Page 108 of Hard To Leave

Chapter 34

Jack

“Really, a karaoke bar?”I laughed, walking through doors at Cassie’s choice.

“Oh, whatever. It’s my first night out after not being able to drink for the past nine months. Suck it up,” Cassie said, leading the way to the bar in the back.

She had given birth to the twins a little over a month ago. Jayden and Josselyn—a boy and a girl.

Liam’s parents were in town helping out with grandkids. Apparently, having two infants was a lot more work than one. If anyone could do it, Cassie could.

My eyes moved around the room. The place was packed, and the crowd was a little on the young side, but if this is what Cassie wanted, then who was I to say no.

I leaned my body against the wood bar and threw my hand up to get the bartender’s attention.

Cassie was scanning the room, looking for a place for all of us to sit. “Why don’t you go scout out a table? I’ll get your drink,” I offered.

“Okay. I’m going to try to find something with a good view of the stage.”

Once I ordered the first round of drinks, Nick grabbed an empty barstool and dragged it next to me.

I stared down at my phone while he leaned back in the chair. “So how’s the single life treating you?”

My fingers paused on the email I was just about to send. I’ve been in a dark place since I got back from the Carolinas. Nick has been constantly riding my ass, giving me a dose of his tough love, reminding me what a selfish idiot I was. He was pushing my buttons, and I was getting sick of his bullshit.

“Don’t you have better things to do than ask about my relationship status on a daily basis? It’s starting to get a little old.”

He rolled up the sleeves of his dress shirt, looking all smug. “It depends. Are you ready to admit that you’re a dumbass for walking away from the best thing that’s ever happened to you?”

What a fucker he was. He was taunting me about owning up to my stupidity. “You’re a persistent son of a bitch. I’ll give you that.” The server set our drinks down in front of us. I picked up my tumbler and paused. “If this is your genius plan on trying to be a good friend and helping me work through my shit, you suck.”

He laughed. “Hey, that’s what friends are for.”

I stared at him, resisting the urge to punch him in the balls. “You really need to find a hobby, Dr. Phil.”

“No, you need to get your head out of your ass. You had a good thing going, and you just threw it all away because your ego was too big and bruised.” I rolled my eyes as he continued his rant. “You know, you weren’t always the sharpest tool in the shed, but, somehow you managed to find a woman who put up with your shit.”

I pretended to ignore him while I snapped my fingers, signaling to the bartender to hurry up with the rest of our order. “I understand your need to protect yourself. And I know in that small pea-sized brain of yours, you think you’re doing the right thing.”

I narrowed my eyes at him. One of the things I hated about Nick was that he gave advice more than he listened. And his advice meant shit to me. It wouldn’t change the fact that Chloe lied to me. It wouldn’t change the fact that Tanner would never be mine. It wouldn’t change the fact that her ex wanted her back. And it certainly didn’t change the fact that I didn’t trust her anymore. “It’s not just about that, damn it,” I tried to explain. “Everything has fucking changed. I feel like the rug has been swept out from under me.”

He placed his hand on my shoulder. “I get you, believe me, I do, but brother, I am here to tell you that your time for thinking and sulking is over. I never saw you as happy as when you were with Chloe. If there is the slightest chance that you could forgive her, I would suggest figuring your shit out before it’s too late.”

My whole body locked up at his words. I was seething thinking about how I practically shoved her into Brogan’s arms. Didn’t he know how fucked up I was feeling over all this? Did he have any idea how hard it was for me to walk away from her?

“You done getting everything off your chest? Or are you going to stand here all night and be a dick?

He shrugged, his eyes never leaving mine. “I’ve said my piece, got you in a shitty mood, now it’s time to get you wasted.”

The bartender came over and placed the rest of our order on the counter. “Anything else I can get for you?”

I smirked, fetching the drinks off the bar. “Nope, but you can put everything on his tab.”

I turned my back and gave Nick the finger over my shoulder as I walked over to our table.

Cassie scooted over in the booth to make room for me. She snatched her Cosmo out of my hand. “It’s about time. I’m thirsty. If I had known it was going to take that long, I would have ordered two of these babies.” She tipped her glass back and chugged half the drink. If she didn’t slow down, she was going to feel like shit tomorrow.

“Easy there, lush. You haven’t had any alcohol in almost nine months. I don’t want to have to worry about you throwing up all over my lap when I carry your ass to the car.”

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