Page 106 of Crave Thy Neighbor

It’s more of aFuck off, and they both know it. They just don’t give a shit.

Dean chuckles. “Good to see you too, buddy.”

I’ve been avoiding him. Hell, I’ve been avoiding everyone. I’m grumpy and agitated. No sense in making everyone else suffer too.

“What are you doing here?”

“Donny called me,” Dean answers, nodding toward the bartender, who sets two drinks in front of the guys.

I glare at him. “The fuck, Donny?”

He holds his hands up. “Just doing my job.”

“Sticking your nose where it doesn’t belong?”

“Caring about my customers, especially the ones I like the most.” He pours me another shot. “That one is on the house. You’re welcome.”

I tip it back, grimacing as my stomach turns.

I need to slow down. I haven’t eaten today, and I’m not used to drinking like this.

Like he can read my mind, Donny sets a glass of water in front of me.

“You’re officially cut off,” he says, then he stalks away.

I don’t argue. I don’t have the energy.

It’s probably for the best though. The last thing I need is to get wasted and do something stupid like call Maya and tell her I’m in love with her.

“Hey, Dean?” Cooper says over me. “How you been lately?”

“Oh, you know, not too bad. Busy with work, but not too busy to help a friend move or go to a birthday party for the coolest kid ever.”

I grind my teeth together until it hurts.

Then I do it some more.

They think they’re so fucking clever.

“Moving? A birthday party? Wow, those both sound like pretty big deals.”

“They are. It’s important to be there for people you care about, though, so I made sure I didn’t bail. Especially since my friend…I don’t know, man. She’s so sad. She tried to put on a brave face, tried to pretend she wasn’t crying on the inside. But I could see it still.”

“Why’s she sad?”

“Because some asshole wouldn’t pull his head out of his ass and tell her he’s in love with her.”

I suck down half my water before slamming the glass back down on the counter.

“Hardy har-har. You guys are a real riot. You should start your own comedy troupe.”

“Why? You’re the one who’s a joke.”

I’m so fucking pathetic I can’t even summon my anger.

He’s right.

I am a joke.

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