Page 8 of Wife Number One

I grew up.

So instead of going out and getting drunk at some bar tonight while the world celebrated how great my brother was, I’d showed up for him and hoped like fucking hell that just a little of his success, his drive, and his commitment would rub off on me.

Liam watched me carefully, the teasing smile slowly fading away into something more serious. “How you been? Haven’t seen you for a couple of months.”

I nodded, running a finger around the rim of my whiskey glass. “Yeah, sorry about that. I know I missed Ripley’s school play last month, but I’ll be there when baseball starts back up.”

“He’ll like that. Means a lot to him when you show.” He paused, thinking over his words. “Means a lot to all of us. It’s been nice having you around more lately the last few years. You know that, right? You don’t need an invitation. You’re always welcome at whatever we’re doing. Or even if you just want to drop in at home sometime. We’ve always got coffee.” He lifted his glass again. “Or whiskey.”

“Actually, I haven’t been drinking much.”

Liam nodded. “I noticed.”

I raised an eyebrow. “You did?”

He shifted on his seat. “You think we haven’t noticed all the changes you’ve made over the past few years? Cutting back on drinking. Showing up for family things. I haven’t seen you high in years, so if you’re still doing that, well, you’re doing a good job of hiding it.”

“I’m not,” I said quietly. “Not in a long time.”

Not since…

I swallowed thickly.

Liam had an uncanny ability to read people’s minds. It was what made him so well liked. He paid attention. Actually gave a shit about how other people were feeling and made an effort to understand it.

He sighed heavily. “I know it’s something we don’t talk about, but everything that happened with Kara and those women…that was a rock bottom you needed to hit. Frankly, I’m just fucking glad you made it out alive, because we were well on our way to losing you before all of that happened.”

I squeezed my eyes shut and took a thick swallow of amber liquid at just the sound of Kara’s name on his lips. I might have been doing better these days, but I never let myself think about her. About everything I’d put her through.

About how she’d left five years ago, and no one had seen her since.

I knew she was safe with her family and that was all I was entitled to know after what I’d done to her.

Liam punched me in the arm again. “Hey. I didn’t bring all that up to have you go dark again. I just meant we’re all really proud of where you are now.”

I gave him a tight smile. His words and praise meant a lot. “I’ll try to come by more. I’ve been doing double shifts at the restaurant and working seven days a week. Just trying to save every penny I can, you know?”

Liam nodded. “I get it. How is the restaurant?”

I made a face before I could think about trying to mask it.

Liam chuckled. “That good, huh?”

I rolled my eyes. “I don’t want to complain. I’m grateful for the work.”

“But…”

I groaned, unleashing every shitty thought I had about my job. “Simon is driving me insane. He refuses to try anything new. Did you know we’ve had the exact same menu for the entire five years I’ve worked there? Five fucking years of the same tired burgers and french fries.”

Liam shrugged. “People like burgers and french fries.”

“Yeah, I guess so. Place is always busy so I get why he doesn’t change things up.”

“But you want more.”

I lifted my gaze to meet his. “I’m an asshole, aren’t I? Simon gave me a job when nobody else would. He taught me everything I know about food—”

Liam held up a hand. “Uh, no he did not.”

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