Page 81 of Single Chance

“Chance’s history is different from yours,” Luke pointed out. “He’s been married once. No breakups. Just a tragic end.”

“That tragic end fucked with my head,” I said honestly. “I know Erin was an addict, but what ifIwas what made her so unhappy she needed to numb herself?”

“I thought you said she got hooked after a medical procedure,” Max said.

I shrugged. “Who really knows? I don’t know how long she was on the pills. Did she start them because of physical pain like I thought? Was she already hooked when I met her? Addicts hide shit. She never came up to me and said,honey, I think I took one too many pills, and now I can’t stop.”

“I can’t imagine what you went through,” Knox said, “but Erin has nothing to do with Rowan and your current situation.”

“If there’s some chemistry, maybe you two should give it a go,” Luke said. “See what happens instead of jumping ten steps ahead and assuming it’ll be a breakup.”

“I get what you guys are saying.” I took another big gulp, let the alcohol sit on my tongue, then swallowed it, savoring that burn. I couldn’t pretend there was no chemistry between Rowan and me. It was all I could do not to repeat that kiss that never should’ve happened.

Fuck. Giving in to the attraction was tempting twenty-four seven. Was I being a dumbass to straight up rule it out? Or would it be the worst move ever to try to make it work with Rowan?

“My confidence in interpersonal relationships is in the shitter,” I told them. “I have enough trouble with Sam, and now I’ll be throwing a baby into the mix. How dumb would it be to add a woman?”

“They come with some upsides.” Knox held up his glass for a toast, grinning. “Here’s to sex on the regular.”

“Oh, see, this is where we draw the line. It should be three against two,” West said, “the singles who have to work for it versus you married and engaged fuckers. But we got romantic Luke over there who’s a unicorn and gets along with his baby mama to this day.”

“It doesn’t have to be contentious,” Luke said.

Luke and Addie’s mom had never been married. Their relationship had been brief, from what I understood. Now the mom was in the military. Luke had full-time custody, but he let Addie’s mom spend as much time with the girl as she could whenever she was on leave.

“Not everyone can get along like you and what’s-her-name,” West said.

“Do you really want to be single and lonely for the rest of your life?” Luke asked, his gaze zeroing in on me.

After Erin’s death, I’d convinced myself I wanted to be single for as long as it took to get Sam raised. I hadn’t accounted for meeting someone like Rowan.

“Truth?” I said, swirling my nearly empty glass. “I don’t know what the hell I want.”

I’d expected these guys to side with me, to have my back and easily see I had my hands full with a teenager and, soon, ababy. I’d thought they’d consider my decision to keep distance between Rowan and me a wise one.

I should’ve known better. Half our group was blissfully in love and forgot how rocky it was to start a new relationship and build it into something solid. They were there, on solid ground.

The thing was, the more I saw how happy my turncoat friends were, the more I started to want what they had for myself.

I needed to keep my wits about me and my dick in my pants until I figured out what was best, not only for me but for everyone involved.

Chapter Twenty-Six

Chance

The following Saturday night, circumstances lined up for me to treat Rowan to some fun that had nothing to do with work or babies.

Sam was at Kinsley’s for a sleepover, and this time my talk with her dad was trust-inspiring instead of the hints of concern I’d experienced on New Year’s Eve with Lacey’s mom. Rowan had napped before dinner, so she was more likely to have energy for an evening out. And I had insider info on a downtown event Rowan would love.

As we climbed into my SUV after dinner at home, it almost felt like a date, except it wasn’t. We weren’t carefree singles. We weren’t exploring a harmless attraction. We were expectant parents with a truckload of challenges to navigate. But I was ready to help her set the tough stuff aside for a few hours.

“Now are you going to tell me where you’re taking me?” Rowan asked as I backed out of the driveway.

“Not far,” was all I said, grinning because I knew that wasn’t what she was looking for.

“You’re mean. I’m not good with surprises.” She pretended to pout.

“I’m learning that.” I laughed. “Can you trust me?”

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