Page 45 of All of Me

But they do. My thoughts keep circling back to Callie—how she lingered by Ruby’s bassinet this morning, adjusting the blanket even though it didn’t need fixing. The way her hands trembled as she helped Sara into her coat. She smiled, but it didn’t reach her eyes.

Luke waves to a passing waitress, signaling for another round of beers. “Alright, enough of the heavy stuff. Tonight, we’re here to fix that. No chaos. Just good drinks, good company, and bad decisions.”

“Bad decisions?” Vince smirks. “You planning to karaoke again, Luke? Because if you are, I’m recording it this time.”

Luke flips him off. “Only if you sing backup, Mitchell.”

“Don’t tempt me.”

The beers arrive, and we all raise our glasses in an unspoken toast.

“How’s Callie?” Will asks, glancing at me. “And the baby?”

“They’re good,” I say, though my chest tightens. “Callie’s had a rough week, but she’s holding it together. Ruby’s perfect.”

Hunter and Mandee, the bar’s owners, appear at our table just as Luke starts explaining his grand strategy for darts. Hunter’s cocky grin is in full effect as he sets a stack of plastic cups on the table.

“Well, if it isn’t my favorite beer pong losers,” Hunter says, his voice carrying over the din of the bar.

Mandee rolls her eyes. “Don’t let him fool you. He’s been talking about a rematch all week because he can’t handle losing.”

Hunter grins. “I let you win.”

Mandee ignores him, setting down a tray of shots. “These are on the house, but only because you boys look like you need them.”

Luke grabs one, raising it in the air. “To bad decisions.”

Vince chuckles. “To surviving the week.”

Will lifts his glass. “To good friends.”

I pause for a moment, thinking about Callie and the kids. “To the people who make it all worth it,” I say quietly.

The alcohol burns as it goes down, but it leaves a warmth that settles in my chest. For a little while, I manage to relax, joining in on the jokes and watching Luke embarrass himself at darts. Just as the night feels like it’s hitting its stride, Luke leans back in his chair and a sly grin spreads across his face. “Alright, boys, what do you say we keep this night going? Hit upThe Spank Bank?”

Will perks up. “The strip club?”

Luke shrugs. “Why not? It’s been forever, and Vince could probably use a tittle distraction.” He laughs at his own joke.

“Don’t even think about it,” Mandee says sharply, shooting Hunter a pointed look.

Hunter raises his hands innocently. “Hey, I didn’t say a word!”

Mandee narrows her eyes at him before turning her glare on Luke. “And if I catch you there, I’m telling Heather.”

Luke laughs, leaning back with his beer. “Heather wouldn’t care. Hell, she’d probably ask to join us.”

Mandee arches an eyebrow, unimpressed. “Uh-huh. You keep telling yourself that.”

I shake my head, laughing quietly. “Yeah, no chance I’m going toThe Spank Bank.Callie would lose her mind if I stepped foot in there.”

“Oh, come on,” Luke teases. “She doesn’t have to know.”

I shoot him a look. “It’s not about her knowing. It’s about the fact that another woman touching me would undo her, and honestly? I don’t want that either.”

The table falls silent for a second, the guys exchange glances.

Vince smirks. “Whipped.”

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