Page 84 of Chasing Stars
I inhale and offer her a reassuring, albeit grim, smile. “I do, actually. Thank you.” I gesture to the kitchen and living area. Nate has taken out the trash and recycling, and now the place smells vaguely of lemon. “And thank you for cleaning up.”
“That’s what we’re here for,” Nate says, scratching the back of his head. “But you need to get your ass back in the office next week.” He raises his eyebrows at me. “Enough of this self-pity.”
“Yeah, okay.” I nod my head in agreement. “I’ll be there,” I promise.
“Speaking of next week…” My mother looks back and forth between us. “It’s Thanksgiving!” She grins. She loves Thanksgiving more than Halloween. She spends days prepping and invites her sister, brother, and their families over. It always ends up being over twenty people. Caden loves it—more kids to play with. I usually love it, too, seeing family that we don’t see often. This year though, my heart’s not in it, and it won’t be unless Jenna forgives me.
“We know, Ma,” Nate says. “We’ll be there.”
“Who else is coming?” I ask, forcing myself to sound cheerful.
My mom rattles off a list of names; it’s everyone that I expected. “And we’re starting early—two o’clock for appetizers and five thirty for dinner.”
“That…seems really long,” I mutter, glancing at Nate. He shrugs.
“Just promise you’ll show up looking like yourself, Miles,” Mom begs.
I stifle a self-deprecating laugh. “Okay, Mom. I’ll do my best.”
“We should go, Mom. Mission accomplished.” Nate looks my way. “I’m glad you’re up and around, bro.”
“Thanks,” I say, standing to clap him on the back. “I needed that.”
“You did,” Nate agrees. “But you’d have done the same for me.” He wraps me in a brotherly hug, clapping the back of my shoulder. “Now, go get her.”
Around four o’clock,I venture to The Ugly Mug, knowing my buddies will be there for Monday happy hour. I haven’t met them here in some time. Aside from last week’s wallowing, I spent every waking minute with Jenna. I haven’t even opened our group chat or filled them in on what’s been happening, but today, I could use their support.
These guys have been my friends since we were ten. They know I’m a good guy. I could stand to be around people who know me well. But also, I could really use their advice.
I park in the back alley and head inside, bracing for their inevitable jokes. I swing the door open, and a gust of wind pushes me inside. It’s quiet because it’s November. Even though the town is getting ready for the upcoming holidays, there isn’t a lot of street traffic on Monday afternoon. Still, without fail, I find my buddies in our regular corner, talking to Melanie and nursing their beers.
“Holy shit, he lives!” Jack bellows, spotting me first.
I fight back a grin, knowing there is probably more where that came from.
“Look who decided to grace us with his presence,” Danny smirks, sipping his beer.
“Yeah, yeah, I know.” I hold up my hands in defense, pulling out a bar stool next to Liam.
“I thought you were a figment of my imagination.” He elbows me with a laugh.
“She let you out of your cave, eh?” Jack asks, raising his eyebrows.
It’s now or never.
“Uh, no.” I raise my hand to flag Melanie over. “Jenna and I actually broke up. Last week.” I let my news hang in the air as Melanie comes over with my usual.
“Whoa, who died?” she asks, frowning at the four of us.
I clear my throat. “No one died. I just told the guys that Jenna and I broke up.” My voice comes out hoarse and I cough away the emotion.
“Oh man, I’m sorry,” Jack says sympathetically. “If I’d have known that I wouldn’t have made that joke.”
I shrug, scooting my stool in and taking a sip of my beer. “It’s okay. I fucked up,” I say, pushing my lips together and shaking my head.
“What could you have done?” Melanie asks, frowning. “She seemed to really like you.”
Danny stays quiet—I’m sure he’s seen Jenna and doesn’t want to comment. I eye him, wondering what he knows.
