Page 4 of When The Rain Falls

“Come on, old man. For once, don’t act your age.” At forty-two, I’m considerably older than Tyler. A fact he likes to bring up as frequently as possible. “You can forget about your responsibilities for one night.”

“Those responsibilities are calledchildren,” I grumble. “Vivian has a soccer game early in the morning. And I have to figure out how to get Ruby a homecoming dress. And the mall makes me twitchy.” Tyler’s been trying to coax me out of the house for months. I keep using my two daughters as an excuse to turn him down. Tonight he refused mynoand deployed his most powerful weapon—Ma.

Tyler ignores me and slaps me on the back again. “Sounds like a tomorrow problem. Tonight’s about poor decisions.” I swear his eyes are twinkling. Tyler’s attention is drawn to a commotion at the front of the bar. I follow his gaze to see a group of women in jeans and skimpy tank tops enter. They’re laughing loudly, flipping their hair in that obnoxious way women do, and calling out to someone outside.

"And those poor decisions just walked in." Tyler winks at me. He stands and tries to catch their attention with a wave. Ice immediately floods my veins.

"Tyler,what is this?" I ask threateningly.

"Relax," he says. "I just invited some friends."

The women catch Tyler waving and meander in our direction. My stomach clenches.

"I want you to meet Brook. You'll like her.”

"You swore no more ambushes," I growl at my brother as I run an anxious palm down my face.

He just laughs. "I'd hardly call Brook anambush. She's a hundred and thirty pounds soaking wet.” He laughs. "Plus, if she jumped you, which is kind of the goal here, I think you could take her." There’s that mischievous smile again. Something hotis beginning to rise in my chest. I feel betrayed. My fists clench tightly around my glass.

A tall woman with blonde hair and blue eyes approaches us. "Brook. This is my brother, Finn.” He clamps my shoulder as if warning me to play nice.

Brook smiles shyly at me. She’s beautiful. All of Tyler’s women are beautiful. But she’s probably too young. And I have no desire to make tiring small talk with a woman who’s waiting for an advance that will never materialize. I’m not wasting this woman’s time. I’m certainly not wasting mine.

"Hi, Finn." She tucks a strand of hair behind her ears. Eyes fluttering. Cheeks flushing. Lips pouting. All the usual trappings. It’s enough to remind me that it’s been a long time. A really fucking long time.

But not enough to forget the real problem. Ever since Laurel died, I’ve struggled with performance anxiety. I can get hard easy enough. Probably too easy, considering how sex-deprived I am. But I can’t stay hard. And that, turns out, makes sex difficult.

I stand from my barstool, still clutching my glass. I can't even force a smile. I nod as politely as possible, then walk away.

"Uh, hang on," I hear Tyler say behind me. Suddenly, he's at my back, matching me step for step. I feel his hand on my shoulder. "Wait," he says. I stop and face him. I notice Brook over his shoulder, looking at me expectantly. I wonder what exactly Tyler told her. About coming here tonight.Come meet my pathetic brother? He could use pity sex on the anniversary of his late wife’s birthday.The burning in my chest flares.

"You asshole." I glare at Tyler.

"Just say hi. It won't kill you. I think you two have a lot in common."

"Like what?" I challenge him.

"Well, uh," he starts. "You both have jobs, and,” Tyler gives me a wise-guy smile, "you’re a lawyer and she, uh, I’m pretty sure she knows what a lawyer is. There’s also this thing called sex. You don't even have to talk. You just put your parts together like a jigsaw puzzle and?—”

"Fuck off," I mutter.

"I promise you'll have fun. Brook's cool." Tyler gives me a casual shrug.

"I'll be at the bar," I say through gritted teeth. I shrug his arm off my shoulder.

"Not again,” I hear him mutter quietly behind me as I walk away. "Every fucking time. Come on, it’ll be good for you!”

As I find a seat alone at the bar, I think about what I'd give for Laurel to be here. Even for one night. Fuck,one minute.What I'd give to see her face one more time. To hold her one more time. To hear her say, "I love you." Just one more time. But that will never happen.

"Happy birthday, babe.” I lift my drink in an imaginary toast.

3EAU DU TROLL-ETTE

AIMEE

“Hey, Aimee,”Dan flags me down from his spot behind the bar. “Ready to dance?” He gestures to the bar top.

I fly towards Dan as quick as my heels will allow, dragging Tate behind me. This night has been a bust. But dancing on the bar is guaranteed to resurrect it.

---