Page 104 of Catch You

“I’m not. I’m here for you.”

“Okay. Well, get up on the chair then,” I say, ready to halt my tidying up if he needs me to do something.

“Nah, not like that. We need to talk.”

“Ah,” I say, realisation hitting me. “Reese sent you?”

He shrugs and looks a little guilty. “Yes and no. There’s a bar down the street. Shall we?”

“Sure.” Abandoning my studio as it is, I follow him out.

He says his goodbyes to Snake and JJ, who looks up at him as if she’s imagining climbing him like a tree, and we head across the street.

“So, to what do I owe this pleasure?” I ask when he places two glasses and a bottle of scotch in the center of the table we’ve taken over.

“How are you doing?” Memories of our rooftop chat come back to me.

“Yeah, you know,” I say, not really explaining anything.

He blows out a breath as he swirls his glass and watches the amber liquid race around. “Harlow’s aunt died.”

My heart drops. Losing another family member is the last thing she needs.

“I know this probably isn’t what you want to hear, and it isn’t really my place to be telling you this, but … Reese can be persuasive when she wants to be. Harlow isn’t in a good place, man. I think she might need you.”

“She barely knows me,” I mutter, downing my drink in one in the hope of dulling the ache those words cause in my chest.

“She knows you enough to help you out when you need it.” He quirks an eyebrow and I groan, hating that he knows what she did. “I know you’re scared. I understand that this is bigger than just taking a chance on a girl. But you’re going to need to make a decision. Is she worth it? And if you decide she is, you need to show her. Be there for her when she needs you so that she can do the same in return when the time comes.”

I nod, unable to find the words.

Fletch gives me a moment, his attention drifting to the other side of the bar.

I want to be there for her,. I want to be the man she deserves. But can I put my issues aside for long enough to be that?

The TV behind my head changes, and it has Fletch looking up. I glance over my shoulder to see what’s got his attention and find a news report on the upcoming season.

“You all ready for it?” I ask, happy to divert the conversation away from me.

“Ready as I can be. You planning on watching some games?”

“Yeah, definitely.” I managed to get to the last few games of the season after I moved. Milo dragged me out after to celebrate their wins. I can’t lie; I’m looking forward to the season starting again and having something other than work to focus on.

His face flashes on the screen, and he sinks down in his chair a little, pulling his hat lower in the hope that no one notices him.

“You can go, if you like. You don’t need to babysit me.”

“What? Don’t be stupid. I’m not passing up a night of freedom. Actually …” He pulls his phone out and taps away for a few seconds. “Reinforcements will be here momentarily.”

“Reinforcements?”

“Yep, not that they’ll be any better with advice than I am.”

Not ten minutes later is there a commotion at the entrance, and when I look over, I spot two familiar faces heading our way.

“Linc, Handsy. You know Corey, right?”

“Sure do.” They nod before joining us.

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