Page 129 of The Charm of You

“Can you do me a favor and fuck off?” I bite out, swiping the bourbon into my wolfish palm and downing it.

“Your wish is my command, sire.” Cole saunters to the other end of the bar to fetch a beer for Petey. Next to him, Joe holds his shaking belly as he releases a husky laugh.

The pair are in here just about every night. On Sundays, they leave before karaoke starts, and I might just have to steal their genius move tonight.

As I suspected, three people have already mentioned Caroline to me. With Cole, that number kicks it up to four.

I barely had my foot in the door when Lisa Henson trapped me to go on about seeing us at the parade. According to her, it was like a movie, and she’s “just tickled” for Caroline and me.

If I didn’t feel so guilty, it would be a lot easier to swallow people’s questions and remarks and words of praise. I can’t fucking take it anymore.

I didn’t even go fishing this morning. I’ve gone fishing every Sunday morning for nearly ten years. The only thing that has ever stood between me and the river was nature itself, but it couldn’t be sunnier today.

I’ve parted ways with plenty of girls in the past. Sure, an initial sting pricks at my skin, but it quickly passes.

Recovering from Caroline won’t be such an easy feat.

The sting is more like a line of fire, and instead of remaining on the surface, the searing burn runs real damn deep.

I ram my hand through my hair.

“Is it safe to come back now?” Cole tilts his head toward me.

“Only if you bring me another bourbon.”

“Coming right up, sunshine,” he calls out sarcastically.

“You look like shit.” Keely sinks onto the barstool next to me.

Of course. Of course, this scorned woman is here to pour salt into my wound, and the extra kick in the pants is that I fucking deserve it—and worse.

“That’s already been established. You’re too late to the shit-on-Austin party. See you next time,” I clip and nod my thanks to Cole, who sets a fresh drink in front of me.

Unfortunately, he’s called away by another customer, so he can’t save me from whatever confrontation this is.

I suck back a healthy drink, then brace myself.

“Relax.” Keely waves me off. “I’m not here to cause you any trouble. You’ve clearly done enough of that to yourself.”

“So I can drink in peace, then? That’s good news.” I hold my glass up to hers and throw back another gulp.

“Not exactly.” Keely shifts on the stool, and discomfort pinches my nerve endings.

I suddenly wish I was the liquor-stained mat under Cole’s feet. It would be better than listening to whatever Keely has to say.

Then again, I practically feel like the mat already. Like I’m being stomped on. It can’t get worse, can it?

With a sigh, I ask, “What’s on your mind, Keely?”

“I just need to know why you insist on self-destructing. You’re smart, Austin, but I swear, you can’t tell your ass from your forehead sometimes.”

As if on cue, a self-deprecating laugh escapes into my drink, which fogs up the glass. “In light of the events from last night, I really don’t know why I do it.”

“What exactly happened last night?” she asks.

I grind my teeth, swallowing down the sordid tale of how I’ve dedicated my entire adult life to my mother, who has moved on without me and doesn’t actually need me anymore.

“Let’s just say, everything I thought to be true, isn’t,” I tell her.

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