Page 22 of Golden Rule

“Thanks for clearing the place out.” Before I can even finish, He’s already waving me off.

“Save that shit. There were only a handful of guys I had to kick out, and I’m sure their wives will forgive me for sending them home. Eventually”

When I laugh, it’s halfhearted because my thoughts are still on motherfucking Ira Woods. The guy has it out for me and, of course, Pandora ate that shit up.

Ricky makes his way behind the bar and whispers something to the bartender. Then, he slips him some cash before dismissing him. I assume the amount covers whatever his day’s wage would’ve been if the place were filled with patrons, like usual.

“Drinks are on me, fellas. I’m serving,” Ricky says. “What else can I get you?”

“I’ll take another beer.” Sterling pauses to pour the last drop of his current bottle into his mouth.

“Same,” Dane says, running a hand down his chin.

Theylookabout as stressed as Ifeel, so it’s no wonder they’re trying to wash that shit out of their heads with alcohol. I’m guessing this was the plan, though, which accounts for why both opted to be driven here instead of driving themselves.

“What about you, Rich Boy?” Ricky nods my way with the question.

“Just water for me.”

Smirking, he arches a brow, and I’m guessing he expected me to ask for something a whole hell of a lot stronger. God knows I wanted to.

He pops the caps off my brothers’ bottles and hands them over before giving me shit about my order. “You going soft on me? Or are you watching your figure?” he teases.

I laugh and it hits me that I’m tempted to keep my answer to his question vague. But then I remember who I’m with. Three of the most trustworthy people I know.

Definitelythree of the most trustworthy in this city.

“We don’t drink anymore.”

My words have Ricky doing that thing with his eyebrow again. “We?”

I nod. “Yeah, Blue and I gave up alcohol when we started trying for a kid. I’m sure you can guess why she has some pretty strong feelings about it.”

“Say no more,” Ricky cuts in. As one of Blue’s closest friends growing up, he saw firsthand how addiction messed up her parents.

“I haven’t touched anything stronger than soda in more than a year,” I admit with a laugh, and there’s a distant look in Ricky’s eyes. Like he’s gone back in time, reliving the memory of what Blue’s life was like back in the day.

“I support it. One-hundred percent,” he adds, confirming exactly why he’s a permanent fixture in mine and Blue’s lives.

Even if—him being my wife’s ex—I wanted to kill him back in the day.

He places a lemon wedge in my glass, then hands it over before pouring himself something from the top shelf.

“Does this mean there are changes with the baby situation?” he asks.

It doesn’t surprise me that he knows he’s one of the few people who can ask a question like that and actually get an answer.

“The subject came up last week, and… we decided to give it another try.”

Ricky smiles. “I hoped you’d say that. I know shit got hard while you two were out there in Cali by yourselves, but you’ve got all of us now.”

“I appreciate that.”

“I mean it. Whatever you guys need, whatever might make this easier, just say the word, man.”

“You already know Joss and I are here,” Dane says.

Sterling nods next. “Me and Tiff, too.”

---