks it, slamming it down and ordering another.

Three pints in, we’ve not moved, and Drew’s doing some serious venting. Coral’s been called every name under the sun. She didn’t even deny it, and although Drew’s well aware he’s firmly in the frame, he still wants a test when the kid’s born. Wise. I don’t blame him.

“So there’s no chance of a proposal, then,” Sam says in jest. It’s not appreciated, Drew slowly turning a dark glare his way. I laugh and get up when John calls, excusing myself and stepping away.

“Where are you?” he asks when I answer.

“Consoling Drew.”

“Why?”

“Coral’s baby. It’s his.”

“Jesus Christ.”

“Indeed. What’s up?”

“Okay.” He drags the word out, like he’s psyching himself up. It’s odd.

“John?”

“Don’t lose your shit.”

I still, staring at my shoes, my muscles becoming uncomfortably tense. All early warning signs that one is at risk of losing one’s shit. “Is that a request or a demand?”

“A request.”

“Spit it out, John.”

“Ava’s received some anonymous warnings.”

My lungs deflate on the spot, draining. “What?” I wheeze, eyes darting.

“When I took her to a meeting, a courier was outside her office. On a bike. He or she gave her an envelope. Inside was a message.”

“What message?”

“It alluded to the previous warning to stay away from you and some shit about Ava not knowing who you are. It got delivered with some dead flowers.”

“Jesus Christ,” I breathe, moving on unsteady legs to a nearby chair and dropping to the seat. “She had a warning to stay away from me? When?”

“I don’t know when she got the other one. She tore it up.”

I growl in disbelief. “She did what?”

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