Page 42 of My Scorned Best Friend

“That’s okay. Come on.”

“Here, let me help.” Molly comes from around the bar.

“I already called my grandson. He can just put him in the bed of his truck,” Midge says.

I whip my head in her direction. “He’s not cattle, Midge.”

“You two aren’t going to be able to lift him,” Dori says.

“You’re going to strain something,” Ethel adds.

“Exactly why you shouldn’t have challenged him to a drinking game.” I shake my head at them.

“We were just coming in for a drink,” Dori says innocently. “Ethel was having a rough go with Hank being sick. We ran into Ben and started talking and he mentioned he’d come here to see you. Things kind of took on a life of their own. And so you know, he’s figured it out.”

I close my eyes for a beat. “I don’t even want to know.”

“He heard Nikki’s segment on Scandals of Sunrise Bay like the rest of us. You and Xavier, it’s written in the stars, dear,” Ethel says.

“You can’t deny it.” Midge pushes up her dark glasses.

“We’re just friends.”

Ben leans his head on my shoulder. “You love him, don’t you? I saw the box of pictures.”

I suck in a breath. On the shelf of my bookcase is a box that has all the pictures of Xavier and me over the years. I took them down from all around my place after he brought Giulia to Sunrise Bay.

“Pictures, Ben?” Ethel perks up in her chair.

“None of your business.” I give them my sternest look, which I don’t think is very scary.

“I’m so stupid,” he drawls drunkenly. “Of course he didn’t want me to date you when I first asked.”

“Ben, we’re going to talk. Let’s just get you to my house and sober you up, okay?”

“He’s going to have to sleep it off,” Molly tells me as if it’s not obvious.

“I know, Molly!”

Ben stands and we each help lead him to the door. Thank goodness he isn’t so drunk that he can’t walk, even if it isn’t in a straight line.

“Hold up, we’re coming to help,” Mandi shouts from down the street, rushing over with that giant grandson of Midge’s at her side. Interesting.

“Allow me,” Noah says and slides Ben’s arm over his shoulders to hold him up. “Hey, Ben, I’m a huge fan.”

“Thanks, man. You from this town?”

“Nah, the one next door, Greywall.”

“Sounds like a prison name,” Ben says, and Noah laughs.

“Felt like that sometimes. Now let’s get you home.”

They both walk ahead without us.

“I gotta go back in. Good luck with breaking the big man’s heart.” Molly runs her hand down my arm.

“What’s going on?” Mandi asks, eyes full of concern.

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