Page 6 of Last Round

Like the good friend he is, Sean holds back whatever comment he was going to make and pats me on the back. “Well, I got some good news for ya. It’s what I’ve been meaning to talk to you about—”

“Ugh,” I groan. “Please, I can’t talk about your execution right now.”

“My execution?” He’s silent for a moment. “Not my wedding. We have months to plan that. No, I hired us a new waitress. At least for the rest of the summer.”

“Whoopy.” My voice lacks all enthusiasm as I twirl a finger in the air. I’m not sure why he would think I’d care. I wasn’t even aware we needed additional waitstaff.

“I should’ve run it past you. But I didn’t think you’d mind. Chelsea is going to need to cut her shifts with the baby coming in a few months and we could use the extra help.”

“Sean, you’re the budget guy. If we got the money, I don’t care.”

“Yeah… it’s just… You know I don’t enjoy using the business for personal reasons. But she really needs a job.”

My face pales as the pieces click together. “Sean, don’t tell me you hired Jessica?”

“What? No.”

“Oh, thank fuck.” I let out a relieved sigh. “Then who is it—”

“Hey, Sean.” If her floral scent didn’t give her away, that honey-sweet voice would have. I look over, and sure enough, there’s my firecracker. She returned.

Wait… How does she know Sean?

He rushes around the counter and pulls her in for a hug. My fists clench as I hold back the desire to punch my best friend—where the fuck did that come from?But I don’t dwell on it because I don’t care to know the answer.

Arm draped over her shoulder and dopey grin spread across his face, Sean looks back at me. My chest squeezes and my throat thickens, making it difficult to swallow. I rub at my sternum. What has me so uneasy? I should be happy. She’s back. But as her striking green eyes narrow in on me, I get this awful feeling of déjà vu.

“I was just informing Kill that you’d be starting as our new waitress. At least until you get settled.” Sean tilts his head as he looks at me. “You’re okay with this, right?”

I nod. Unsure what to say. It’s like looking at one of those scrambled puzzle pictures. There’s something here. It’s familiar. But I can’t put my finger on it.

“Sorry.” He turns to my future wife—I mean, if she’s working here, I’ll have time to convince her to be anyway. “Kill met the love of his life tonight and lost her.”

“I wasn’t aware the great K.O. was capable of love.” Fuck, her sharp tongue has my dick bursting the seams of my pants.

“Molly,” he scolds. “Be nice.”

Molly… Click. I finally see everything as clear as fucking day. This is bad.Really bad.I quickly pour myself a shot of whatever’s in arm’s reach and chug it. It goes down the wrong pipe, sending me into a coughing fit.

“You okay?” Sean asks.

“Yes.”No. I pound my chest to clear my lungs. I’m not, nor will I ever be again. Because the first time I ever felt anything other than hard for a chick, it’s the one I can never, ever with an extra side of never, have.

Sean hugs her tighter. “I’m so excited my baby sister is home. This is going to be so much fun.”

Yup, that’s right. I’ve fallen head over heels for my best friend’s little sister. And the fucking cherry on top of it all is I didn’t even recognize her. It’s only July, but they might as well hand over my “asshole of the year” award now. Because I fucking earned that shit.

“Yay,” I say as enthusiastically as possible while pouring myself another shot. I have a feeling I’m gonna need a lot more of these if I’m going to make it through this in one piece.

Some Things Never Change

Molly

I’mnotsurewhatwould have been worse. Coming home after seven years to realize nothing’s changed or that everything has?

Except, in my case, I got hit by both. How that’s possible, I ain’t got a clue. But since stepping foot off the Greyhound and knocking on the front door of my childhood home the other night, for the most part, everything’s been the same.

Sean still lives here. That doesn’t surprise me since the house was paid off with Dad’s life insurance—it’s only practical. What isn’t, though, is the fact that the cream lace curtains Dad and I bought at the Goodwill are still hanging in the kitchen, while the cupboards are that same awful sunshine yellow that’s as atrocious today as it was back then. Albeit, the color has toned down some, but I recognize it all the same.

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